The Washington times., 1919-12-18
Sergei Rachmaninoff
A Commanding Figure in
World of Music
Written Especially for The Washington Times by ROY T. BUE

NEW YORK, Dec. 17.-Sergei Rach-
maninoff, composer, conductor and
pianist, is one Of the most command
ing figures in the world of music to-
day. Certainly the art Of no musi-
clan of recent years has been more
widely commented upon.
Rachmaninoff is today practically
an exile from his homeland. The un-
happiness and misery. the bloodshed
and the political, social and industrial
upheavals that have been Russia's
fate during the past few years, have
left their permanent impression upon
him.
1 recently called on DR.. Rachmani-
non at his American home in East
Ninety-second street New York, city
Although he speaks English, slowly
and distinctly, but rather hesitatingly,
he uses French mostly in conversing.
His long, delicate fingers graphically
aid him in emphasizing his statements
He is tall and broad-shouldered. His
rugged face Is that of the genius who
accomplishes practical things. In his
eyes-patient, observing and express
sive Of many moods-glows the soul
light of the dreamer who makes his
dreams come true. His nose, promi-
nent and aquiline in mold, Is that of
business type. His mouth, broad and
full-lipped, backed by a chin Of de-
shows the man whose
ambition to realize . hope, to help
others, to accomplish that which will
better himself and his neighbors,
urges him on through all obstacles
His face Is that of a man who has
sacrificed much. suffered much, and
would give Infinitely moro to realize
his ideals. His hair is close-cropped
The casual observer would never say.
There is a great musician" bu'
rather "There Is good, practical
business man."
Rachmaninoff, the pianist. In al
ways pre-eninent in crystallic clear
ness OF technique and in his finished
execution. The deep personality Of
the poetic genius surges through his
every interpretation, whether 1t Is as
pianist, composer or conductor. A
few wears ago I was one of a party
that listened to Rachmaninon's inter
probation of the Second Hungarian
Rhapsodie," Liszt's composition that
every amateur pianist plays or at
tempts to play.
One feels that Rachmaninoff. the
musician perfect, the artist supremely
sympathetic, assumes the mantle Of
Lisxt, the pianist brilliant, and origi-
nally and incomparably interprets the
soul and reveals the heart OF the
Second Hungarian Rhapsodie-" In
Rachmaninofrs Interpretation he In
terpolates his own cadenza, pregnant
in brilliancy, but deeply somber in its
Cossack strain, in passing In the
Rhapsody" from the lassan. or slow
with its Incidence Of the
Gypsy East, and its fragrance of
heavenly scented harems, to the
friska, or fast movement vibrating
with the dash and vigor Of the Mag
var peasant dance and pulsating with
q throbbing Of the veivet-throatcd
chimes Of the Hungarian desert-wind-
ing, caravans.
Rachmaninoff Is now forty-hve years
of age. and the music loving world
is eagerly awaiting many more COM
positions from his versatile pen. He
was born in the province of Novgo-
rod, Russia, and Is the son of wealthy
parents who are descended from the
best of Russian nobility. He inherits
his musical talent a. his grandfather