Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1913-03-15
Denied HIM A KISS
And Rubinstein Repaid Her With
a Torrent of Melody.
MOODS or The GREAT MASTER

The Climax TO an Evening With the
Composer In His Home In ST. Peters
burg. When His Efforts az the Piano
Left Him Ashen Faced and Exhausted
Ia her "lsccoiiectipns Of Rnbinste.n."
published IN Ilarpcrs Magazine LII.
Ian Nichia throws some new lights on
OF the famous composers of the last
century Her earliest acquaintance
with Rubnsteln was when. as n child.
she resided with her parents in Duh
lin She aficrward travelled with him
during an English tour that the com
poser made and met him again In 81
Petersburg NJ n rehearsal. when the
great master invited her 20 dinner that
same evening The author says:
II spent the rest OF the afternoon
practising. and little before q O'Clock
found myself AZ last IN RnbInstcin'S
study amid all his intimate associa
lions. touching the books and music
that belonged TO him. sitting before
the piano he played on. CHANGING over
the pages Of manuscripts that he had
just finlsheh-in short. az home With
him | found then that he was no
longer the sphinx man Of the concert
platform but a genial. gracious host.
asking after the friends | had recently
left In Frankfort and making inquiries
after those In ireland and England.
especially after MI young artists. for
whom he had heart lowing over with
kindness and sympathy Possibly his
own student days In Vienna. when
he bad literally starved, had something
to do with this At the dinner table
] found out he was thoroughly a bon
vivant
after dinner had 10 go through
the ordeal Of playing for him. and.
when had finished. his manscrvant
brought IN card table and we sat
sort of whist. much like present day
bridge. Ruhlnstcu and | were part
ners and lost slamefuly -Scarcely to
be wondered NJ. fot had just learned
whist but he insisted on playing again
and again
Native, the servant, then brought IL
ten in the long Russian glasses with
their silver holders. lemon. not cream
being served. and one Of the ladies'
present. knowing ! was newcomer
and ignorant of the fact that It was
an uDwrittcn law as unaiterabie as
that of the Modes and Persians that
his guests should not ask him 10 play.
whispered 40 me to make him 20 TO
the piano. Cheeriully and innoceutly
| went up TO him and. running my
arm through his. said coaxingly;
DO come and play something.
His face changed in moment An
ominous silence fell on those present
Even the culprit who had led me into
the trap looked disturbed. As for I.u-
binstein himself. he gave me scowl
and fairly flung my hand away.
NO he said shortly. i never play
Don't forget this.
The sudden change In his manner
unnerved me. for the tears started to
my eyes. and | stood gaping at him
As n matter OF fact. | was thoroughly
Disconnected and taken aback As
soon as knbnstein saw this his face
changed again. and. laughing ne held
out his hand 10 me alphabetically.
"'Well. come; give me a kiss and
will play for yon"
II had just reached the age when
my kisses were not lightly given. BE
sides. was cut 10 the hearts core.
and ! turned my head away In denial.
What" cried one OF the women
present Could you refuse Anton
GregoriewitchT
Yes cried Rmbinstein and jus;
for that ! am going to play for hci
anyhow. for she is the first that ever
did
"Rubinstein WIS In one OF his raresi
moods. aud those of MS who We're pres
ent will never forget the ineffabie
beauty Of the Chopin + major balade
n he started the opening theme. one OF
the wonder pieces OF that composer
whom Rubinstein had designated die
Seelc des l'ortepiano' When he had
finished the ballade lie passed almost
without q pause. TO the preludes. four
OF which he played Then he dashed
into his favorite nuzurka and ended
with the heroic + sharp minor polo.
naise. Across the room ! could see
some figures huddled. rs II were. in fear
aud terror The thunders OF that mu
sic rang through the room II was rs
n the Polish lesions were marching
swords outstretched. banners Tying.
Fastening 10 die like heroes for faith
and country. singing their love songs
calamity. although the funeral dirge
WIS TO follow
when Rubinstein had finished hts
face was nshen white. his breath was
coming In gasps. md he was laboring
under the excitement caused by that
malady which. aims. u few years later
was to carry him of. None OF US
guessed Il then. Tor. brawny Of build.
impatient Of sympathy. scorninI all
bodily Weaknesses. he hid his suffer