Books › Musical Courier 1907-10-02: Vol 55 Iss 14, 1907 › scan 22
Scan 22
Musical Courier 1907-10-02: Vol 55 Iss 14, 1907
34 lines. Read by computer on 23 September 2026. Printed page 23. See the scan on archive.org.
1FRANCIS MACMILLEN READY FOR A LONG AMERICAN TOUR.
3Francis Macmillen's arrival on the American line steamship New York, last Saturday afternoon, was a convincing refutation of the report that the violinist, while climbing Mount Blanc, last summer, was overtaken by an avalanche and immolated upon a tomb of ice in the Alpine fastnesses. When Macmillen stepped down the gangplank with Madame Rosina van Dyk, the soprano, and Richard Hageman, the pianist, who were his traveling companions across the ocean, he was met by his brothers and F. W. Haensel, his manager. On the pier awaiting his arrival were a number of musician friends and several newspaper men. A few hours later the violinist was chatting pleasantly in his apartments at Hotel Grenoble.
5"Our passage across the Atlantic was exceedingly rough, owing to bad weather," Mr. Macmillen said. "At this season of the year it always is rough, I presume. Everybody on the New York, excepting the ship's officers and the sailors, was seasick. I was in the throes of mal de mer nearly all the time. So, of course, practicing was out of the question. I recovered sufficiently, however, to play several pieces in the concert Thursday night and was gratified at the success achieved under such disadvantageous conditions. I find that during the trip across I lost a few pounds. Doubtless this loss of flesh I shall soon recover.
7"It is hardly necessary for me to express the keen pleasure I feel to find myself again in New York among my kinsfolk and friends. So deeply attached am I to my native land, that it is my wish and definite purpose to some day return to the United States for permanent residence. This day, however, is somewhat distant, I fear. I have much work to do before then. My concert plans involve tours through France, Germany, Spain, Italy, Russia and Australia. Already I have engagements in France which will keep me busy a good while. You know I did a great deal of playing in Great Britain last summer. Some of the most compositions in smaller forms by Debussy, which will be novelties to concert goers.
9"Rosina van Dyk and Richard Hageman, who were associated with me in concert work in London and elsewhere on the other side, are members of the company that will go with me on the long tours scheduled by Haensel & Jones. This will carry me to many cities which I have never visited. So far as I can ascertain, it will be one of the most extended tours ever undertaken by a violinist in the United States."
11MACMILLEN AND HERR RICHARD HAGEMAN, HIS ACCOMPANIST, ON THE RIVER RHONE.
13BUST OF FRANCIS MACMILLEN.
15MACMILLEN IN THE SOUTH OF FRANCE.
17On a jaunt through the hills with a party of friends, all well-known musicians. Macmillen is standing next to the lady on the left of the picture.
19"What violin will you play?" asked THE MUSICAL COURIER representative.
21"The same one I played last season," Macmillen replied, "and the one I hope to play the remainder of my life. It is the glorious Stradivarius that was presented to me several years ago by Lady Palmer, of London. It was purchased by her through the house of Hart for $8,000 and its authenticity is guaranteed by this celebrated institution. It is regarded as one of the six greatest 'Strads' in existence, and doubtless is worth a good deal more than the price paid for it. One thing I do know—I would not part with it for any monetary consideration whatever. Why, I venerate, love this noble instrument. It is almost a part of myself. I have tested this violin under every
23MACMILLEN'S LEFT HAND.
25MACMILLEN'S $8,000 STRADIVARIUS VIOLIN.
27Presented to him by Lady Palmer, wife of Sir Walter Palmer, Member of Parliament.
29brilliant successes I ever achieved were accomplished in London a short while ago. It is a pleasure and satisfaction to know that year by year my following in London increases. I presume this may be attributed to the fact that I am constantly developing in my art. I think this will be recognized by the American audiences that hear me during my forthcoming tour.
31"I will confine myself on this tour to recital work, not appearing at all with orchestras. So the great concertos which I have in my repertory will lie in abeyance, so to speak. My programs will contain, however, some meritorious works which I am sure have never been played in this country. For example, I will present some beautiful
33LADY PALMER.
The computer misreads some letters and numbers. Where a name matters to you, read the scan.