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President - Medals Medal of Freedom - Rubinstein, Arthur (1)
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President - Medals Medal of Freedom - Rubinstein, Arthur (1)
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The original documents are located in Box 47, folder "President - Medals Medal of
Freedom - Rubinstein, Artur (1)" of the Philip Buchen Files at the Gerald R. Ford
Presidential Library.
Copyright Notice
The copyright law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code) governs the making of
photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material. Gerald R. Ford donated to the United
States of America his copyrights in all of his unpublished writings in National Archives collections.
Works prepared by U.S. Government employees as part of their official duties are in the public
domain. The copyrights to materials written by other individuals or organizations are presumed to
remain with them. If you think any of the information displayed in the PDF is subject to a valid
copyright claim, please contact the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library.
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materials. Please contact the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library for access to
these materials.
Digitized from Box 47 of the Philip Buchen Files at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library
Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Rubinstein
22 Square L'Avenue Foch
80 Avenue Foch
Paris 75116 France
Elena (Medical School at Columbia)
Ava
Johnny (acting)
Judy (Johnny's wife)
Secretary:
Mrs. J. N. Clemans
The Drake Hotel
(212) 421-0900
Park Avenue at 56th Street
New York, New York 10022
FORD & LIBRARY 0ERALD
medal of
Freeman
Monday 2/9/76
2:45 Mrs. Buchen said she has just come from a big luncheon
with Beverly Sills and a large group of people.
One of the men came un and said that Artur Rubenstein
will be 90 on March 6th He has received honors from
governments all over the world. Has been an American
citizen since the 40's and is so devoted and loyal to this
country. They feel it would be a wonderful thing if the
President could award him the Medal of Freedom.
Mrs. Buchen feels we should contact whoever is in charge
of these medals and recommend to them that Rubenstein
be given the Medal of Freedom on his 90th birthday.
Thought perhaps we could also get word to Mrs. Ford and
work it from both sides of the White House.
the President's
team and the First Lady's team.
Medal of
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
February 10, 1976
MEMORANDUM FOR:
DICK CHENEY
ROBERT HARTMANN
JACK MARSH
FROM:
PHIL BUCHEN
T.W.B.
SUBJECT:
Award of Presidential Medal
of Freedom to Artur Rubinstein
I have been asked to propose Artur Rubinstein as a
candidate for the above award. As you may know,
he has had a long and spectacular career as a
pianist. He was born in Poland on January 28, 1886,
and became an American citizen in 1946. He has
earned a worldwide reputation and has been the
recipient of numerous decorations from other
countries including the Commander of the Legion of
Honor (France) ; Officer of the Order of Santiago
(Portugal) ; Cross of Alfonso XII (Spain) ; Commander
of the Crown and Officer, Order of Leopold I
(Belgium) ; Polonia Restituta (Poland) ; and Commander
of the Chilean Republic.
He has given concerts to raise money for many worthy
causes and he undertook a concert tour of the Soviet
Union in 1964 as part of the U. S.-Soviet Cultural
Exchange Program.
Mr. Rubinstein is scheduled to be in Washington on
March 6 which might offer a suitable occasion for
the award of the medal, if we can determine well
in advance of that time that he should receive one.
On the general subject of awarding this medal, I
understand that the proposed Executive Order to
- 2 -
establish an advisory committee to screen suggestions
is still being long delayed after many months. Also,
in that connection, there have been some proposals
pending to honor a group of Americans with the
Presidential Medal of Freedom in connection with the
celebration for our Bicentennial year and to do SO on
or close to July 4. The thought was to select people
who have made the most distinctive contributions in
the arts, sciences and community endeavors at which
time we could include others.
In any event, I urge prompt concurrence in the
Rubinstein suggestion either by itself or in connec-
tion with a Bicentennial awards ceremony.
CC: Robin West
CURRENT
BIOGRAPHY
YEARBOOK
1966
EDITOR
CHARLES MORITZ
ASSOCIATE EDITORS
EVELYN LOHR
HENRY SLOAN
KIERAN DUGAN
NEW YORK
THE H. W. WILSON COMPANY
CURRENT
11
BIOGRAPHY
WHO'S NEWS AND WHY
1945
EDITOR
Anna Rothe
ASSISTANT EDITOR
Helen Demarest
THE H. W. WILSON COMPANY
NEW YORK, N. Y.
Rubinstein Signs
New Disk Contract
Artur Rubinstein has
signed a new five-year ret
cording contract with RCA
JUN 1975
Records.
The 89-year-old pianist;
who has just finished re-
recording all five Beethoven
concertos, has been an RCA
artist since 1940; his
records released on RCA in
this country in the nine-
teen-thirties were made by
the Gramophone Company,
Ltd., of Britain. Mr. Rubin-
NEW YORK TIMES
stein is the top best-selling
classical pianist on records,
with over eight million
disks sold.
Give A Happy Time Via
The Fresh Air Fund
FORDO is 038870 LIBRARY
3-2498
SPOTLIGHT ON THE ARTS NO. 65
DECEMBER 12, 1975
LAY/NELSON
EXHIBIT: "THE EUROPEAN VISION OF AMERICA" (LAY)
(INSERTS IN TAPE LIBRARY)
BRIEF ENCOUNTER WITH ARTHUR RUBINSTEIN (NELSON)
(VOICED PIECE AND INSERTS IN TAPE LIBRARY)
p.6
NOTE TO EDITORS: SPOTLIGHT NO. 65 SEGMENT "CHINESE
ART IN THE 18TH CENTURY" (BICENTENNIAL PROGRAM)
WILL APPEAR IN SPOTLIGHT NO. 66 AS "THE ART OF ASIA
IN THE 18TH CENTURY"
ANNCR: AND NOW, THE VOICE OF AMERICA PRESENTS SPOTLIGHT ...
A WEEKLY PROGRAM OF NEWS AND VIEWS ON PEOPLE AND
EVENTS IN THE WORLD OF ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT. YOUR
HOST IS
NARR: TODAY, WE TAKE YOU FIRST TO THE NATIONAL GALLERY IN
WASHINGTON, D.C. FOR THE OPENING OF THIS INSTITUTION'S
FIRST BICENTENNIAL EXHIBITION WHICH GIVES AMERICANS A
UNIQUE VIEW OF THEMSELVES AS SEEN THROUGH THE EYES
OF OTHERS. THEN, FROM NEW YORK, WE HAVE AN ACCOUNT
OF A MEETING WITH THE ALMOST AGELESS, ALMOST LEGENDARY,
INTERNATIONAL VIRTUOSO OF THE PIANO, ARTHUR RUBINSTEIN.
THE EUROPEAN VISION OF AMERICA (LAY) 3-2498
NARR: THE NATIONAL GALLERY OF ART IN WASHINGTON, D.C. HAS
OPENED ITS BICENTENNIAL CELEBRATION WITH AN EXHIBITION
THAT ILLUSTRATES THE STORY OF AMERICA -- BUT NOT
THE WAY AMERICANS HAVE SEEN IT. IT IS CALLED "THE
EUROPEAN VISION OF AMERICA" AND TRACES, THROUGH FIVE
:
FORD
CENTURIES, THE WAY EUROPEANS HAVE SEEN AND DEPICTED
GERALD
LIBRARY
THIS CONTINENT AND ITS INHABITANTS.
SPOTLIGHT ON THE ARTS #65
PAGE 6
VOICE: THIS EXHIBITION DOES NOT TELL US MUCH ABOUT THE REALITIES
(CONT)
OF AMERICAN HISTORY BUT AS A MIRROR OF EUROPEAN ATTITUDES
IT DEMONSTRATES, IN A WEALTH OF STRIKING AND DRAMATIC
IMAGES, MANY OF THE REALITIES THAT INFLUENCED THE
FLUCTUATING RELATIONS BETWEEN THE OLD WORLD AND THE NEW.
AFTER ITS SHOWING AT THE NATIONAL GALLERY IN WASHINGTON,
"THE EUROPEAN VISION OF AMERICA" WILL BE SEEN AT THE
CLEVELAND MUSEUM OF ART AND IN THE GRAND PALAIS IN PARIS.
X
X
X
X
BRIEF ENCOUNTER WITH ARTHUR RUBINSTEIN (NELSON) 3-2498
NARR: "GREAT PERFORMANCES," A TELEVISION SERIES PRESENTING THE
BEST IN SERIOUS MUSIC, DRAMA AND THE DANCE, WILL FOCUS
ON THE ARTISTRY OF PIANIST ARTHUR RUBINSTEIN IN A SPECIAL
CHRISTMAS EVE PROGRAM. RECENTLY MISTER RUBINSTEIN,
TOGETHER WITH A SMALL GROUP OF FRIENDS AND REPORTERS,
WATCHED A PREVIEW OF THE BROADCAST. VOA'S HERBERT
NELSON ATTENDED THE SCREENING AND HERE IS HIS STORY
VOICE: AMAZING!- THIS WORD, FOLLOWED BY AN EXCLAMATION MARK,
BEST DESCRIBES ARTHUR RUBINSTEIN, THE ARTIST AND THE
MAN.
WATCHING HIM AT THE PIANO AS THE CAMERA MOVES IN
FOR A CLOSE-UP OF HIS HANDS GETTING READY TO TOUCH THE
0
KEYS - ONE WONDERS HOW THESE WRINKLED, ALMOST ARTHRITIC-
x
LOOKING, HANDS CAN GET A SINGLE TONE OUT OF THE
INSTRUMENT. BUT THEN HE STARTS PLAYING AND HIS FINGERS
DANCE ACROSS THE KEYBOARD WITH AN. ELAN THAT SEEMS
AGELESS. THERE'S BOTH POWER AND GENTLENESS IN THESE
LIBRARY GERALD R. FORD
SPOTLIGHT ON THE ARTS #65
PAGE 7
0
VOICE
HANDS TO MAKE THE CHORDS RESPOND ACCORDINGLY.
(CONT)
/
AMAZING!
IT'S THE ONE WORD THAT COMES TO MIND. AND THIS REACTION
WAS SHARED BY HOWARD TAUBMAN, THE FORMER MUSIC CRITIC
OF THE NEW YORK TIMES AND A LONG-TIME FRIEND OF THE
PIANIST
TAPE: CUT SIX -- TAUDMAN
"TO ME IT'S REMARKABLE THAT A MAN OF HIS AGE NOT ONLY
CAN HANDLE THE PROBLEMS OF THE PIANO TECHNICALLY BUT GETS
DEEPER AND DEEPER INTO THE HEART OF THE MUSIC. HE
FEELS - CLOSE TO NINETY - THAT HE STILL IS LEARNING --
AND I THINK THAT'S REMARKABLE."
VOICE: AS A MATTER OF FACT, ARTHUR RUBINSTEIN - LIKE so MANY
GREAT ARTISTS - - IS SELDOM TOTALLY SATISFIED WITH HIS
PLAYING.
AFTER A PERFORMANCE OR A RECORDING SESSION
0
HE OFTEN COMPLAINS: "I COULD HAVE PLAYED THIS PASSAGE
BETTER, OR DONE THAT CADENCE MORE SWIFLY." AND BACK HE
GOES TO HIS STUDIO TO REHEARSE OR, AS HE CALLS IT, TO
LEARN.
AND WHEN HE PREPARES A CONCERT HE CONTINUES TO
STUDY HOW TO APPROACH MOST FAITHFULLY EACH PARTICULAR
PIECE OF MUSIC. REFERRING TO THAT PROCESS HE TOLD ME...
TAPE: CUT SEVEN -- RUBINSTEIN:
"I COMPARE ALWAYS OUR LIVES A LITTLE BIT TO THE LIVES OF
PAINTERS. IF YOU ASK FOR YOUR PORTRAIT BEING PAINTED BY
TEN FAMOUS PAINTERS, YOUR FACE WILL BE DIFFERENT, AND
THEY WILL SWEAR THAT THEY CAN SEE YOU ONLY IN THEIR OWN
WAY. THAT HAPPENS To, LET'S SAY, TEN PIANISTS WHO
HAVE TO PLAY THE SAME BEETHOVEN SONATA. THE SONATA
SPEAKS TO US DIFFERENTLY. I RECEIVE THE MESSAGE FROM
THE BEETHOVEN SONATA DIFFERENTLY THAN MISTER HOROWITZ
OR MISTER SERKIN OR MISTER RICHTER. YOU SEE, MY
COMPARISON IS PRETTY GOOD."
LIBRARY GERALD R. FORD
SPOTLIGHT ON THE ARTS #65
PAGE 8
VOICE: WE WERE ALL SITTING TOGETHER IN A SMALL BANQUET ROOM OF
A HOTEL IN MIDTOWN MANHATTAN. EACH OF US - WITH A DRINK
OR A CUP OF COFFEE IN HAND WAS WATCHING - TOGETHER WITH
MISTER RUBINSTEIN - A PREVIEW OF HIS CHRISTMAS EVE
SPECIAL ON CLOSED-CIRCUIT TELEVISION. WE WATCHED HIM
PLAY SCHUBERT'S "IMPROMPTU NUMBER FOUR," BRAHMS'
"INTERMEZZO NUMBER TWO," AND TWO WORKS OF HIS
FAVORITE COMPOSER, CHOPIN: THE "SCHERZO IN B-FLAT MINOR"
AND THE "CONCERTO FOR PIANO AND ORCHESTRA IN F-MINOR."
HERE IS ONE OF MY FAVORITE PARTS FROM THE CONCERTO, THE
SOFT, MELODIOUS ENDING OF THE FIRST MOVEMENT
TAPE: CUT EIGHT -- MUSIC: ENDING FIRST MOVEMENT PIANO CONCERTO
F-MINOR -- TIME: 21:00 FADE AT WILL.
VOICE: EVERYONE APPLAUDED, AND MISTER RUBINSTEIN THANKED US BY
SAYING HOW GREAT IT WAS TO BE APPLAUDED WHILE JUST SITTING
THERE AND DOING NOTHING BUT WATCHING HIS OWN PERFORMANCE.
FROM THAT MOMENT ON THIS AMAZING MAN WOULD TALK, TELL
STORIES AND NOT GET TIRED ANSWERING A BARRAGE OF QUESTIONS.
TO CRITIC HOWARD TAUBMAN THIS WAS NOTHING NEW AND NOTHING
ASTONISHING. HE HAD EXPERIENCED MANY SIMILAR OCCASIONS.
AND HE TOLD ME ABOUT ONE OF THEM. SEVERAL YEARS AGO
ARTHUR RUBINSTEIN WAS INVITED TO GIVE A MIDNIGHT CONCERT
AT SOME FESTIVE GATHERING HERE IN NEW YORK
TAPE: CUT NINE -- TAUBMAN:
"HE SAT DOWN AT THE PIANO AND PLAYED - PLAYED BRILLIANTLY
FOR MAYBE AN HOUR. BY THIS TIME IT WAS ONE OR TWO IN THE
LIBRARY GERALD F. FORD
MORNING. THEN HE AND I AND A SMALL GROUP OF FRIENDS WENT
TO A VERY NICE RESTAURANT AND SAT THERE UNTIL DAWN, AND
HE HELD THE FLOOR TELLING STORIES. AT THAT POINT HE WAS A
YOUNG FELLOW IN HIS SEVENTIES."
SPOTLIGHT ON THE ARTS #65
PAGE 9
VOICE: WELL, NOW ARTHUR RUDINSTEIN IS A YOUNG FELLOW OF EIGHTY-
NINE, AND NOTHING IN HIS IN-BORN EXUBERANCE AND LOVE OF
LIFE SEEMS TO HAVE CHANGED. HE IS GRATEFUL FOR EVERYTHING
HE HAS FOUND IN THIS WORLD AND WITHIN HIMSELF
TAPE: CUT TEN -- RUBINSTEIN:
"NHO CAN TAKE AWAY FROM YOU YOUR FEELINGS, YOUR LOVE,
YOUR IMAGINATION? WHO CAN TAKE IT AWAY FROM YOU AND
THEN THERE ARE THE FLOWERS - AND THE WOMEN FOR THE
MEN, AND THE MEN FOR THE WOMEN AND THERE'S MUSIC,
POETRY, BOOKS - AND THE BEST FRIENDS I HAVE ARE BOOKS -
YOU KNOW."
VOICE: ARTHUR RUBINSTEIN PROBABLY CAN CONVINCE EVEN THE POOREST
SOUL THAT LIFE IS JUST A BOWL OF CHERRIES. HIS KIND OF
MUSIC-MAKING CERTAINLY CAN ACCOMPLISH THAT - AT LEAST
FOR THE DURATION OF THE CONCERT. AND HIS ENTHUSIASTIC
PHILOSOPHY OF LIFE CAN PROVE QUITE CONTAGIOUS WHEN HE
TELLS YOU...
TAPE: CUT ELEVEN -- RUBINSTEIN:
"YOU MUST GRAB EVERYTHING BY THE HAIR AND ENJOY IT."
VOICE: I CERTAINLY DID ENJOY EVERY MOMENT OF MY BRIEF ENCOUNTER
WITH ARTHUR RUBINSTEIN.
ANNCR: AND THAT BRINGS TO AN END OUR SPOTLIGHT ON THE ARTS FOR
TODAY. LISTEN AGAIN (NEXT WEEK SAME TIME) WHEN THE
VOICE OF AMERICA WILL PRESENT ANOTHER IN THIS SERIES
OF NEWS AND VIEWS ON PEOPLE AND EVENTS IN THE WORLD
OF ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT. THIS IS
LIBRARY GERALD FORD
##
##
##
RC/PY/PBM
Flowery and Forgetful,
Lodz Cheers Rubinstein
JUN
By HENR RAMM
Specialito The New York Times
LODZ, Poland
May
30-
toward the public in embracing
Arthur Rubinstem returned in
gestures.
triumph tonight to the grimy
He sat down again at the
textile town where he was
piano and, speaking in Polish,
born more than 88 years ago
said what they wanted to hear:
"I have been asked to play
and where he gave his first
Chopin's 'Polonaise." There
concert shortly thereafter, be-
was no need to specify which
fore he was 8.
of the many Polonaises he
The great pianist came to
would dedicate to the occasion.
help the Lodz Philharmonic
It had to be the "Grand Polo-
celebrate its founding 60 years
naise," which in this intensely
ago, when he was already a
national-minded country ex-
virtuoso celebrated on several
presses love of Poland even
continents.
more than does the national
"Two of my uncles were on
anthem.
the first board of this orches-
Sentiment for Town
tra" he said in a reflective
PAGE
AR
JANUARY 26, 1975
Happiness Is
Artur Rubinstein
at 87, 88 or 89
BY MARTIN BERNHEIMER
"I am the happiest man I ever met in my life," beams
Artur Rubinstein.
It is a sobering thought. Rubinstein, after all, has
been meeting people all over the world, for 89 years.
And most of the people with whom he has come into
contact have been happy. Admittedly, they may not
have felt. that way before the encounter but it is diffi.
AR
JANUARY 26, 1975
Happiness Is
Artur Rubinstein
at 87, 88 or 89
BY MARTIN BERNHEIMER
"I am the happiest man I ever met in my life," beams
Artur Rubinstein.
It is a sobering thought. Rubinstein, after all, has
PAGE 48
Los Angeles Times CALENDAR
Rubinstein the idol is, of course, bigger than life-size, but Rubinstein the man, as revealed by Rubinstein in a British TV documentary, is capable of a charming self-mockery.
Music
SUNDAY, JANUARY 26, 1975
Happiness Is
Rubinstein at 87,88 or 89
Continued from First Page
agreed to come and talk to the students between
just an anterma.") He explains why BD two people play
concerts.
courtesy of videotape. Accompanying Rubinstein OR
the same music the same way. (No two bees make the
this visit was a representative of the International Pia-
Ambassador, educational wing of the Worldwides.
same honey in the comb. You know why? Because each
Competition
in
Termsslom
for
the
First
Church of God, is not exactly a mecca of advanced mu-
bee likes different flowers.")
THE WASHINGTON POST
ARTS
Friday, March 14, 1975
B'll
Rubinstein: A Focus on a Master
By Paul Hume
known love of women, wine
To music students in Jeru-
caust of World War II, Ru-
and fine foods, Rubinstein
salem he says, "I once
binstein cannot speak,
Artur Rubinstein has long
has always loved travel. The
had a special place in the
film takes him from Isfahan
adored Wagner. It was a
Twice his mouth opens, but
world of musical perform-
to Persepolis, to Paris
kind of disease, like Wag-
no words come out. Finally,
ance. But how many people
neritis. I played it all the
with a soundless "Allons,"
where he had several homes,
know him as a mimic of
time on the piano, went to
he turns and walks away
to Brooklyn and to Central
extraordinary talents, a man
Park, to Beverly Hills and
dinner with Wagnerian sing-
slowly. "Over 100 of my rel-
whose facial gestures rank
-
ers went to every perform
atives were killed in those
26
C
About New York
The Happiest Man in the World
By JOHN CORRY
"I only regret that it is and beautiful women. He said
so late in the day," Arthur that when he was 30, a
abinste was saying, aT
singer introduced him to
though he did not sound
cigars and that because they
truly regretful at all. "Ah, 87
were very fine cigars, he has
a large number," he said.
never gotten over it. "It was
"I should respond to it." He
like Chopin, like Brahms, a
was talking about ihs 87th
revelation," he said.
birthdav. which was on Mon-
WASHINGTON STAR-NEWS
G-5
Washington, D. C., Sunday, January 20, 1974
Portfolio
Rubinstein
Critics
the Actor
Newhouse News Service
'A Kid Who Can Write Mu-
Choice
NEW YORK Someone
sic.
"
Continued From
once asked John Rubin-
stein, the young star of
DESPITE HIS semi-
Broadway's hit musical
Etcetera
The Ice Capades
abandonment of that en-
tion. That great, corny, colorful
"Pippin," how it felt "to
deavor, John Rubinstein is
American tradition, glides into
have a genius for a father."
still "a kid who can write
the Capital Centre Tuesday for
His answer was: "How
music." He and a friend,
18 performances through Feb.
should I know? He's the
Tim McIntire, wrote the
3
only father I've ever had."
score for the Robert Red-
WSN
When spring comes, will
ford film, "Jeremiah John-
there be gasoline? Never mind.
son," and also for the new
The show goes on, starting Sot-
WORLD FAMOUS pianist
Dennis Hopper movie, "Kid
urday at 1 p.m., when the
Artur Rubinstein, who
Blue." The Winnipeg Ballet
started his own career at
Washington Recreational Vehi-
has commissioned him to
six in Warsaw, and was a
cle, Sports, Camping & Travel
write a ballet score, and he
soloist with the Berlin Sym-
Show opens in the National
is also responsible for the
phony Orchestra at 13,
Guard Armory, for a 9-day run.
musical score for the film,
wanted his son to be a con-
"The Candidate," which
ductor. (An older son, John
also starred Redford.
says, "to the family shame,
Children
made his public school sessions
is a stock broker.") In the
"Music plays an impor-
a popular tradition.
fifth grade, John decided he
tant part in my life," said
The American Film Institute
wanted to be an actor. His
the actor, whose current
The mysteries of pirouette
starts a new movie series, for
father pleaded: "Go to the
show at the Imperial Thea-
and pas de deux will be unrav-
children with "Mighty Joe
conservatory first. Then if
ter here recently passed its
eled to 15,000 students as Ar-
Young," Saturday at 11:30 and
you want, be an actor."
500th performance. "But I
thur Mitchell and the Dance
2 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m.
"Of course, 1/20/74 I naturally
guess I was determined not
Theater of Harlem take over the
Joe, a gorilla, excapes from a
to be a pianist or a con-
Ford's Theater stage tomorrow
New York nightclub and shows
ductor either, for that mat-
for the next three weeks. Mitch-
a benevolent side by rescuing
didn't take father's ad-
ter. I feel my father should
ell's joyous dance company and
some children from a fire.
vice," said the 27-year-old
actor. "I did start taking
have gotten me' out of the
devotion to youngsters have
Jacqueline Trescott
piano lessons at four and
piano into something else.
continued to until I was 16.
But it seems to have worked
cluding a show called, "A
He thought I was okay. The
Then I up and quit. Now
out very well. Until 'Pippin'
Much Too Intimate, Not Too
best thing about the whole
7L OBSERVER
Week Ending July 28, 1973
Arthur Rubinstein
Era of Gaiety, Good Music Recalled
not of
By Herbert Kupferberg
try to teach them to be a little more pa-
FROM NEW YORK CITY
BR
tient."
In 1943, Alfred A. Knopf, the publish-
"That is true," he says. "You some-
er, gave Arthur Rubinstein. the pianist,
times talk to a 20-year-old boy and he is
an advance of $250 to write his memoirs.
bitter because he is not on top already.
Now, 30 years later, Rubinstein has de-
I do think they should try to develop cul-
livered an autobiography entitled My
turally as a person. They practice and
Young Years. It takes him only to the
practice and play and play, but in music,
age of 30 and the year 1917, but it covers
people should feel the whole impact of
a multiplicity of adventures, amatory as
your personality, not just your playing.
well as artistic. and it provides a brilliant
My own life proves this. I'm lazy and
Rubinstein at 85: Still a Fresh Outlook
By DONAL HENAHAN
Artur Rubinstein massaged
his right cheek with five
legendarily sensitive fingers
and squinted painfully. "I
don't feel well," the pianist
explained glumly. "I have a
kind of sub-flu. I took the
shots but I got it anyway.
I'm not used to being sick."
Then, having briefly in-
dulged himself, Mr. Rubin-
stein straightened in his chair,
and beamed like a man who
has gotten a dial tone. "But
my morale is somehow
stronger than ever. Why do
I go on? It's beyond real un-
derstanding, a mission. Three
days ago in Minneapolis I
played two concertos-the
Mozart D minor and the
Schumann-with the Minne-
sota Orchestra. I have never
felt more ill, and I never
played better. The Governor
was there and he read a-
what do you call it-a proc-
lamation. It was Artur Rub-
instein Day in the state." It
was exciting but Mr. Rubin-
stein said he felt more like
The New York Times
checking into the Mayo Clinic
Artur Rubinstein
than playing a concert.
On Midwinter Tou
blooded style and his obvious
world. The people are won-
Mr. Rubinstein, cele-
exuberance about music, no
derful."
brates his 85th birthday to-
matter the level of perform-
ance. "As you know, I was
Twenty-six years ago Al-
day, was interviewed the
fred A. Knopf, the publisher,
fly between concerts his
always the champion of
asked Mr. Rubinstein to write
hotel room in Buffale. He
wrong notes but I don't care,
his autobiography. "I was
gave a recital there Wednes-
because I need the impact of
flattered so I started right
day night as part of mid-
playing with the hands high
in. At 10 years old I stopped
winter tour that would try
off the keys."
dead because I had become
the endurance of a 20-year-
Too many young painists
a nasty little brat." But after
old pianist, let alone one
now, however, put their
a lapse of many years, Mr.
who was born in 1887, ac-
noses into the keys and take
Rubinstein started work again
cording to his latest mpu-
no chances. "That is not how
and now has produced 760
tation, just six months. after
the great ones played," Mr.
typed pages that carry his
the death of Franz Liszt. In
Rubinstein said with a snort,
career to 1916, the year he
the seven-day period efore
hilariously miming a pedantic
made a South American tour
the interview, Mr. Rubmstein
performer, nose down, gin-
that gave him his first great
had performed in Utica, Co-
gerly picking at the keys.
international success.
lumbus, Ohio, Minneapolis
"They forget what art is
and Pittsburgh.
for," Mr. Rubinstein said, his
Autobiography Requested
For a musician who has
good humor suddenly wan-
been performing in public for
cause the rest would only be
"I stop the book there be- FOR
ing. "We are given a short,
81 years (he took to the
horrible life-no god, no re-
a bore, a catalogue of con-
piano at age 3 and to the re-
ligion ever told us what it is
certs and so on. But I had a
medal of
Ireeman
Monday 2/9/76
2:45 Mrs. Buchen said she has just come from a big luncheon
with Beverly Sills and a large group of people.
One of the men came un and said that Artur Rubenstein
will be 90 on March 6the?? He has received honors from
governments all over the world. Has been an American
citizen since the 40's and is so devoted and loyal to this
country. They feel it would be a wonderful thing if the
President could award him the Medal of Freedom.
Mrs. Buchen feels we should contact whoever is in charge
of these medals and recommend to them that Rubenstein
be given the Medal of Freedom on his 90th birthday.
Thought perhaps we could also get word to Mrs. Ford and
work it from both sides of the White House
the President's
team and the First Lady's team.
&
FORD
GERALD
LIBRARY
Tuesday 2/17/76
11:05 Mr. Marsh has no problem with the Medal of Freedom
for Artur Rubinstein.
R.
GERALD
FORD
MEMORANDUM
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
February 20, 1976
MEMORANDUM FOR:
PHIL BUCHEN
FROM:
JIM CONNOR
SUBJECT:
Award of Presidential Medal of Freedom
to Artur Rubinstein
Dick Cheney sent me your memo to him of February 10th re the above.
I agree that Artur Rubinstein is a prime candidate for the
Presidential Medal of Freedom. It appears, however, that
it would not be possible to have the President give him the
award when he is here on March 6th since we expect the
President to be out of the city on that date. A more appropriate
occasion would be the Honor America celebration in connection
with the Bicentennial currently planned for July.
Staffing on the Executive Order for the advisory committee should
be completed shortly. Once the committee is in place, the proposal
for a number of awards will be presented to them and they
will then make recommendations to the President. The Executive
Order is being staffed by the Domestic Council and we have asked
them a number of times to expedite it.
CC: Jack Marsh
Bob Hartmann
RBC HAS SECHN
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
February 10, 1976
handle
MEMORANDUM FOR:
DICK CHENEY
ROBERT HARTMANN
JACK MARSH
FROM:
PHIL BUCHEN
T.W.B.
SUBJECT:
Award of Presidential Medal
of Freedom to Artur Rubinstein
I have been asked to propose Artur Rubinstein as a
candidate for the above award. As you may know,
he has had a long and spectacular career as a
pianist. He was born in Poland on January 28, 1886,
and became an American citizen in 1946. He has
earned a worldwide reputation and has been the
recipient of numerous decorations from other
countries including the Commander of the Legion of
Honor (France) ; Officer of the Order of Santiago
(Portugal) ; Cross of Alfonso XII (Spain) ; Commander
of the Crown and Officer, Order of Leopold I
(Belgium) ; Polonia Restituta (Poland) ; and Commander
of the Chilean Republic.
He has given concerts to raise money for many worthy
causes and he undertook a concert tour of the Soviet
Union in 1964 as part of the U. S.-Soviet Cultural
Exchange Program.
Mr. Rubinstein is scheduled to be in Washington on
March 6 which might offer a suitable occasion for
the award of the medal, if we can determine well
in advance of that time that he should receive one.
On the general subject of awarding this medal, I
understand that the proposed Executive Order to
- 2 -
establish an advisory committee to screen suggestions
is still being long delayed after many months. Also,
in that connection, there have been some proposals
pending to honor a group of Americans with the
Presidential Medal of Freedom in connection with the
celebration for our Bicentennial year and to do so on
or close to July 4. The thought was to select people
who have made the most distinctive contributions in
the arts, sciences and community endeavors at which
time we could include others.
In any event, I urge prompt concurrence in the
Rubinstein suggestion either by itself or in connec-
tion with a Bicentennial awards ceremony.
CC: Robin West
FORD is LIBRARY