HIS MOTHER'S GIFT.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 114, 17 May 1933, Page 18

HIS MOTHER'S GIFT.

SECRET OF FAMOUS PIANISTS

OLD LEATHER BAG. Wβ hear that Pachmann, the great Russian pianist, -who became a naturalised Italian, left no will, because he had nothing to leave except the memory of his beautiful playing. The world had paid, a fortune to hear him play Chopin, but he had given that fortune to his sons. He said that if any money due to him was paid after his death it should be given to poor musicians in the land where the money was earned. But Pachmann had one treasure, a shabby old leather bag he had carried about for 50 years. No one knew what was inside it, because it was always kept locked. : After his funeral the ftag N was opened and inside was found a little wooden representation of the Madonna and Child. It was a Russian ikon, and had been given to Pachmann by his mother. Then his friends knew why Pachmann used to refuse to go into cellars during the air raids in London. He would grasp his bag in one hand, and refuse to take shelter. It was because he believed that his mother's gift would keep him from harm. He never grew too old or too famous to remember her.