The Academy, as we know, was not founded; but the seed—the
thought—was at that time planted. Since then it has grown and
matured, and to–day we have a body of artists and composers, and
quite another musical culture ready to receive it.
From 1863 to 1867 Ole Bull gave concerts in Germany, Poland, and Russia.
He was honored in Berlin and Copenhagen by special festivities. In
Copenhagen, at a banquet given by the “Norse Union,” the eminent Danish
poet, Carl Ploug, proposed the toast to “the king of the realm of art.”
He traveled in Russia during the seasons of 1866–1867. He used to say
that no professional trip ever gave him more pleasure, and he would not
venture to repeat it. He wrote a musical friend in Christiania, from
Königsberg, June 4, 1866, as follows:—
It was strange that the notice of my death should have been dated
the 10th of April, the very day that a silver music–rest was
presented to me by the students of Moscow. I had given a concert
for them, on which occasion we had made a great demonstration,
because of the attempted assassination. How fortunate that it all
turned out so well! The students had asked me to lead them, and I
began by calling on the people (the first time it had been done!)
to sing the royal hymn....
I have sent two Arabian horses from St. Petersburg: one black, by
name Godolfin; the other Caraguese, a golden bronze with black
mane and tail. They are of different breed, the black being
south–Arabian blood, and the other Persian–Arabian. You will also
see a beautiful violoncello[20] which will make your mouth water,
as well as a glorious Antonius and Hieronimus Amati; I have also
bought a Joseph Guarnerius in Moscow....
[20] The violoncello was given by Ole Bull to this same friend.