Further Interests
Braun's fondest interests were the study of natural sciences and particularly astronomy and mineralogy. His fine collection of minerals and meteorites was donated to the Museum of Natural History in Vienna (Naturhistorisches Museum) after his death. In one last transaction before the collapse of the Monarchy, the museum manages to purchase over the years 1906-07 the magnificent collection of Staatsrath Freiherr von Braun (totaling more than 2,500 items, doublets not included).
He was in close relation with the Austrian Geological Society and when the Austro-Hungarian North Pole Expedition ended, one of the discovered islands was named after him “Braun Island”. This name can be found in old maps of the time.
His passion for music began in early childhood, and he proved to be an excellent pianist, singer and composer . In 1867, during an official reception offered by Napoleon III in the castle Compiègne near Paris, Braun was asked by Empress Eugénie to play the piano and to sing. Princess Pauline de Metternich describes this moment in her book “My years in Paris”. (""... The Empress asked Baron Braun, our Emperor's chef de cabinet to give us a concert. She had heard it told that he had a beautiful bariton voice. When the Emperor saw this he asked me what her intentions regarding Baron Braun were. I answered his Majesty: "Sire, the Empress has asked him to sing." The Emperor leapt up and with real terror in his voice begged me: " I hope after all that he will not accept!" I answered, not without some cruelty: "But certainly, Sire, he has the most beautiful voice in the world and sings admirably." - "Not possible," answered the Emperor "It would be heart-breaking were he to make a fool of himself!" I tried to reassure his Majesty to the best of my ability. The Baron Braun did not make a fool of himself; he sang most beautifully and was applauded enthusiastically by everyone present. The Emperor was immensely relieved, and apparently delighted by this discovery."" )
He developed personal relationships and correspondence with musicians such as Johannes Brahms, Anton Bruckner, Antonín Dvořák and Bedřich Smetana. The whole family was intensely involved in the musical life. They had a permanent Loge at the Vienna State Opera (Loge 13 Parterre).
Braun spoke fluent German, Czech, French, Italian and English and had extensive knowledge of the numerous languages spoken in the Austrian Empire.
Read more about this topic: Adolph Aloys Von Braun
Famous quotes containing the word interests:
“You know about a person who deeply interests you more than you can be told. A look, a gesture, an act, which to everybody else is insignificant tells you more about that one than words can.”
—Henry David Thoreau (1817–1862)
“What a large volume of adventures may be grasped within this little span of life by him who interests his heart in every thing, and who, having eyes to see, what time and chance are perpetually holding out to him as he journeyeth on his way, misses nothing he can fairly lay his hands on.”
—Laurence Sterne (1713–1768)