the family was very poor and carl had to help in the home. during the school holidays he looked after the geese. his father, who was a simple painter, played the violin and cornet in the village band. carl soon learned to play the violin and joined in with his father’s band. he listened to music by haydn and mozart and became very interested in general knowledge. all his life he tried to learn new languages and was interested in literature, art and philosophy. he loved animals and the nature around him.