Bok was early attracted by the abilities of Josef Hofmann. In 1898, he
met the pianist, who was then twenty-two years old. Of his musical
ability Bok could not judge, but he was much impressed by his unusual
mentality, and soon both learned and felt that Hofmann's art was deeply
and firmly rooted. Hofmann had a wider knowledge of affairs than other
musicians whom Bok had met; he had not narrowed his interests to his
own art. He was striving to achieve a position in his art, and,
finding that he had literary ability, Bok asked him to write a
reminiscent article on his famous master, Rubinstein.
This was followed by other articles; the publication of his new
mazurka; still further articles; and then, in 1907, Bok offered him a
regular department in the magazine and a salaried editorship on his
staff.
Bok's musical friends and the music critics tried to convince the
editor that Hofmann's art lay not so deep as Bok imagined; that he had
been a child prodigy, and would end where all child prodigies
invariably end--opinions which make curious reading now in view of
Hofmann's commanding position in the world of music.
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