When Backhaus Went to the War

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 676, 30 May 1929, Page 14

When Backhaus Went to the War

“FOUGHT” AS WAITER PLAYED FOR ALLIES The return of Wilhelm Backhaus to London has recalled his first post-war appearance before a British audience which took place at the Deutsches Theatre, Cologne, then the home of the British Rhine Army Dramatic Company. Captain J. H. Haygarth, the Rhine Army Amusements Officer, discovered Backhaus in Cologne, and completed arrangements with him to give five recitals to Rhine Army audiences. Three were given at the Deutsches Theatre, one at Solingen, and another at Euskirchen. Backhaus “fought” against the Allied Armies as a waiter in an officers* mess of the German Army. By day the great pianist peeled potatoes, did kitchen work of all descriptions, and pondered if he would lose his magic

touch. After dinner he was taken into the mess and made to play the piano for the officers. Gone were his prewar flowing locks, gone his delicate hands and fingers—in 1919. He looked to have hands like a navvy, and his head was close-cropped like that of a convict. When he appeared at the Deutsches Theatre those who noticed his hands wondered if that magic touch was still there. Within a few seconds of taking his seat at the instrument he dispelled all doubt. His hands today are those of a great artist, but one wonders how loi g it took to reduce his coarsened fingers to their normal state.