The Montgomery advertiser., 1901-12-22
A GRAND OLD PIANIST LEONARD LIEBLING PUBLISHES
 AN INTERVIEW. Some Stories of Famous Men--How Joachim Was Suppressed for the Moment and How Liszt Tri-
 umphed Without Notes.

Leonard LiebliHg. Betlin correspondent of the Musical Courier. writes to his pa. per regarding an interview, which he had recently with Theodore Leschetizky whom he calls 'the grand old man of the piano." Among other things MT. Lieb , ling says:
 l found Leschetlzky wrapped in an old brown dressing gown, his feet in slip. pers, cigar in mouth, sitting before his writing table, copying manuscript. Al his elbow. stood tray of breakfast dishes. Near him was a grand piano. On the rack were Paderewski's "Manru,' orchestral score, and Rosenthars Pa pillons."
 Pictures of Leschetizky are scarce, and am a poor hand at portraying fea- lures. Imagine face made up of dis tinguishlng characteristics from the masks of Johannes, Brahms. Henrik To- sen, Arthur Schopenhauer. My first im- pressiOn was bea"d, white, bushy and aggressive. Beard on his cheeks, on his his head. He has trick of raising for an instant every few minutes the two boards that serve him as eyebrows. Then ones impression changes to eyes. And ing. of amazing freshness and fire for a man of n years. Brown, or blue, or gray? I don't know His glances were like flashes of lightning. They glowed for an In1tant and then down came those
 Prom the Musical Courier. eh?" he asked. in German. T like that paper more than 1t likes me.
 Not a very suspicious beginning" l thought. Aloud I said: 'I came to find out Meister. whether"
 Not a word of It true" interrupted l.eschetizky. vehemently. T have already the papers that printed those libels." ' Would you mind telling me the true state of affairs?"
 Shot Through the Heart.
 Certainly: This young Frenchman, this pupil of mine, Gaston Lherie, had been recommended by Salnt-Saens. l soon noticed that Lherie was eccentric. He was by no means my favorite pupil. 1 don't like young men to wear tremen- dous hats that cover their eyes, flowing of tree. Those are not the things that stamp one a great pianist. Lherie was never happier than when attracting at tention Every one stopped on the streets to stare at him. He was mot pop ular among his fellow pupils I have one pupil Miss Winnie Pyle, from Texas who is probably the most beautiful American girl have ever seen-and I have seen many beautiful American girls. Lherie fell in love with Miss Doyle. He told her so. but she would have none Of him. Everybody spoke of Lherie's in fatuation and his queer behavior He went about mumbing and threatening that he would shoot himself Finally summer came and my wife and l went to Ischl Miss Pyle spent her vacation at Halstatt, an hour or so from where we were Some weeks ago Lherie visited us He spoke of going to Halstatt and Droposins once more to Miss Pyle. Arainst my advice he went. Witnesses of the meeting between the young persons say that Miss Pyle was very decisive in her final refusal of Lherie. She told him to keep away altogether. The same day I received a letter from the girl, saving 'Lherie just left for Ischl. Threatens to shoot himself. Watch him. I sent my wife and Ter sister to the hotel at which Lherie had his room. They were to bring him back for dinner. Nearing the hotel hay suddenly saw Iherie standing in the doorway. As they approached, Lherie turned and ran upstairs. A minute later a shot was heard, and the poor boy was found doai in his room, with a bullet through his heart That Is all
 'Then you are not seeking divorce
 IN oIsense. or course not. Why should I? My wife is coming here ir a day or two.
 How dc you account for the garbled version of the affair that has reached the Berlin papeFs?'
 "An enemy is responsible for that Q woman a pianist, who lives in Berlin. know her. Only women are capable of such despicaple meanness."
 Nothing loath 10 change the subject drifted into other questions.
 Who Is the most talented pupil you to say Paderewski.
 T have had many very talented juplls lScme are better known. some less evaded LeschetIzky diplomati- oally Up came the eyebrows and he flashed a smile at mo.