In 1990, in the Odessa News, A. Kuprin published his new work. “Taper” - a short summary of the story is proposed in the article - about the problem of real art and its creators. The action takes place in Moscow and dates back to 1885. At first glance, this is the usual story of a poor musician. The author’s task was broader - to show how chance can change a person’s destiny, and diligence, hard work and true talent become the beginning of a life aimed at serving people.
Preparing for the New Year
In the Rudnev’s house, Christmas trees were being prepared for the celebration. For the first time, twelve-year-old Tina took part in this, who was worried about the arrangement of the holiday. It was with her appearance that Kuprin began his work. Taper, she said, had not yet arrived, and the guests should already be moving in. The eldest of the sisters - they put on their outfits - was Lydia. She noted with displeasure that more noise and confusion in the house is due to Tina. All hope remained on Tatyana, who was distinguished by her kind and gentle character.
Rudnev House
Careless, hospitable and noisy - this is what characterizes the family of Arkady Nikolayevich in the story "Taper" Kuprin. Heroes, with the exception of the hostess, cordially welcomed friends and completely strangers at any time of the day. Someone always stayed with them for a long time. On holidays, they didn’t clean the table: one crowd of guests, mainly young people, was constantly replaced by another.
Arkady Nikolayevich more often disappeared in the English club, and when he returned with a good win, he arranged funny trips out of town. His wife, Irina Alexandrovna, a rich and noble princess by birth, did not approve of such entertainments, therefore she almost never left her room. Meanwhile, all her life she was jealous of her husband, which was understandable. Veselchak, a famous gourmet, player, art lover, and after fifty he looked handsome and had a reputation as a ladies man.
So depicts his heroes in the story Kuprin.
"Taper": a summary of the episode about preparing for the Christmas tree
Tina was not in vain worried. Arkady Nikolayevich liked to arrange everything in the best way. However, this time a misunderstanding occurred. Ryabov, who usually played with the Rudnevs, was sent late, and his orchestra was already occupied. The musician, who appreciated the respect of the family, hoped to find time, but could not. As a result, the head of the family ordered to find a good taper, which was also not done. While the servants were looking for the extreme, Tatyana Arkadyevna appeared, immediately taking everything into her own hands. She wrote out several addresses from the newspaper and sent the maid Dunyasha along them, notes Kuprin.
“Taper” - the brief summary of which you are reading - continues with a description of the first guests and the concern of the Rudnevs, especially Tina. Finally, Tatyana decided that, in extreme cases, she would play herself, alternating with Aunt Sonya, which caused an ironic remark from her older sister.
Little musician
At that moment it was reported that Dunyasha was waiting in the front. Tatyana, who came out to see her, saw a thin and pale boy with an ugly but expressive face next to the maid. Everything betrayed a shy and proud person in him, notes Kuprin. Taper said that he was already fourteen, and he would cope with the task, as he had repeatedly addressed the guests throughout the evening. When Lydia, with irony and disbelief, began to ask what kind of music he could play, mockery and anger flashed in the boy's eyes. Tatyana and Tina immediately tried to correct the situation and pulled the taper in the hall.
Great performance
Arkady Nikolayevich, who saw the musician, also doubted at first, but when he heard the Hungarian Rhapsody, he went up to him and gently asked if it would be difficult for him to play all evening.
The holiday was in full swing when Arkady Nikolayevich and a stranger entered the hall, whose whole appearance indicated that he was imperious, stubborn and knew how to easily conquer any audience. He listened to the play of the young musician with a bored look, and Rudnev whispered something in his ear. At some point, Yura felt that a stranger was standing next to him. Then he asked once again to play rhapsody. The first chords sounded uncertainly, but soon the taper completely surrendered to the music and already realized that he had never performed better. And the grim face of Anton Grigoryevich became brighter. When the rhapsody ended, the stranger was no longer in the hall, and Rudnev went up to the boy and handed him an envelope. To the objections of Yura, he said that now there was a great Rubinstein and became interested in his game.
Soon the little musician in a well-worn uniform became known throughout the country, but he never told anyone about what the great composer told him that winter evening - that’s A. Kuprin's “Taper”, a summary of which is given here.