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[These excerpts appeared in
Reminiscences, Impressions & Anecdotes,
London, Sampson Low, Marston & Company, 1913, pages 121, 122, 215.
The author is Professor Francesco Berger
(June 10th 1834 - April 25th 1933).
This web version is dated 7 February 2006.]
Chapter 8. SOME MUSICAL CELEBRITIES I HAVE KNOWN
p.121
(23) PACHMANN
Nothing can be more ridiculous than to assert
that Pachmann excels in Chopin because he is a
Pole.
That he plays Chopin beautifully is true, but
"nationality" has nothing to do with it; probably
Chopin appeals to him especially—he likes it—he
feels in sympathy with it—anything you like;
but nationality—no. I have heard him in Schumann
and in Weber, and both were equally well
played. He is accurate to the point of fastidiousness,
and his effects are all well thought out,
although they sound so spontaneous. Technically
there is no flaw in his performance, though I do not
always agree with his "reading", even in Chopin.
His originalities on the platform are part and
parcel of his personality, and the little speeches
he addresses to his audiences make his "Recitals"
quite unique.
p.122
His clever pupil, Maggie Oakey , was a very
promising English Pianiste,
and had she continued
her public career would undoubtedly have risen
to a very high position in her profession. She has
introduced several of my Pieces in Paris, where she
now resides, having married Maître Labori, the
well-known advocate, who made such a stir by his
defence of Dreyfus.
[p.215]
Chapter 18. "PATENT" METHODS
Among Paderewski, . . . , Pachmann, . . . , Borwick,
you will not find one who has been
trained on any "new-fangled Method"; und damit
"Punktum" .