Walker-My_Musical_Ex.. - Walter Cosand

TAUSIG 41
ing to me again and again. But there were ever so
many hindrances in the way—too many, at least, for
anyone to surmount who was not strong-willed enough
to carry all before her.
My mother and I called on Tausig, to thank him
for his great courtesy to us. We found him at home,
and were at once asked to walk in. He looked quite
pleased to see us, and spoke of wishing to visit
London. He told us that Mr. Ella had invited him
to come and play at the Musical Union ;
' but one
engagement would not afford me sufificient inducement
to undertake the journey,' he said. ' Nor would it
suit my position as an artist to visit London and play
only at the Union. If the Philharmonic invite me
over, then it will be worth my while, otherwise London
will never see me.' Tausig then asked how I liked
his playing, and looked so genial when I told hina
what had pleased me most, that I actually had the
audacity to say that I wished I could hear him play
Bach. ' The greatest player of Bach's music is Hans
von Biilow, pianist to the Austrian court,' was his
rejoinder :
' but you shall hear me play Bach, made-
moiselle, if you and your mother care to come here
on next Sunday afternoon.' 'We English do not
visit or go to concerts on Sunday,' said my mother
and then there was a pause. Tausig looked at me,
and seeing probably that I was disappointed, seemed
to be considering for a moment or two, and then
named the afternoon of the following Friday. My
;