CHOPIN'S GENIUS.

Press, Volume XLVIII, Issue 7779, 5 February 1891, Page 2

CHOPIN'S GENIUS.

Daring one of his tours Chopin arrived at Zullichau, and whilst the horses were being rested and fed, he sat down at the piano in the inn to play. Only the impassioned musician knows what it is, after sitting for several days In a diligence, suddenly, and quite unexpectedly, to have an opportunity of playing on a good instru. ment. Regardless of his surroundings our artist began to improvise con amore. Attracted by the music one of the travellers got up and stood behind the player's chair. Chopin called out to Professor Yarochi in Polish, " Now we shall see whether my li&tener be a connoisseur or not." Chopin began his fantasia on Polish songs. The traveller, a German, stood liki one petrified, captivated by this music so new and bewitching. His eye» mechanically followed every movement of the pianist's delicate hand. He had forgotten everything, even his beloved pipe, which went out unheeded. The other travellers stepped In softly, and at the same time the tall postmaster and his buxom wife I appeared at the side door, with their two pretty daughters behind them. Chopin, unmindful of his audience, and absorbed in converse with his muse, had lost all thought of where he 'was, and that he must soon be on his way. More and more tender and graceful became his playing. The fairies seemed to be singing their moonlight melodies. Every one was listening with rapt attention to the elegant arabesques sparkling from his fingers, when a stentorian voice which made the windows rattle called out, **• The horses are ready, gentle men 1" " Confounded disturber 1 roared the postmaster, while the triplet of ladies cast angry glances at the postillion. Chopin epraug from his seat, but was immediately surrounded by his audience, who exclaimed with one voice, "Go on, dear sir; finish that glorious piece, which we should have heard &U through but for that tiresome man." " But," replied Chopin, consulting his Watch, "we nave already been here some hours, and are due In Posen shortly." ! ." Stay and play, noble young artist," cried the postmaster. " I will give you courier's horses if you will only remain a little longer." ' "Iβ be persuaded." began, the postmaster's wife.almost threatening him with an embrace. What could Frederic do but sit down again to the piano. When he paused the servant appeared with wine and glasses; the daughters of the host served the artist first, then the other travellers, while'the postmaster gave a Cheer for the darling Polyhymnias (aaJae expressed it), in which all united. One of the company—probably the town cantorwent close up to Chopin and said, in a voice trembling with emotion, "Sir, lam an old man and thoroughly trained musician; I, too, play the piano, and so know ho w to appreciate your masterly performance; if Mozart had heard it he would' have grasped your hand aod cried bravo} An insignificant old man like myself Cannot dare to do so."

The women in their gratitude filled the pockets of the carriage with the best eat* ables which the house contained, not forgetting some good wine. The postmaster exclaimed with tears of joy, "As long as I 'live, I shall think with enthusiasm of Frederic Chopin." When, alter playing one more mazurka, Chopin prepared to go hie gigantic host seized him in his arms and carried him to the carriage. The postillion, still sulky over his scolding, and jealous because the pretty servant girl could not take her eyes off the interesting virtuoso, whispered to her, "Things often go very unfairly in the world. The young gentleman is carried into the carriage by the master himself. The like of us must climb laboriously on to the box by ourselves, though we are musical." \a after years Chopin often related how, like the old minstrels who went from town to town with their harps, and received good cheer as their honorarium, he had played at Zullichau for cakes, fruit, and good wine 5 and assured his most intimate friends that the highest praise lavished on him b> the press had never given more pleasure than the naive bomage of the German who in his eagerness to hear had let his pipe go out.