Sensitive sense of hearing – Camille Saint-Saens

When he was a boy, the parents of famous French composer Camille Saint-Saens (1835-1921) took him to a concert. Before that, little Camille heard only single performances of piano and violin, but on that occasion he was listening a real symphony concert.

Later, in his memoires, Camille Saint-Saens wrote:

“The impression of the orchestra was entirely different and I listened with delight to a passage played by a quartet, when, suddenly, came a blast from the brass instruments—the trumpets, trombones and cymbals. I broke into loud cries, “Make them stop. They prevent my hearing the music.” They had to take me out.”

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Hands are not sufficient – Joseph Haydn and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791) once bet with his older colleague, compatriot Joseph Haydn (1732-1809), in a crate of best champagne. This bet was some kind of playing competition. They both were supposed to play some difficult composition that Mozart wrote on that day, and see who of them will be able to play it to the end.

Haydn agreed and the notes were placed on the spinet.

Just after a few strokes on the piano, Haydn saw that he wasn't up to it. He slowed down, and eventually stopped playing. This was because, while his two hands were playing at the both ends of the piano, he was supposed to press a key in the middle.

He tried to figure out how to do it, but he was out of ideas.

Then Mozart took his place and started playing.

When he got to that "improbable stroke", Mozart bowed his head and pressed the key - with his nose.

 

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Wrong setup – George Enescu

Famous Romanian violinist, composer, pianist, conductor and teacher George Enescu (1881-1955) was once asked by a distinguished fellow compatriot to take care of musical career of his son, who had ambitions to become a violinist.

Unfortunately, that boy was not musically gifted but since Enescu owed a big favor to his friend, he agreed to do it.

He tried really hard to teach the boy how to play, but his efforts were without much success. Through his contacts he even managed to arrange him a debut concert in the Gavo Concert Hall in Paris.

Since he didn’t have the courage to ask of some pianist to accompany the unskilled violinist on the stage, Enesku took on himself that ungrateful task.

Before the concert, he asked the audience if there is anyone willing to assist him by turning pages for him while he is following the violinist. Alfred Cortot, at that time the most famous pianist in France, volunteered immediately.

As might have been assumed, the concert was a disaster.

Two days later, daily newspaper Le Figaro published a review of the concert. The article was brief, but eloquent:

”Last night, at the Gavo Concert Hall, a curious event took place. It was a violin and piano recital at which the man who played the piano should have been playing the violin and the man turning the pages should have been playing the piano, while the man playing the violin should have been turning the pages!”

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Tempest! – Ludwig van Beethoven

Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827), famous German composer, was asked once why is his Sonata Op.31 No.2 in D minor named "The Tempest Sonata ".

Beethoven, who was known as closed and unfriendly man, replied:

- You want to know why is this is sonata called "The Tempest "? Then read attentively Shakespeare’s Tempest!

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Always respect your host – Sergei Rachmaninoff and Arthur Rubinstein

On one occasion, famous pianist Arthur Rubinstein (1887-1982), hosted a dinner in honor of his esteemed colleague and composer Sergei Rachmaninoff (1873-1943).

As it was expected, everyone was talking about music.

During dinner, Russian composer pointed out that, in his opinion, Grieg’s Piano Concerto is the most beautiful piano concerto ever written.

 

- How fortunate! - Arthur Rubinstein added happily - I just made a record of me playing Grieg Piano Concerto!

Sergei Rachmaninoff received this news with enthusiasm. He asked from his host to play him that record. After that, with closed eyes, he listened with great care Rubinstein‘s interpretation of Grieg’s music. At some point, Rachmaninoff suddenly opened his eyes, as if he woke up, and exclaimed:

- Rubinstein, you must have played it on a broken piano.

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Good memory is a bad thing – Ignacy Jan Paderewski

While they listened a farewell concert of the famous Polish pianist, composer and politician Ignacy Jan Paderewski (1860-1941), two musicians, in the audience, grumbled about him mercilessly:

- My God, this man can’t remember anything! Have you noticed just how many notes he forgot to play! - whispered the first.

- Poor man! - added another musician. – It is not so bad that he has forgotten some things. The things he remembers are played awful.

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Much Better!

When a friend of Gioacchino Rossini (1792-1868) came to visit this famous opera composer, he found him, as usual - playing the piano.

Rossini's friend, who was  a conductor, was surprised when he saw that on the piano was the score of Wagner's opera "Tannhauser", but turned upside down.

"Maestro, how is it that you play with the notes turned upside down," asked the conductor.

"I tried it in another way, but it sounded terrible. Now I have turned them upside down. This way it is much bearable! ", cheerfully replied Rossini.

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Interesting Advice

Vladimir Horowitz

 

As a young pianist, Vladimir Horowitz (1903-1989), who afterwords became famous musician, met an already famous fellow of his Artur Schnabel (1882-1951).

Knowing that he will without doubt dedicate his life to concert appearances, Horowitz asked Schnabel to give him advice on what to do when he comes to those parts of composition that are the hardest to play.

“What to do when you start loosing it? Start to mug! Make pinching and painful expressions ... It will certainly draw the attention of the audience from the music, “advised him Schnabel.

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