Walker-My_Musical_Ex.. - Walter Cosand

96 MY MUSICAL EXPERIENCES
ances then going on at his house. He at once wrote
me a very kind reply in French on his visiting-card,
telling me ' to come, at all events,' and listen. It may
be imagined that the invitation so kindly given was
gratefully and gladly accepted ; and, in compliment, I
believe, to Sgambati, he invariably gave me a seat
near his own, where I could see his hands as he
played, and catch every word he said. How I wish
that I had written down what I heard and saw during
those eventful weeks ! All, however, that I can be
sure of remembering quite accurately I shall relate as
simply as possible.
The prominent pianists at the reunions during the
weeks when I was ' a listener there ' were Eeisenauer,
Katy Eanuschewitz, Silotti, Paul Eckhoff, Praulein
Eichter, and Amina Goodwin (of Manchester). The
first of these (Eeisenauer) had for several years
followed Liszt wherever he went, and it happened
pretty often that when Liszt was himself disinclined
to show some of the less-advanced pupils the reading
he wished to be given to a piece, he would depute this
task to Eeisenauer. The same honour fell very often
also to the share of Henselt's pupil, Mademoiselle
Eanuschewitz. Silotti was evidently a great favourite
with Liszt, and it was very pleasing to see how warmly
the venerable Meister greeted the young artist after the
latter had been a week absent at Baireuth. Liszt's
whole face lighted up as Silotti came eagerly forward
and kissed his hand ; there exists a very charming