The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1856-11-13
THALBERG's FIRST APPEARANCE IN THE UNITED
STATES


However much we may differ with the New York Cou-
rer and Enquirer political questions have always
had lively appreciation Of the good taste and excellent
Judgment displayed by that paper in most Of Its elaborate
criticisms musical matters The following notice from
the Courier Of Thabeg first appearance in the United
States should satisfy the skeptical that
member Of the quinups alliance appears to advan-
tage in the coneert-room than the political
HNiblois Saloon filed to its utmost capacity last
evening the occasion Of Mr. Thalberg frat in
America by Of the most elegant audiences
bled in New York The concert was quite model in its
arrangement There just enough OF i-a merit
the not too msch appearing be the most difficult lesson
for caterers for public amusement 10 learn Sam Weller
made has love letter short that the lady would wish
there IT. vich be continued lie the secret
o. leter-wrtn3 and so IL Is Of eoncergving Piano
csrt especially should be short because they lack the
ety given by orchestral and other performances and for
this reason and from the nature OF the instrument they
should be given IN small room and TO small
dience will make il worth the artists while give 1em
all In every respect then Mr. Thabergs first appear
ance unexcepuonable He came before the American
public without humbug Of any kind relying solely upon
his established position artist Of tie highest rank
and merely saying Il have come 10 you hear IL voc
will His success-we mean, Of course his American sue
and with bis great fAmewas
established beyond doubt the end Of the FIRST part Of
the concert he frsn his instrument confessed by
every bearer the master Of all the masters who had pre-
coded him
may to imply some deficiency, some lack Of
force character both that be did produce this
impression by bis first piece bat the conclusion is not
warranted Musicians saw It but the general audience
did not feel IL and for this Mr. Thabergs music
has been long known both In the paror and the
cert he indeed, has furnished with the better
well As the larger part Of pianoorte entertainment
for seEeTa past and we have heard his music very
well played. Aud happened last evening tina; when
he began 10 play the first impression that had
beard all this before and heard 1t very much 70 salts
faction but after awhile the dulest began 10 per-
ceEe that In addition 10 something that IL had heard
there something that il had heard before and
this went on increasing until finally the new revelation
eciPsed the old and familiar knowledge, and Mr. Thai
berg listened to as he beginning The revolution
in ptanoore playing which he triumphanuy completed
in Europe several years ago for Mr. Thalberg young
be ia the father Of the present school OF piano
forte playing. To bis true perception, brilliant fancy,
and daring hand owe all the modern wonders Of the
key board by which the pianoorte becomes rather 40
ASseblage Of homogeneous instruments than instru-
To him the creation Of the countless nei-
u forms Of composition for the pianoore which &C
commodae that instrument 70 the needs Of the errae
well as the soberest and most formal mind he first
broke in upon the old style Of panoorts writing and
playing BY bis fantasia the prayer from kosss IN E
composition the splendor Ere and grandeur which
cannot be entirely ecipsed by dull and heavy
player and which 10 utterly unlike any planoorts usc
that preceded H. Mr. Thabergs compositions generally
consist Of what might be called variations upon an air
variations Of air they certainly not for his literal
ithuness TO the simplest theme that may take as his
subject less remarkable than the crowd Of brilliant
fantastic musical thoughts with which be adorns and
illustrates II. fos bear bis theme constantly! goes L
steadily and nexorably on its bold steady march dis
hncy audible amid the musical umult OF arpeQgns scale
passages Ociave and fancfui outbursts and eAkR on
sound which bis magic raises around IL This was par
tcuarly remarkable last evening In the fantasia upon
themes from la Sonnarbula and 10 the grand variations
on the air from LEtisr dAraorsr
As 10 Mr.. Thalbergs playing omit m entirely su-
peruous not impairment all praises Of s mechanical
er and 20 not into particulars into raptures about
Bis wrist strong and flexible his touch AZ once
firm and delicate crisp and easy his thumbs all singers in
stead Of his fingers all thumbs and bis fingers all first and
second his having two right hands instead Of right
and one left he Is beyond all this sort Of communication
IL became necessary for others 70 attain these things be
cause be had them and discovered how them they
-er. not much needed before Of them ALI HIS
execution seems absolutely perfect and bis style remark
able for every excellence Is chiefly for its brance it's
elegance and Its precision. His accuracy marvellous 70
the verge Of the miraculous and do not wonder Al the
story told that Of those usedup Engshen who travel
about IN search Of sensation having followed him in vain
for three years in the hope Of hearing false note blew ont
his brains n despair OF this characteristic gave Eps
Did example last evening in the Ende with repeated notes
He played this like machine with souL There Is moth
ing 70 be said after such performance that especially
BIZ musicians mute admiration and wonder are the tribute
which Il exactz except outhurss Of applause but
there IL really very little 10 be said about absolute perec
ton We have space for further remark however AZ
this time and only add that Mr. Thalberus success
with his suaieuceone Of the cultivated ever assem-
blei In this citywas complete triumphant he was recall.
I'd voerousy after each Performance bgt complied with
The demand for encore but oncaV
xu...~. ..I.cr.x,hio despatrh from New i