Bull

Bull, OLE BORNEMANN, a famous violinist, was born 5th February 1810, at Bergen, in Norway. His father's opposition only deepened his natural passion for music. In 1829 he went to study under Spohr at Cassel, but was so coldly received that he betook himself to Göttingen to study law. But music soon asserted its mastery over him, and an acquaintance with Paganini gave him the impulse that he needed. He accompanied his master to Paris, but here his fortune sunk so low that he thought of drowning himself in the Seine. The patronage of a lady of rank saved him, and soon he rose to fame as a violinist. His style of playing was in some respects like that of Paganini. He was received in Italy with prodigious enthusiasm, and after visiting England, Scotland, and Ireland, he made a tour of triumph through Russia, Germany, and Norway. In 1844 he sailed to America, whence he returned three years later. In 1855 he went out once more, and made enormous sums by his concerts, much of which he lost by unfortunate land speculations, especially an attempt to found a colony of Scandinavians in Pennsylvania. This turned out a complete fiasco, and once more Bull had to take to his violin. He afterwards paid a third visit to the United States, but returned to end his days in Europe. He died at his villa near Bergen, 17th August 1880. If it is not true that he was half charlatan, half genius, it may be said with truth that he was quite as much a bizarre virtuoso as a great artist. His compositions have had but little reputation apart from his own playing. See the Memoir by Sara C. Bull (1886).