Scan 82
Biographical Sketches and Anecdotes of Celebrated Violinists, 1877
4 lines. Read by computer on 3 September 2026. No printed page number was found. See the scan on archive.org.
1little or no music in his soul, Pugnani stopped short when the latter had the bad taste to continue his conversation, remarking at the same time: "M. de Voltaire is very clever in making verses, but as regards music he is devilishly ignorant!" This was a curious speech in the mouth of a pupil of Tartini!
3Some have accused Pugnani of being exceedingly conceited. What great artiste has not in some degree the same failing? Is it not rather legitimate in those who have risen to the highest pinnacles of fame? There is no doubt that during his stay in Paris he excited a considerable amount of jealousy in various quarters; if he had been a Frenchman he would have been lauded to the skies, and perhaps had a monument in the Louvre—but an Italian! The fact is, poor Pugnani was annoyed not a little in the French capital; he received various nicknames, and a young painter, who lived on the same floor, went so far as to take advantage of the somewhat large nose of the Italian violinist. This feature in the face of a virtuoso is of less importance, practically speaking, than a large chin, whereby the instrument can be firmly held.
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