Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1896-03-10
THE JOKER Jokso.
wIENIAwsKI's SEVERE EXPERIENCE
WITH THE FRENCH ARisRocRACY.

The stories told the other day about
the experiences OF Paderewski and
Yyette Guilbert with New York society
are fully matched by one which Eugene
Ysaye tells of Wieniawskrs experience
In Paris In which the artist did not come
off first best either. When that viollnist
was the rage twenty years ago or more,
Baroness Of the Faubourg st. Ger
main insisted on his coming to her
soiree. He did not care much for doing
so, but finally gave In. When ne went,
the Baroness received him with etiusion,
and after few moments, when a few
people were present, asked him to play
something. He glanced around; the
Baroness had gone back to the head OF
the staircase, and there were present n
few shriveled-up old gentlemen and three
or four girls. "Bah!" he said to his ac-
companist, Struggling his shoulders,
LET US play Ernst's Elegie." Now,
you know that Ernst's Elegie Is OF all
compositions the most dull and un-
interesting. IL IL tedious enough TO
drive nearer 10 commit suicide.
They played Ernst's Elegie and the
Baroness, who had been out OF hearing
during the performance, came beaming
into the room soon after.
"Ah. monsieur, how beautiful! / can
not thank you enough, but might | dare
10 ask you to play once again! lesF'
and she fastened away 10 welcome more
guests.
"What shall we play:" asked the &C
companist. wieniawski looked around.
The company was becoming more nu-
merous, but no more interesting than ut
the beginning. ''Let's play Ernsts
Eiegie again" he said.
They did so with renewed lack OF at
,cn,ion from any one and another burst
OF ecstscy from the Baroness, and q
third request TO play, after which she
lifted away again.
"lf these people don't understand
Ernst's Elegie they must hear IL Till they
do" wieniawski said to his accompan'
ist, when she had gone, so he played the
Elegie for the third time, and the Baron
ess. who came back just rs the last few
bars were being sounded, proclaimed
this to be the most ravlshing OF all the
yiollnist's renditions and babe him adieu
with thanks.
Thus far this is the story as Wieniaw'
ski tells IL, but Rubinsteiu, who heard u
repeated once, said; "Ah. but you omit
ted the last part" and this Is the way ne
ended Il: AS Wieniawski was leaving
the Baroness house one OF the guests,
little, shriveled old gentleman, who had
been present from the beginning oil the
solrce, came up 10 the violinist. Mon
sieur wieniiwski, he pipcd, Il have fell
the most profound admiration for your
PLAYING tonight. Indeed, have never
missed concert that you. have given 10
Paris wieniawski bowed, and the old
gentleman continued:
Z" There IL one piece In your repertor,
that once made the most profound I'm
preston on me, and desire ardently &c
hear IL sgaln. Come with your violin tc
nv house tomorrow or the day after
and name your own terms, for before
die | must hear you play Ernst's III
egie." -,
Rubinstein says that Wieniawski did
not stop to make the appointment; ht
rushed out of the house too much over
come 10 say whether he would gratiiy
the old gentleman's last wish, and that Il
one of the most authentic musical his,
tories ever penned, for Rubinstein and
wieniawski both youched FOR n.-Ex
change.