Child Musical Prodigies: Eugène-Maurice Dengrement (Brazil, 1867-93)


Figure 1.-- The portrait of Brazilian violin prodigy Eugène-Maurice Dengrementwas taken by E. Bieber in Hamburg, Germany. It is undated, but was probably take in 1879 when Eugène-Maurice was 12-12 years old. He was on a European tour. He wears a jacket with a diagonal cut and knee pants. I thin that with his floppy bow he wears the medal presented to him by the Brazilian Emperor. He has long hair which rather unusually has been done up rather thn allowed to fall.

Eugène-Maurice was born in Rio de Janeiro during 1867. He was considered by some music experts one of the most promising young violinists of the 19th century. His father was a French musician who emigrated to Brazil. He began giving his son lessons sons at an early age. At age 8 years, Eugène-Maurice performed at a concert. The Brazilian orchestra was reportedly so delighted with his playing that its members gabe him a medal. The Brazilian emperor added an imperial crown. He was warmly received in London at a Crystal Palace performance when he was 12 years old in 1879. Dengremont never fulfilled, however, his early promise.

Parents

Eugène-Maurice's father was a French musician who emigrated to Brazil. His mother was Brazilian.

Childhood

Eugène-Maurice Dengrement was born in Rio de Janeiro during 1867.

Child Prodigy

Eugène-Maurice began receiving lessons from his father at an early age. At age 8 years, Eugène-Maurice performed at a concert. The Brazilian orchestra was reportedly so delighted with his playing that its members gabe him a medal. The Brazilian emperor added an imperial crown. [Lahee] He was further tutored by Léonard,

Clothing

We have several images of Eugène-Maurice on his European tours. His clothes in contrastto his hair style seem fairly standard. Eugène-Maurice in a portrait taken in Hamburg during his European tour wears a cut-away jacket with a diagonal cut and knickers. I thin that with his floppy bow he wears the medal presented to him by the Brazilian Emperor. The suit looks fairly standard for European, perhaps French, boys at the time. We have not seen that diagonal cut in America. I see no particularly Brazilian stylistic elements. Just fairly stanfdard European styles. We assume that in the 19th cebntury that Brazilian boys from affluent families would have drssed like European boys. Portugal would of course been the major influence, at least in Brazil. We see him wearing a more stadard cutaway jacket for a performance in Paris. This one was done in Paris, but seems to have the same white sailor collar that we see in Hamburg.

Hair

Eugène-Maurice has long hair which rather unusually has been done up rather thn allowed to fall. We have never seen a hair arranrment quite lke it. We have seen prodigis with their hair done in bangs and ringlet curls, nd other childish looks, but never quite like this. we re not even sure how to describe it. Nor or we sure if this is wht mother decided on whle still in Brazilor when Eugène-Maurice began traveling in Europe. W note that he continued with thi hir style even as a teenager. H looks to be about 10-1 years old here (figure 1). Bit there are subsequent portraits showing him with the same elaborate hair style.

Europe (1878-79)

Eugène-Maurice performed in Berlin, Vienna, and other continental cities before performingbin London. He was warmly received in London at a Crystal Palace performance when he was 12 years old in 1879. One journalist wrote, "... the first appearance in this country of a violinist of whom England and the world will no doubt here a great deal more. M. Maurice Dengremont [the first M. stands for ‘Master’, according to an announcement of the forthcoming concert the previous week] to whom we briefly referred on a previous occasion, is said to be only 12 years of age, and his appearance decidedly tends to confirm the statement. He might, indeed, be easily passed off for a boy of ten, and among the precedents for such a “pious fraud” – too frequent in the annals of music – the case of Beethoven himself might be cited. .... M. Dengremont played Mendelssohn’s concerto for the violin, and work excellent adapted to tax the mechanical as well as the intellectual capabilities of an artist to their utmost limits. In the former respect the new violinist evinced a degree of proficiency little short of perfection…… The fact is that as regards the technical mastery of his instrument M. Dengremont has very little, if anything, to learn, his bowing being as firm, and his intonation as pure, as that of the greatest violinist now living. The only thing he wants is physical strength to give fullness to his tone in the long-drawn notes of a slow movement. ….. He has all the qualities which go to make an artist of the the first order, provided they are employed in the right direction. Thirty-five years ago Joachim, then also a boy of 12, made his début in London, and of that event some among the audience last Saturday were reminded. M. Dengremont cannot do better than follow the example suggested by the coincidence." [The Times]

America (1880)

Eugène-Maurice about 1880 performed in America (about 1880).

Adult Career

Dengrement was considered by some music experts one of the most promising young violinists of the 19th century. He never fulfilled, however, his early promise. Dengremont was compared with Sarasate and Wilhelmj. He did not have, however, a notable adult career. Obe historian reports, "... all that could be said about him was that he might have developed into a player of their rank. As it was, he disappointed his admirers, and died while still quite young." [Lahee] Little infotmation is availavle on his after is performances in Europe and America. One report suggestss that he fell victim to "dissipation". [Lahee] A brief obituary read, "Maurice Dengremont, violin virtuoso, formerly a traveling prodigy. As such he appeared in London in 1879, when he created the greatest enthusiasm. This paper referred to him after his first appearance at the Crystal Palace as “a remarkable musical genius having great future before him,” and expressed a hope that his powers might not be unduly forced lest he should share the fate of so many youthful prodigies, and develop in to a very ordinary man. Our fears have, alas! been more than justified, for poor Maurice Dengremont died at Buenos Ayres a complete wreck, both physically and mentally. A terrible warning to parents and agents of the many prodigies now before the public. He was only twenty-seven."

Sources

Lahee, Henry C. Famous Violinists of Today and Yesterday (1899).

The Times (October 7, 1879).

The Musical Times (October 1, 1893).







HBC






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Created: 5:04 AM 9/20/2007
Last updated: 7:18 PM 10/16/2015