The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-05-17
w1ENIAwsKI's REVENGE.
BY EUGEN YsAYE.

This is the famous history of the "Eleg1e
d Ernst," and 1 can assure you that 1t is au-
thentic, for it was given me by Wieniawskl
himself-all except the end, and Rublnsteln
told me that
When Wieniawski was in Paris-twenty years
ago or more-the people there were wildly en-
thusiastic over him, and as well as croWding
his concerts they continually begged him to
play at soirees. One Baroness in particular,
belonging to the highest aristocracy OF the
Faubourg st. German, would take no refusal.
W1en1awski did not care much about the WISH,
but he yielded at last, and went with his
eccompanist. The Baroness, who was Teceiy-
ing her visitors at the head of the grand stair
case, welcomed him with effusion, enchanted,
delighted to receive SO distinguished guest,
and she begged him to be seated in the salon
till the other visitors had arrived.
After ten minutes when q few people were
present the Baroness, snatching few mo-
ments from her duties of receiving, asked
W1eniawski to favor them by playing some
thing. He glanced around, the Baroness had
gone back to the head of the staircase, and
there were present few shriveled-up old gen.
tlemen and three or four young girls--very
thin and uninteresting girls. "Bahp' he
said to his accompanist, struggling his Shout
ders. 'Let us play Ernsts 'Elegie.'" Now,
you know that Ernst's "Elegie" is of all COM
positions the most dull and uninteresting. 1t
is tedious enough to drive nearer to commit
suicide.
They played Ernst's "Elegie," and the Baron
ess, who had been out of hearing during the
performance, came beaming into the room
soon after. "Ah! monsieur. how beautiful;
cannot thank you enough, but might dare to
ask you to play once again? Yes?' and she
hastened away to welcome more guests. "What
shall we play?" asked the accompanist
Wieniawski looked around. The company was
becoming more numerous, but no more inter
esting than at the beginning. "Let us play
Ernst's 'Elegie' again." he said.
Absolutely no one listened, but little later
in the evening the Baroness entered the room,
more ecstatic in her admiration than ever.
'Bravol NJ. Wieniawski; better and betteri"
she said. 'fYou surpassed even yourself in that
piece. But would you-dare I ask you to be
complaisant enough to play once again?" and
she fitted away.
eff these people don't understand Ernst's
'Elegie' they must hear it till they d." Wieni-
awski said to HIS accompanist, when she had
gone,so he played thu" Elegie' for the third time
and the Baroness, who came back just as the
last few bars were being sounded, went into ex-
travagances. Monsieur, the powers of the
French language fail to express the beauty OF
that last work. Each of your selections is more
exquisite than the one that preceded it. What
Going SO soon? My secretary will call at your
house tomorrow. Adieu, monsieur, and a
thousand thanks for the delicious treat that
you have given u.s."
That was the story as Wieniawski gave it me,
and was telling it one day in Paris when Ru.
binstein, who. was present, said: ''Ah! but
you have omitted the last part and this is
how he ended it: Gas Wieniawski was leav-
ing the Baroness house one of the guests, a
little, shriveled old gentleman, who had been
present from the beginning of the soiree, came
up TO the violinist: Monsieur Wieniawski, ,,
he piped, ''I have felt the most profound ad-
miration for your playing tonight. Indeed /
have never missed a concert that you have
given in Paris" Wieniawsh bowed, and the
old gentleman continued:
"There is piece In your repertoire that once
made the most profound impression on me,
and desire ardently to hear it again. Come,
with your violin, TO nv house tomorrow or
the day AFTER and name your own terms, for
before / die must hear you play Ernst's
'Elegie.'''
Rubinstein told me that Wieniawski did not
stop to make the appointment; he rushed out
of the house too much overcome to say whether
he would crafty the old gentlemans last wish,
and that is one of the most enthusiastic mu-
steal histories that was ever penned, for Rubin
stein and Wieniawski both vouched for it