Chopin played quite impromptu two movements
of his E minor concerto, supplanting a tremulous amateur. In
Dresden where they arrived November 10, they enjoyed themselves
with music. Chopin went to a soiree at Dr. Kreyssig's and was
overwhelmed at the sight of a circle of dames armed with knitting
needles which they used during the intervals of music-making in
the most formidable manner. He heard Auber and Rossini operas and
Rolla, the Italian violinist, and listened with delight to
Dotzauer and Kummer the violoncellists--the cello being an
instrument for which he had a consuming affection. Rubini, the
brother of the great tenor, he met, and was promised important
letters of introduction if he desired to visit Italy. He saw
Klengel again, who told the young Pole, thereby pleasing him very
much, that his playing was like John Field's. Prague was also
visited, and he arrived at Vienna in November. There he
confidently expected a repetition of his former successes, but
was disappointed. Haslinger received him coldly and refused to
print his variations or concerto unless he got them for nothing.
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