The Wordy Pianist

The renowned pianist Arthur Rubinstein (1887–1982), often hailed as one of the greatest musicians of all time, loved to share this humorous story about himself. Known for his gift of conversation—he spoke eight languages—Rubinstein once found himself battling a persistent case of hoarseness.

At the time, newspapers were filled with warnings about the dangers of smoking and its link to cancer. Concerned, he decided to visit a throat specialist. After a thorough examination, he anxiously searched the doctor’s face for any…