Henselt

[jas]

Hi all,

Quick question. Does anyone know if Henselt ever visited Paris? If you have a reliable source for it that would be even better.

Thanks,

Jas

[thalbergmad]

Although he spent the bulk of his time in St Petersberg, i would have thought that he did visit Paris in his younger days, as it was the centre of European music activity in the 1830's.

Saying that, just casually looking at a few cd sleve notes and short excerpts about him in books on pianists, I can find no mention of him in Paris.

Thal

[prometheus]

When I saw this topic I was tempted to post: "Surely he must have met Paris. Paris was the cultural capital of the world. And this during 'the golden age of piano'. But I found that was not helpful as it is purely speculation.

The fact that this question is asked mas suggest that the answer is hard to find. And that may imply he actually never visited Paris. Surely travelling large distances just before the start of the industrial revolution was something unusual. Even important people didn't travel around the world, or even Europe.

[Barbosa-piano]

  I would not doubt... He was born in Germany, he visited England, and most importantly, Liszt heard him play, and Liszt was centered in Paris for a long period. But I could be wrong, of course. I agree with prometheus, if he had gone to Paris, he would likely amaze the Parisian crowds, and the event would be recorded in some way.

[jas]

I thought the same as what you all have said; that he must have visited Paris, since it's what all pianists did then. But I can find no record of it anywhere. I suppose his fear of public performance meant he didn't feel the need, but I still find it surprising that he wouldn't have gone.

Thanks for your replies.

Jas