The Wichita daily eagle., 1904-02-14
MALEK's LOVE FOR ANIMALS.
The Famous Bohemian Pianist Is {
Man of the Finest Sensibiiisy.

Ottokar Malek. whose appearance at
the Toler February l. is hailed by music
lovers as an event OF the greatest im-
portance, has personality which inspires
an interest hardly less than that evoked
by his musical genius Sensibiiity is the
dominant note in Maleks character. a
quality which is manifestly expressed
in his spirituelle countenanee and re-
vealed in the many stories afaOt regard
ing the great pianist
His love for animals Is pronounced
Not .ong ago his most intimate friend
was a beautiful Scotch collie. which. next
to his piano. Malek loved better than
anything else in the world. One day
the dog suddenly went mad and. break
ing away from his master. dashed
through the crowds Of pedestrians. snap
ping and snarling as it went. The people
scattered to right and left as the brute
came on and veritable panic ensued.
Sut Malek had no intention OF desert
ing his canine friend at such a critical
moment. lie dashed after the dog with
the humane object OF protecting the pc
destrians and of saving the animal from
the kicks and projectiles that seemed 10
encourage it all the more. Without
semblance of fear. Malek approached the
infuriated collie. grasped it and held 1t
to the ground while a policeman came
up and with his pistol put an end 10 the
danger. AS Malek arose. his eyes were
full Of tears. 1T was like killing my
best friend, he said.
Maleks love for animals is of the deep
kind which takes an interest in the nature
and habits OF the lower creation. y
curious instance of his intimate knowl-
edge is related by his American manager.
Malek visiting at this gentleman's house,
became greatly interested in brood OF
incubator chickens. Taking one up in
his hand he said. without a moments
hesitation. Nine days old" He was ex-
actIy right. Feeling its crop he said.
It's hungry" In that. too. he showed
he possessed the scientific knowledge of
the true animal lover.
Children. too. appeal To Malek's deep
est nature. There you seem TO catch
glimpse of the real man-of the sensi-
tive, gentle nature which. young man
though Malek is. has already suffered
more than one rude blow from the heavy
hand OF fate.
The artist in Malek is in constant evi-
dence. 1t betrays itself in his almost
boyish irresponsibility in the little mat
ter-of-fat events of everyday life. one
day he was hurrying down State street
Chicago. with a friend to catch train
Malek was especially anxious to make
time and his long legs were carrying him
over the ground at pace which taxed
the powers of his companion to keep up
with him. Passing Marshall Field
store. Malek was attracted by some pic
lures of female loveliness in one of the
windows He stopped. gaZed absorbent
" and criticaIly-and the train left him
behind.
II is the artist, too. in Malek as
musician that makes him so popular.
Musical critics are unanimous in prais
ing his wonderful technic, his mastery or
the keyboard, his finished rendition OF
the most difficult passages of the mas
ters. But beyond, and deeper than this,
there is that touch of genius and sym
pathetic understanding of the mind Of
the composer. which enables Malek to
conxey, even TO the unknowing. feeling
and understanding of the piece he is ex-
pounding.
His personal appearance and gentle
manly bearing go far TO explain the en-
thusiastic welcome which is accorded
him by audiences of all degrees of mu-
steal culture There is nothing fantastic
or eccentric, either, in his appearance
or Misunderstanding Of the long-haired,
wildly demonstrative musician. He plays
without an effort the most difficult pas
saees. hardly leaning this way or that
his long arms seeming all sufficient In
reaching any part OF the keyboard. HIS
pale face never fushes. He accom-
plishes marvels with his wrists and nm
gers and his chords and scales and trillls
are perfection.
MaIeks sensibuity and practical tenn
permanent show themselves in the manner
in which he becomes wholly absorbed IN
the composition which he is rendering
At the end Of a number he loves 10 SIT
still for a moment as ne allows the ca
dences which his fingers have called into
being to ring out like those produced by
a trumpet They die away and Malek
comes out OF a dreamy reverie.
Occupying the same rank as master
OF the piano that is held by Kubelik and
Kocfan. his compatriots, as masters or
the violin. richly endowed with Che lem
perament that interests and attracts of
2 gentle and loVable nature that makes
friends everywhere. il IS safe 10 predict
that the triumphs which this young mu-
sical genius has already scored are but
2 fore-rInner OF still more splendid ones
in the future.