Evening Republican, Volume 14, Number 32, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 7 February 1910 — STRAD FOR A PRESENT. [ARTICLE]

STRAD FOR A PRESENT.

FMladelphta Woman Gives Costly lastrament to Young VlpUnlut. • Few violinists, even after they become great, own a Stradlvarius, but this good fortune has fallen to Domenico Bove, the young Italian of this city, whose pareer, which many believe will 'rival Kubelik’s, has scarcely begun, the Philadelphia Bulletin says. Mqst interesting of all is the fact that thiku musical treasure was the property of the late Antonin Dvorak, the composer, frotn whose widow the violin was recently purchased by Mrs. Joseph Drexel, and by her presented to the youthful Bove. Mrs. Drexel is widely known as a patron of musics and, interested as she has been in the young violinist’s ca r reer, It is but naturab-that she should choosq him for the honor of owning the Stradlvarius. Surety nothing could be a greater inspiration to a violinist than the possession- ot such a priceless thing. «•; §uch things have prices, and high ones, too, for it is whispered that Mrs. Drexel paid $15,000 for the instrument, which gives the layman an idea of what such a gift means in prosaic dollars and cents. . Mrs. Drexel made light of the matter when asked recently about' the gift to her protege. "Although naturally averse to parting with this souvenir of her husband, L learned ’recently that Mme. Dvorak was .willing to sell the instrument,” said Mrs. Drexel, “and when it came into my possession I naturally looked about for some one who could use it properly, since I could not play it myself.” Bove is now in Prague, Bohemia, where it Is understood the violin was transmitted to him. Mme. Dvorak resides In Prague. The young violinist Is making rapid progress, according to reports received by his friends in this city. A son of poor Italians in the southern section of this city, Domenico early manifested an inherited ability to plqy she fiddle, both his parents gaining a livelihood thereby. Then Frederick E. Harn, the widely known Violinist of this city, became Interested In the lad and gave him lessons.. His undoubted ability and his proficiency In mastering the most difficult technique of the aft aroused the Interest of several wealthy patrons, who, It Is understood, made It possible for him to go aoroad to finish his musical education. Several of the foremost musicians tn this city declare that Bove will become a second Kubelik.