RedGage

It is a somewhat singular fact that the first American pianist to attain distinction in Europe should have been also the first to introduce Chopin's music in America. At that time our country was in the very beginning of its artist growth. Chicago was a swamp, and St. Louis a small town, when, in 1829, New Orleans gave us a little one who was to become the pioneer American pianist

The father, Edward Gottschalk, had come to this country in his youth, and, settling in New Orleans, had married a French Creole lady. Louis was the oldest of their five children, and loved music so dearly that when he was but three years old he was able to play on the piano a melody he had heard. He was placed under a good teacher, as soon as his strength would permit, and by the time he was six had made such progress upon the piano that he was also given instruction on the violin, and was soon able to play pieces of more than ordinary difficulty.

They tell us that at the age of eight the child gave a benefit concert to assist an unfortunate violin player. After he grew older, while he had many faults, he was always kind and generous to
those in need. So that it is pleasant to read that this first concert was successful; and it brought the little Louis into prominence as a child prodigy. The parents were very anxious to send him to Paris for instruction, and this was finally accomplished in 1842, when he was thirteen. He was first under the teaching of Charles Halle, later under Stamaty, then the ablest professor in the city.

A year later, at fourteen, he began the study of harmony and counterpoint. He had two aunts in Paris, who were titled ladies, countesses, so that he was much petted in aristocratic society. but
the future composer of the "Last Hope" worked hard, beyond his strength, and had a severe attack of typhoid fever. After he recovered, and had a little vacation, he returned to Paris, and
became the pupil of Hector Berlioz. Under this master the young Gottschalk devoted himself to study so completely that he even declined an invitation from the Spanish Queen to become a guest of the court at Madrid. However, in his twentieth year, 1848, a second invitation came from Spain. And when Louis Gottschalk, an art prodigy from the then land of musical savages, arrived at Madrid he was made a guest at the royal palace, quite like the things that happen in a fairy story.By Ruth Searleadd ons Mission0ps.



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