1920 3:23
- Ornstein 3 0 3 67
1892-2002
1916 3:31 - Novaes 0 1 0 11
1895-1979
1921 4:07
Note: The numerals 1 represent a low level, 2 a medium level and 3 a high level.
MANSFELDT
Hugo Mansfeldt was born in 1844 and died in 1932. His first letter to Liszt was dated
‘San Francisco, California, September 22, 1880’. He wrote:
‘Franz Liszt, Reverend Sir,
... I am 35 years old. My parents came to this country when I was a mere child. I never
saw a piano until I was 13 years old; then I received 3 months instruction, and as my
parents were too poor to continue my music lessons, they were stopped, and ever
afterwards my own intelligence and talent were the only teachers I had. My only
drawback has been that I never had time to practice to any extent, but a fortunate hand,
quick reading, good memory and talent enabled me to accomplish a great deal with little
practice. Up to my 16th year my entire time was taken up with school studies, after that I
had to help support our family by teaching piano; then I married very young, at the age of
19, and had to help support a growing family. I soon became a well-known teacher and
my entire time was taken up in teaching; at this moment I am teaching every day for 10
hours; so you can imagine I have very little time for practice. I was 20 years old when I
was electrified by seeing a few of your compositions for the first time. I commenced
practicing them and am so carried away that everything else seems tame after them.
Their fire and magical effects seemed to suit me exactly. (I have been called your apostle
in this far-off country, California; I am the only one in this state who plays your
compositions ...’
Source: Franz Liszt: The Final Years 1861-1886: Alan Walker, pages 470, 471.
Mansfeldt wrote to Carl Lachmund on 6 March 1917:
‘... It was April 27, 1884 that Bösendorfer in Vienna took me to visit Liszt, who
happened to be staying a few days at the house of his relative (I forget the exact name)
[Frau Henriette Liszt]). Liszt then invited me to visit him in Weimar. Three days later
found me in Weimar where I stayed until about September 1st, when I went to meet my
family (wife and children) in Hamburg, due to arrive there from San Francisco. We went
there to Dresden, where I expected to make my home, but fate compelled me to return to
California.’