The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1913-03-14

And Rubinstein Repaid Her With
a Torrent Of Melody.
MOODS OF THE GREAT MASTER

The Climax to an Evening With The
Composer IN His Home In St. Peters-
burg, When His Efforts at The Piano
Left Him Rshen Faced and Exhausted
In her .Recollections Of Rubinstein, z
published IN Harper's Magazine. LII
Han Nichia throws some new lights on
she character and temperament Of one
Of the famous composers Of the last
century. Her earliest acquaintance
with Rubinstein was when, as child.
she resided with her parents In Dub
lin She afterward Travelled with him
during an English tour that the com
poser made and met him again IN St
Petersburg at a rehearsal. when the
great master invited her to dinner that
same evening The author says:
n spent the rest Of the afternoon
practising. and little before o'clock
found myself at last in Rubinstein's
study amid all his intimate associa-
lions. touching the books and music
that belonged to him. sitting before
the piano he played on. glancing over
the pages Of manuscripts that be had
just finished-in short. at home with
him. found then that be was no
longer the sphinx man Of the concert
platform but genial. gracious host.
asking after the friends / had recently
left ID Frankfort and making inquiries
after those In Ireland and England.
especially after all young artists. for
whom he had heart flowing over with
kindness and sympathy. Possibly his
own student days in Vienna. when
he had literally starved. had something
to do with this. At the dinner table
found out be was thoroughly bon
ivhnt
After dinner | had TO 60 through
the ordeal Of playing for him. ana,
when | had finished. his manservant
brought In card table, and we sat
down TO game Of vindt. a difficult
sort of whist. much like present day
bridge Rubinstein and l were part
ners and lost shamefully- scarcely to
be wondered at. for had just learned
whist but be insisted ON playing again
ana again.
Native. the servant then brought in
tea ID the long Russian glasses with
their silver holders. lemon. NOT cream.
being served. and one Of the ladies'
present knowing was q newcomer
and ignorant Of the fact that it was
an unwritten law as undesirable az
that Of the Medes and Persians that
/. =
whispered to me to make him 20 10
the piano. gheerfully and innocently
! / went n "a him ana rnnninp nv
arm fh,ougb his said coaxinglv.
DO come and MAY something's
..His face changed IN 4 moment. An
ornino,,s silence felI :, n tlosa nraaant
Even fhe c,,Inrit who had led me into
the iran looked tlixtnrhed A. for I'M.
binsfein himself he rave me- 4 scowl
ana fairly dung INV hand awav.
NO. be said shortly. 4 never play.
, Don't forget This.
.srhe sudden change ia his manner
unnerved ME. for the tears started to
my eyes. and stood gaping at him.
AS 4 matter 81 fact. was Thoroughly
slisconcerted and taken aback. As
soon as Rubinstein saw this his face
changed again, and, LAUGHING. he held
out his hand to me apoIogetically.
wen. come; give me kiss and 1
win play for your
n had Just reached the age when
my kisses were not lightly given. Be
sides, was cut to the hearts core,
and turned my head away in denial.
.Whatr cried one Of the women
present. Gould you refuse Anton
Gregoriewitch? p
Yes. cried Rubinstein, and Just
Tor that am going to play for her
anyhow. for she is the 6rst that ever
didr
"Rubinstein was in one Of his rarest
moods. and those OF us who were pres
ent win never forget the ineffable