The Hocking sentinel. [volume] (Logan, Ohio) 1871-1906, 1896-03-26
wENlAwsn KNOCKED OUT.
I'm Experience nc she Famous Vio;Inist
Arlstncrat:c Snriety.

Arlstccrat;c Snriety.
Eugene Isaye tells this story of
Wieniawski's experience in Paris, il
which The artist did rot come off first
hest either. When that vialinist WAS
t.leraga, 90 years ago CT more, 4 bar
oncss Of the Faubourg st. German
insisied On his coming 10 her sciree.
He did not care much about doing
so, but finally gave in. When lie
Went, the baroness received him with
oTusion, and after a few snoments,
when "a few people were present,
asked him TO play something. ha
glanced around; the baroness had
gone back to the head Cf the stair
case, and there were present few
shYiveled Up old gentlemen and
three or four young girls. Bah! !"
he said to lis accoizpalist, shrug.
ging bis shoulders. Let US play
'Ernst's Elegie. "
Row, you know that "Ernst's Ele-
gle" is of al compositions tho most
dull and rninterestirg. It is tedious
enough to drive e hcarer to commit
suicide.
They played Ernst 5 Elegio," and
the baroness, who had been out of
hearing during the performance
came leaning into tfs. room socn
after, at least SO rC2s the story III
the pittsbrrS Dispatch.
"Al, monsieur, how beautiful! l
cannot :haa,, you enough, but might
I dare 10 ask you 20 play orceaSain?
Yesr' And she hastencd away to
welcome more guests.
"What shall wo play?' asked tho
accompanis5. Wieniawski looked
around. The company Was becoming
more numerous, but no moro inter
esting than at tho beginning. Lets
play Ernst Elegie again. be said.
They dill so With renewed lack CT
attention from every one and anoth-
er burst of ecstasy from the baron
ess and a third request TO play, after
which she fitted away again.
IF these people don't understand
'Ernsts Elogia' they must huar it till
they do" Wieniawski said TO his &C.
conpanist when she had gone, so ho
PLAYED the elegio fer the third time,
and the baroness. who came back
Just as the last few bars were being
sounded, proclaimed this to be tho
most ravishiug Of al tho violinist $
renditions and balc him adieu with
THANKS.
Thus far this is the story as Wi
eniawski tells IT, but Rubinstein,
who heard is repeated once, said,
"Ah, but ycu have omitted the last
part" and this is how he ended it,
"As Wioniawski was leaving tho bar
oness' house one CT the guests, lit
lie. shriveled cid gentleman, who
had boon present from the beginning
of the soirea, cam up to the violinist,
Monsieur Wieniawsfi, he piped, /
have felt the most profound admira-
ton for your playing tonight. In
deed. I have never missed a concert
that you have given i'll Paris. WI
eniawski bowed, and the old gentle
man continued: There is one piece
in Your repertory that once made
the most profound impression on
me. and desire ardently to hear II
again. Cone with your violin to my
house tomorrow or the day after and
name your own terms, Cor before
die / must hear you play Ernst s
Elegio. 80" :.
Ruhinstein says that Wieniawski
did not stop to mako the appoint
ment. He rushed out Of tho house
too much overcome to say whether
he would crafty tho cid gentleman s
last wish, and that is one Of the most
authentic musical histories that were
ever penrcd, for Rubinstein ard WI
eniawski both youchcd for it.