Who is a taper? This is a representative of a profession that has lost its relevance with the advent of sound cinema. Taper, a summary of which is set forth in the article, is a fictional story. But it inspires hope that talent and zeal will never be ignored.
So who is a taper? And why did Alexander Kuprin call his small work exactly that?
Thankless work
Tappers in Russia were in great demand. To the question of who the taper is, every child from a noble family knew the answer. At holidays and various entertainment events, representatives of this profession provided musical accompaniment.
Requirements for tappers were low. They did not graduate from the conservatory. Knowledge of musical literacy sometimes left much to be desired. After all, tappers did not play at concerts of classical music. They just created the background.
Heroes of the story
The protagonists of the Taper work are members of the Rudnev family. Holidays are often held in their home. Moreover, the reason for the amusement may be the spontaneous desire of the head of the family. Rudnev are hospitable. The head of a respected family - Arkady Nikolayevich - is a gourmet, player and unsuccessful entrepreneur.
Once, when organizing the next family holiday, where many guests are expected, they forget to invite musicians. Arkady Nikolayevich sends for a taper. The maid, following the instructions of the owner, disappears for a good three hours. The youngest daughter, the restless Tina, is looking forward to the musician. After all, the evening is about to begin, but the taper is still gone.
Young musician
The surprise of the daughters of Rudnev is impossible to describe. The maid is finally returning, but it is not the experienced musician who accompanies her, but the boy in the gymnasium overcoat. The young taper's name is Yuri Azagarov. Can this lad provide musical accompaniment?
Nugget
When Yuri sits down at the piano and starts playing, the surprise of those present gives way to delight. Chopin’s passages, sounds of Beethoven’s sonatas, Liszt rhapsodies are heard in the Rudnev’s house. The game of the realist corresponds to the level of the most gifted student of the music conservatory. Arkady Nikolayevich realizes that in front of him is a real nugget.
Rubinstein
Suddenly, the owner of the house disappears somewhere. And an hour later he returns, accompanied by an important gentleman. Guest Rudnev carefully listens to the game of the gymnasium. Yuri is quite embarrassed by the attention of a man with an arrogant look. In addition, the stranger asks to play rhapsody again. Gradually, the expression on the important guest’s face softens, approval appears in his eyes. Yuri, meanwhile, plays as never before. His fingers gain exceptional obedience and flexibility.
The guest disappears again. And soon Arkady Nikolayevich approaches the musician, gives the envelope with the money and sends it to the front to dress. It turned out that the important gentleman before whom Azagarov was so timid was none other than the great composer Rubinstein. The fate of Yuri is predetermined. He enters the students to an outstanding musician.
Who is a taper? This is an unprofessional musician, amateur. A person who has only an indirect relation to real art. However, this word takes on a different shade after reading the story written by Alexander Kuprin. “Taper”, the content of which is briefly set out in the article, is the story of a talented musician who could earn his bread through the performance of shelves and quadrille until the last days of his life. But the participation of a good man changed his life.
At the end of the story, the author says that the gymnasium taper is now the world-famous pianist. But, perhaps, he will never forget about the evening in the Rudnev’s house and the meeting with Anton Grigorievich Rubinstein.