Mrs.Bok loved music, was a pianist herself, and sought to acquaint her husband with what his former training had omitted.
Hofmann and Bok had become strong friends outside of the editorial relation, and the pianist frequently visited the Bok home.

But it was some time, even with these influences surrounding him, before music began to play any real part in Bok's own life.
He attended the opera occasionally; more or less under protest, because of its length, and because his mind was too practical for the indirect operatic form.

He could not remain patient at a recital; the effort to listen to one performer for an hour and a half was too severe a tax upon his restless nature.

The Philadelphia Orchestra gave a symphony concert each Saturday evening, and Bok dreaded the coming of that evening in each week for fear of being taken to hear music which he was convinced was "over his head." Like many men of his practical nature, he had made up his mind on this point without ever having heard such a concert.

The word "symphony" was enough; it conveyed to him a form of the highest music quite beyond his comprehension.