‘Their ensemble is so perfect that no disparity of style is observable’: From the archive: August 1912

During several visits to this country the Misses Aranyi have shown that they possess the art of playing duets with complete sympathy and understanding, and their performances of works by Bach and Spohr were memorable ones.

Adila and Jelly von Aranyi were born in Buda-Pesth, the daughters of a Hungarian father and French mother. Their musical inheritance is no mean one, as, in addition to many talented amateur relatives, they are the great-nieces of Joachim, so their musical proclivities as small children evoked no surprise in the family circle. Joachim, who had taken a great interest in his two nieces, offered to give Adila some lessons if her parents would allow her to go to Berlin. The master spared no pains to perfect her education, and during the months previous to his death Miss von Aranyi had the privilege of daily study under Joachim’s care, and innumerable opportunities of hearing him play, and of meeting all the notable musicians of the day. A priceless reminder of these days is the fine Stradivarius violin which Joachim bequeathed to her. Meanwhile, the younger sister Jelly was still at the Academy in Buda-Pesth, where she passed from one class to another in rapid succession, her talent receiving ready recognition from her teacher, Hubay…