Some of his confreres have not hesitated to describe him
as a bit snobbish, for during the last ten years of his life he
was generally inaccessible. But consider his retiring nature, his
suspicious Slavic temperament, above all his delicate health!
Where one accuses him of indifference and selfishness there are
ten who praise his unfaltering kindness, generosity and
forbearance. He was as a rule a kind and patient teacher, and
where talent was displayed his interest trebled. Can you fancy
this Ariel of the piano giving lessons to hum-drum pupils!
Playing in a charmed and bewitching circle of countesses,
surrounded by the luxury and the praise that kills, Chopin is a
much more natural figure, yet he gave lessons regularly and
appeared to relish them. He had not much taste for literature. He
liked Voltaire though he read but little that was not Polish--did
he really enjoy Sand's novels?--and when asked why he did not
compose symphonies or operas, answered that his metier was the
piano, and to it he would stick. He spoke French though with a
Polish accent, and also German, but did not care much for German
music except Bach and Mozart.
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