EUGENIO MAURICIO DENGREMONT.
Mauricio Dengremont, whose portrait is here given, is only fourteen years old; but he has been playing the violin for eight years or more, and is now one of the best violinists living. He knew the A B C of music at an age when most boys have hardly had a glimpse at the A B C in their spelling-book. His musical talent, like that of many famous musicians, showed itself early in his life. Mozart, we are told, struck correct chords on the clavichord—as they called the pianos used in his days—when he was two years old, and when he was four, he wrote little melodies which sound very prettily. Mauricio Dengremont's fondness for music was observed at the same early age. His father led an orchestra in Rio de Janeiro, and played the violin, and when he was playing at home, little Mauricio, who was four years old, would sit at his feet and listen, and he could not be induced to join in the sports of other children as long as his father was practicing. Then already he asked to be taught, but he was laughed at, and told he was too young to learn. But he would not be put off, and kept coming to his father and asking for lessons on the violin. At last, when he was six years old—the same age at which Mendelssohn began to learn the piano—his father bought him a toy violin for twenty cents, and thought he would give him a lesson, just to see if he was in earnest. Before that, however, he told him how hard he would have to work if he wanted to be a musician. But Mauricio said he didn't mind working, he wanted to learn the violin just as soon as he could. Fancy the father's surprise when he found during the first lesson that Mauricio played his notes correctly and clearly.
The boy made such wonderful progress that after a few lessons a larger violin was bought for him. In a few weeks he could play the scales, and in ten months he was practicing difficult pieces, one of which he performed in public fourteen months after his first lesson. Soon afterward he travelled with his father in South America, giving concerts. In Montevideo and Buenos Ayres he played so well that the orchestras there presented him each with a gold medal. These youthful triumphs were very much like those of Mozart; and in the midst of them, Mauricio, like Mozart, remained a child in his feelings and behavior. Mozart was so innocent that after one of his performances at court, when he slipped on the polished floor, and was lifted up by the Empress Maria Theresa of Austria, he said that he would marry her as soon as he was old enough. In the same way Mauricio's manners remained unchanged, though he was brought before the public when so young. Off the concert stage he remained a child, playing with children, and sharing in their pastime when he was not practicing. Only a short time ago, immediately after his arrival here, his first appearance had to be postponed because he had caught cold playing with snow-balls; and again he was prevented from being at a concert because he had been eating too much candy.
The success of Mauricio's concerts in South America attracted the notice of Dom Pedro, the Emperor of Brazil, and he was asked to play before his Imperial Highness. Dom Pedro was so pleased with the boy's performance that he gave him a beautiful medal, and promised to give him a good sum of money every year, so that he could go to Paris and take lessons of the famous violin-player Léonard. Dengremont's father accepted the offer, and soon afterward he took the boy to Europe. Mauricio staid in Paris until two or three years ago, when he began to travel and give concerts. Everywhere he played he met with great success. People came to his concerts in great crowds, and applauded him loudly; for he won their hearts with his beautiful playing and modest behavior. In one of the German cities he played a piece by Spohr when the composer's widow was one of the listeners. Spohr himself was a very famous violinist, but the widow said that Dengremont played the piece better than her husband could have done, and gave him a piece of music in her husband's handwriting.
Dengremont has been in this country only a short time, but he has already made a good name for himself. Almost every one who has heard him admires the rapidity and delicacy of his playing, and the grace with which he handles the bow. All this he does in a manner which would be remarkable for a man of great talent, who had been studying the violin ever since he was able to hold the instrument, and yet he is not at all conceited. He does not think he has nothing more to learn. On the contrary, he will go to Paris in the spring, and study again with Léonard for six months. After that he will give concerts in Russia.
To young people Mauricio Dengremont's career is a fine example. Of course he has greater talent for music than hundreds of others. But it is not his talent only to which he owes his early fame. It is owing as well to his devotion to his art, his willingness to work, and his modesty, which makes him feel that there is still room for him to improve.
