AN ASTONISHING PERSONALITY

New Zealand Times, Volume LIII, Issue 12609, 20 November 1926, Page 14

AN ASTONISHING PERSONALITY

PROFESSOR FRANCESCO j BERGER i Certainly one of the most astonishing \ personalities in the field of music is Professor Francesco Berger, of London, 1 whose articles upon various classes of music continually appear in loading pub- 1 lications abroad and in “The Etude Musta Magazine.” Professor Berger was , born in London over 92 years ago. Do- ; spite his generous years, he is still actively engaged in teaching in London, and is very vigorous, as the youthful spirit of his articles indicates. Among his teachers were Ainritz Hauptmann (1792-1868) and Louis Piaidy (1810-1874). He knew Moscheles, David and Drey- ' i

aiiiniiiiuiiiaiißiEßiiiutiiaiiiiiiiiaiiiiißiiaHßiiiniiißiiiitifiiitfsiat schock well. He started teaching in London long before the Civil War in the United States. One of lim most intimate friends was Charles Dickens, for whom Professor Berger wrote much incidental music to accompany the dramatic events in which Dickens was always interested. In 1886 Professor Berger became a member of the faculty of the Royal College of Music, and in 1887 also a member of the faculty of the Guildhall College of Music. He has given numerous tours as a pianist, written numbers of successful songs and pianoforte pieces, and has recently published an excellent set of little pieces for the left hand. Professor Berger looks out upon the world through optimistic eyee and with a warm heart