The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1892-04-10
WILL COME TO. AMERICA.
TIE oREAr ARTIST RuBrxs1rrM


Not Greatly vaiued-fis Early E6ort. ms
n Musicinn-A Great Traveller 1nased.
ST.. PETERSBURG. March 27.-There is very
little doubt that Rubinstein. tho treat nusso-
Jewish tone master. will visit America very
soon, perhaps in tho spring. He has had an
offer for an American concert tour which
promises him great returns. and. while he 10
not poor man. he has spent his enormous
earnings and is practically without for
tune. The offer from the United States
is most fattering. It means at least
100000. and. perhaps. half as much
more. The matter Is not quito settled.
The great pianist is as capricious rs child.
To-day no will go: tomorrow he will not go;
the next dry he will consider 1t. and tho next
day he will decide to go. But his friends are
of tho opinion that his visit is settled. He
breads. OF course. the long journey to Amer
lea, for he is now upward OF 60 years OF age.
and he fears tho fatigue OF the thousands OF
miles he would have to travel over tho United
States. Ho has always been great traveller.
but at the present the prospect OF a long Jour-
ney does not please him. Yet his vigor Is un-
impaired. He is the picture OF perfect health.
His friends insist that no plays better to-day
than ever before. They predict enormous
success for him. and they hope also that his
visit may DO instrumental In awakening more
interest in musical matters.
Rubinsteln has been SO long before tho pub
lie that many regard him as an old man. and
expect when they see him to find visible and
outward marks Of age and Its inflrmities. Tho
contrary is true. His figure Is still stalwart.
At first sight he might be taken for an athlete
or soldier. He walks with tho firm tread OF
q man who is certain Of his ground His head
and face are strongly marked. and moro pic
rlon ha 1,aa nd oP
any celebrity OF the day. not excepting
Tolstoi. who. it has boon we'll said. resembles
humanized lion. whatever that may be-
Rubinstein's face is leonine. His forehead
is broad and massive. His complexion is
swarthy. His eyes arc small and seem
to pierce tho very soul OF tho beholder.
They are overshadowed by thick brows His
shock OF black hair has scarcely been touched
with gray. His face is scanned with thought
In word he looks like robust man in the
primo of life. a man who has been a profound
student and thinker as well as great lover OF
outdoor exercise
And yet Rubinstein has been before tho pub
lie as piano player for ffty-three years. and
that is very long time for any one person to
stand in the Carish light OF public life. He be-
gan his career when only years OF age. and
he confidently tells his friends that he is good
u
boon given to few men, or women. either. for
that matter. to have the successes that have
made Rubinstein's lifo memorable. His early
career was ono OF trouble. not unmixed
with poverty. He has made many for
tunes and given great deal OF money
to tho poor OF his own country He went to
Vienna. Moscow, and St Petersburg only
recently to play for charity for tho Russian
peasants who arc starving. and tho price
of seats rose to fabulous sums Not ono
penny of this money did lie keep for himself.
It all went to those who were dying for bread.
His genius has been recognized in every land.
He has no rival as a pianist He is a virtuoso.
whose reign is absolute: a composer. who has
done excellent work; in fact. man who has
left no field in music UNEMPLOYED. He has
been decorated many times by the crowned
heads and notabilties Of the Old World.
many OF them ; 81 priceless re- value I u But
i,nir. In Rance he IS a Knight Of the To-
Eion Of Honor; In Germany he is
Knight h Of A hs Gow Of sRcaea 10 I'M s %sar
Order q Daanbroe:, These are only his great
ha I'd to give for Rubinstein has valued such
things 50 lightly that he could not himself say
oihand just what orders he is entitled to wear
other day found him seated at his writing
table. There was heap Of manuscript lying
ing materials. pens. blotters, cigarette case.
and ash tray. all In delightful confusion on tho
table The table had been between two
his face but yet gave him plenty Of light.
fer his eyes are not strong nist,,r Above me
panotorte. while around him were the
various great personageS who hau been
1icfn n,pfp fol hal
had been taken in the drawing room OF the
Grand Duchess Hclene. The room where he
decorations and arrangement. There was
in tho very atmosphere that would
have made not bs in wha
OF a genius. Rubinstein is a very approach
able man: Ho wheeled around in his chair.
another. and settled himself back for talk
He first OF all inquired eagerly about the news
h9 dfy pd then visit To
didly replied. I DO not know, yet. My health
Is very good. and lmayigo; ! cannot In say" ',oo,
matters. and somehow hereditary genius came
to be discussed. .liubinstein was asked II he
considered his genius an inheritance IA .u IN.
musical instinct may be said TO be the common
heritage Of the entire jewish race
father had no taste or talent for music OF any
kind. and had marked out for hts son the
mse aeG Was eessp
teur pianist. it was from her that Rublnstetn.
received his first instruction. and this when he
was but six years Of age, The family had moved
to Moscow. and there tho child was PLACED rs
Russian by abortion. who he'd i received his
irishman: FOR three years Rubinstein remain
ed under yllIoing: Then he WAS taken on tour
was well known. and II was IN Paris that he
met List Even now En9 Sxs I Loves T. tel
List, His CONCERT was SUCCESS 81 and the mu.
for him. His mother was eagcr to have him
enter tho Conservative, and application for
boy continued DIS concert tours and was
From Paris Rubnstcin went t., London. to
Amsterdam. to Copenhagen. to Berlin. and a
from Moscow for several years. HIS success
was 20 great that his m@tneF desermi ne nc
placed with his younger brother. NICHOLAS. un.
OF Glinka
How strange It all seems to me now" said
to his visitor ms no was seated |
in n brown study. tho smoke from