The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-02-03
WHEN KUBELK MADE HIS DEBUT Vienna Writer Describes Great Scene In City Of
 Music

One evening Gin the late. nineties) attended rather unpretentious enter tainment in the Muhlgasse, because had been requested to hear the lady who would sing.
 happened to enter the hall just after she had concluded number, and as her assistant" was coming on the stage. Though slightly vexed, for it meant that I should have to wait longer than otherwise, I could not sup press a smile when I saw on the plat form commonplace looking young fellow, 17 or IS years old, dressed in black frock coat of the style then called "Spencers," several sizes too small for him, and tight black trousers that scarcely reached his home pol ished shoes. says Ludwig Karpath, in the Neue Freie Presse, Vienna.
 A fiery red cravat was tied around his tall white collar, and his shortish hair was brushed straight back. Two expressive eyes glowed in his interest ing countenance, and though his odd costume touched my sense of humor. I immediately felt a twinge of pity for him, since it was apparent that his queer attire was due to poverty.
 However, the young performer had not played twenty notes when he held me spellbound listened, hardly talk ing breath, until he finished, and when he was through I knew that Jan Kubelik--for that was the name on the program-would soon be one of the worlds famous violinists.
 wrote a short, but enthusiastic ac- count of his performance-the first criticism of Kubelik published in Vien- na-and talked about him as the new star on the musical horizon wherever l went.
 One of my acquaintances was giving large dinner party about this time, and had engaged for the occasion the famous Helmesbergre quartet, to whom he naturally had to pay generous fee. The day before the dinner I met my prospective host upon the street: He was not a lavish entertainer usually, but in mentioning the dinner he said he would like to do something more to make it a notable occasion, if he could only afford it. I suggested that he get Kubelik.
 The next evening when arrived at our hosts house, l found there bril- liant company of elegantly gowned Indies and of gentlemen in full evening dress. We had hardly sat down to the table when I discovered at the farther end Kubelik's fiery red carvat. The other guests cast stolen glances in his direction, with half repressed smiles.
 When the dinner was over, we ad- journed to the music room, where there was much arranging for the famous quartet. Helmesberger and his asso- ciates played remarkably well. The la dies and gentlemen present did not really care for chamber music, but it would have been a breach of good form to betray indifference to 4 group of musicians then all the vogue. So they applauded loudly, although everybody was more or less bored and hastened to compensate himeslf for this sacrifice to courtesy from the we'll stocked de- canters of our host.
 In the midst of the chatter that fol- lowed Kubelik began to play, but no one stopped talking long enough to listen. l stood in a corner embar- rassed, unable to understand how such magnificent talent could pass un- noticed. Our host, who was man of cultivated musical taste, was also ir- ritated, but he quickly controlled his temper, while I became more furious than ever. l still recall whispering to him, in a voice shaking with anger : Pearls before swine"
 It seemed my duty to take the young fellow, whom had expected to receive an enthusiastic ovation, under my wing. I got him into neighboring room and complimented him warmly upon his playing. It was the only time 1 ever spoke to Kubelik. We could not converse much, because he knew almost no German. Besides that, our host, who was anxious to get him out of the way, called me and asked me how much he ought to give him.
 I was astonished that my friend had not made some previous arrangement and said 100 guilden would be the least he could well offer. Without answering a word, my host went up to the young man, who was standing lonely and disregarded, shook his hand warmly and bade him good-by. No one else noticed that he had left.
 Hardly had the door closed behind him when the host returned and said responsibility You're a prodigal. gave the young chap thirty gulden, and it was more than enough"