The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-01-04
CHOPIN'S LAST PUPIL
DISCOVERED IN PARIS
NJ. Peru, Now 83 Years Old, Re-
ceivcd Free Lessons From
Famous Composer.
TELLS OF MASTERS LIFE
Pianist Devoted Many Years to
the Memory Of His Illus
triOus Teacher.
TELLS OF MASTERS LIFE
Special Correspondence to THE SuS.

PARIS, Dec. 24.--Over In tho Latin
Quarter, where hundreds OF hopeful young
men and women are struggling to follow
the road to fame, and where genius Is
discovered daily. the latest To be brought
TO the front Is exciting widespread In
terest Throughout, the quarter" although
his title to fame Is In no way connected
with the Ecolc des Beaux Arts. His name
is Peru and many years has he waited for
recognition, for he Is to-day SO years
old. But he has at last been discovered
and music lovers In Paris are preparing
to attend concert to he given next
week by the great pianist Peru. only
living pupil of the great Chopin and the
last to have received musical instruction
from the master"
Chopin died sxty-three years ago. but
NJ. Peru has never ceased to cherish the
composers memory. for II was the great
musician. who first discovered him and
took enough interest In his work to offer
to give him free lessons. NJ Peru has
never forgotten and his chief source Of
happiness now is not the fame he is ac-
quiring but the revival of interest In the
master.
Many unknown fact. Of the life Of
Frederic Chopin have been revealed by
NJ Peru. and the aged pianist Is de-
| lighted to BE- given an opportunity to
| talk Of the master.
when Chopin first came to Paris
I says NJ. Peru. "Kalkbrenner was the idol
of the music world and It was to him that
| the composer first went kalkbrenner.
who was at that time known as the
! greatest living pianist gave very
cold reception to this shabby looking
youth who was aspiring to the honor Of
becoming his pupil. Chopin had loft
, Poland because all those who had heard
him had recognized his talent and had ell
couraged him to go at once to Paris but
his name was totally unknown in the
French capital when he arrived here and
kalkbrenner haughtily informed him that
he could under no circumstances consent
! to reduce the price Of his lessons. lie eX-
planned that his instruction was in so
great demand that he had been compelled
to place II within the reach OF only "a
favored few by charging 20 francs $50 II
lesson.
Willing to Take Four Lessons.
This was In 1881, and the price named
seemed then exorbitant. but 1t did not
/, frighten Chopin. who explained that lac
|, had saved w 100 francs before his de-
parture for the French capital and IL
NJ. kall;brenner would b" willing To- ac-
cept this sum he would be glad tu take
four lessons only. Moved by this dctermi-
nation the pianist changed his attitude
, and invited his visitor To- SHOW what he
already knew. Seated 1T the piano Chopin
quietly played one of his own etudes and
barely had he finished when the professor
Jumped from his chair and took the boy
in his arms. You heed no lessons he
said. You have much to teach me-
'kalkbrenner at once took his young
visitor under his own protection he in
: PRODUCED him to Pleyel, the then famous
invN s.t,,sal Ian. III.
rnent and organized his first concert"
Frederic Chopin, according to NJ Peru,
was OF genial and happy disposition
and II was only when he discovered that
' he was actually dying OF consumption that
5 he became irritable and worried "IIo
was charming young man, but he knew
, he was going to die soon and the bought
never ceased TO worry him. for he was
above everything else a lover OF life.
George Sand did much TO keep him IN
5 good spirits during the eight years they
> were together. She nursed him as though
: he were IA child and he never forgot all
n that she did for him. They quarrelled
= over chicken wing at the dinner tabl.
and separated never TO speak TO each
y other again, but the master never r.
y ferred to her in other than the most re
spectful terms"
As teacher Chopin was extremely az.
=. hcult to satisfy and exacted trench
dous amount OF study from his pupils
. Tie never consented 10 accept as a pupil
u any one who had not received a thor
ough musical training beforehand, but
when he began 10 take interest in any OF
those who wero studying with him Il,
h worked almost as hard as the pupil him
g self to make him successful. When h,
~. first heard NJ Peru he offered nj one,
. to instruct him free of charge OF thcs,
lessons N. Peru says:
It Lived In Modest Quarters.
!, 81 used to go to his apartment, near the
- Champs Elysees, and later on the plac,
Nendome, where he died and where ~,
n occupied three rooms for which he PAID
;, 800 francs S60) year lie generally
IA remained In bed while ] played, for h,
10 was too weak to stand any great fatiglI,
r. but whenever he dIsapproved of my play
"a ing he would jump from his couch aut
ia run 10 the piano, There, listening 10 him
l. | passed the most beautiful moments OF
: my life
After the masters death NJ. Peru de.
n voted his entire life to the memory u
N his illustrlous teacher and for more thar
Il twenty years ho travelled thro4ghou,
5, Europe, playing in concerts and IN pri,
n vat" homes the works of CHOPIN In the
D., course OF his travels he met Ruhiustetn
. whose admiration and love for tn" com,
'. poser Of the world famous mo uIruos'
and "ballades' was almost equal TO tha
v of Peru, and the two Tor It wu.iv Wolr,y
:, together
' At his concert next week NJ. Peru vii
!. play nothing but the works OF Chopin
i, lac has written many musical compost,
- tons himself. but for his own work h,
. has no praise. His only thought Is fol
:. the great master ami after executing &
l., few of Chopn's works he viii tell a..
y audiences a few OF the Things he rcncm
10 beers about Frederic Chopin himself An,
the house will be packed, for outs,d" @
the lovers of music who viii he There f
force all NJ. Peru's friends over in IN,
Latin quarter, where he lives, ana wuo
have known him for many years v|tnru
Knowing who he really was, viii bee d,
hand to give him Il rousing reception
l. The Versatile Alpine Guide.
n IoNpoN, Dee. 9G.--In "A lecture aI tu