MILLIONAIRES AND MUSIC

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 304, 19 December 1908, Page 4

MILLIONAIRES AND MUSIC

It is a peculiar fact, but true, nevertheless, that when conversation turns upon the subject of millionaires there arises in one's mind a brain picture showing the ephemeral figure of a sordid uiaa gloating and grasping at his golden hoard; a man of miserly expression, whose heart is buried in his wealth, whose soul is stirred only by the musical clink of Ids coin. We look upon him as a stranger lo the finer feelings and sentiment of the middle classes. Hut when 'one comes actually to know the owner of millions he is found to be a really human generally—a man who has the passions and weaknesses common to us all. ROCKEFELLER'S PASSION FOR MUSIC.

Take, for instance, the ease of John! 1). Rockefeller during the recent financi- j al crisis. The average person would j have pictured the Money King retiring j to his rooms after business hours worried and perplexed, scheming hard to make money out of the public panic. But the potent magnate did nothing of the sort. Directly he had paid out the money to stop the panic as far as he could he slipped away to his houseboat, drew his favourite violin from its case, and fiddled away until he was lost in rhapsody. A trivial circumstances m itself, but it reveals in a new light the subtle power of music. Mr. Rockefeller's most absorbing indoor recreation is violin-playing, and it is a question which lies closer to his heart —his bow or his golf-clubs. Not only has he mastered the violin, but helms studied the history of music and the 'art of the concert muster. In his home he has organised a small orchestra, in which his son, John D. Rockefeller, jun., plays first violin. The latter is even a better performer than bis father, and in his college days was the star member of the Brown College Glee Club. Both father and son are severe musical critics.

'SCHWAB A COMPOSER. Charles Schwab, the steel magnate, is another type of millionaire who gives the lie to the old belief Unit the rattle of money alone is pleasant to the ear of the rich man. While sensitive in the highest degree to the rhythm of the hammer in the steel forge, Schwab can woo from the organ and the piano soulstirring melody. In tile gorgeous music-room of Mr. Schwab's palace on Riverside Drive, like a rare jewel in a costly setting stands his wonderful pipe organ, the c*ost of which would settle the National Debt of some countries. Here, when the day's work is done—for Mr. Schwab, though many times a 'millionaire, works as hard" as any struggling manual labourer ill his employ—he shuts 'himself up to court the gracious muse of music, and as his lingers stray over the. keys .the sordid cares of money-getting and the greed for gold are all forgotten in delicate and subtly beautilul improvisations. . As an improvisator Mr. Schwab shows the innate skill of a true musical genius, and as an organist and pianist his work is consistently brilliant.

CAKXECiE PLAYS A "JAPANESE TUBE." The giving away of libraries is the host-known of Andrew Carnegie's pastimes. But the gift of organs to country churches, is another of his hobbies, for he is passionately fond of all harmony. The instrument upon which this canny Scotch millionaire himself plays is a curious Japanese arrangement called " musical tubes." It consists of eight graduated metal tubes, suggesting the pipes of a miniature organ. It is played with a mallet, and is the only instrument of its kind in Great Britain. Scotch airs and national hymns are Mr. Carnegie's favourites on this queer but effective instrument.

When working hard lit' invariably finds relaxation by shutting himself m his library with his •'musical tubes" and making melody. Mr. Carnegie also is a skilled musical critic, and knows by heart the works of all the leading composers, lie. is also fond of the Scottish bagpipes, and visitors to his Highland home at Skibo Castle are called to breakfast with the sound of the bagpipes '•skirling'' in their ears. In a home, orchestra, similar to that of the Rockefellers, the late Cornelius Yanderbilt led his little family, all accomplished musicians, while his eldest son, the Cornelius of the present day, played first violin. Cornelius Vanderbilt the elder was a passionate lover of good music, and at one time he spent £B.OOO on a piano. A'SliCAll KING'S ATTAINMENTS. Henry 0. Uavemeycr, the Sugar King, is a violinist whose skill surpasses that of mauv professionals. He is the proud possessor of a Stradivarius and one or two other ■famous violins, and in his hours of recreation is first and foremost a musician. Theodore Uavemeycr, •his brother, lias a tenor voice of remarkable quality and beauty, and the two spend many an evening, the one accompanying the other, in mutual musical enjoyment far sweeter than thenfamous sugar. Another example of the harmony existin" between art and music is furnished in the home life of Harry Payne Whitnev, the millionaire sportsman. White ill's. AVhitney, who was Gertrude Vandcrbilt, devotes herself to painting and sculpture, Harry Payne Whitney finds an outlet for his artistic temperament in the violin, yet each is profoundly interested in the art of the other.