Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1858-1860, 1858-05-14
From the Richmond DjsPOtch.
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS..


The Tbalbrrg and Vieuxtcmps Concert of
Friday night was one of the most brilliant
that ever took place in this city. The audi
ence was full and fashionable, and the instru-
mental part of ihe Concert, for its originality,
richness and beauty, exceeded that of any
previous performance before Il Richmond au-
dfeBce.
Thalberg, the great pianist-we suppose he
cannot he called king, as Liz divides with
him the honors of popular favor in the music
loving world-was received with energetic
and long continued applause, which he ac-
knowlcdged in very dgniiied and low bows.
He has often been described, aud generally with
correctness. very quiet looking gentle
man, he would never strike man one like
ly to he master of music. He has an air of
sOlidity and deliberatveness that would indi-
cate a turn for more tangible, slowmoving
and steady vocation. He enters with an un-
assuming, unanimated. formal and genteel
manner, and Il measured 1T p, and makes his
salaam with slow and stiff bow, yet entirely
respectful. Seating himself at the piano, ne
looks over the keys aud after a rapid rubbing
of his hands together, strikes the instrument
very earnestly, but certainly no appearance
of excitement that could be called enthusiasm.
Yet the instrument speaks for the great mas
ter, and soon asserts, with an emphasis that
scatters adl doubt, that its tones are governed
by great gCuius: player who creates, who
presents new i'll as and new eliccts-and such
effects us enchans the attention and fills the
soul of the auditor with admiration and de-
light. Such is Thalberg. and such the effect
wrought by his exquisite performances. He
was encorrd with great vchcmence 10y the
audience. He first acknowledged the compli-
ment by coming forward, lowing and retiring
without touching his piano; but this did not
answer; the audience redOubled their appeals
with hands, heels and sticks, until he had to
give in, and sweep the keys again, before the
spirit he had aroused would he comfortod.
Thalberg's style is remarkable for its dis
tincn well as its richness and beauty. His
theme is presented all the time clearly and de-
licOusly to the ear. Amidst the deluge of
ravishing notes which he heaps up around it,
Aim stands like the cap-sheaf of the stack, the
growing stone of the pyram d. visible and pre-
dominant His Last Rose of Summer" 10
which he treated the audience at All encore.
may be especially cited an illustration of
this idea. We never heard upon the piano a
swecter performance, while il was remarkable
for its ingenious and novel arrangement.
Equally warm and flattering with the re-
ception of Thalbcrg, was that given to Vieux-
temps, who we venture to call KING OF the
violin. ltwas his second appearance i'll Rich
mond his first, however, was so long ago
that few of our audience of to-day had seen
him before. His face is rather German, but
it is radiant with French animation aud hui
NOR. His performance enjoys the double adj
vantage that it is dramatic as well as mechan-
ical; for he is an actor, and expresses the soul
of his music both on his instrument aud in
his looks and gesture. This is especially true !
of his Carnival of Venice. which he acted adj |
mirably. 1t is not Indispensable To acting /
that one must have free scope and movement /
to stride and saw the air. One may sit still I
and express the strongest emotions. Mrs. |
l. 1.tli
her readings, sitting by table, in which she
expresses the passions of The play. Nieux-
temps a wit, humOrist and poet. Most |
does his violin communicate his
w.t. his hnmor and his tine fancy. The cum
ming of his fingers and his bow impart the
bright conceptions OF his mind with wonderful |
and exquisite accuracy.
He was rapturously encored in both his
pieces, and in response played the Carnival
and -St Patrick Day In the morning" Both
were received with enthusiasm. Tue latter
was peTfecI gem. The soul-stirring Irish
air seemed TO excite much the heels as the
heads of some of the auditars and there was
beating of time with il, which
The violinist shook on by an lad libltum."
This accompaniment, while altogether impul-
sIve, was very annoying, both to the per-
former aud the audience and those who vol
we are sure, were too well-bred 10
subject others to such an annoyance, upon the
slightest reflection.
Vieuxtemps is genial ftllow-fnll OF en-
thusiasm and humor, evidently. He PLAYS
With passion, and nc kindles fly his animated
expression the hire OF sympathy ia the hearts
If his auditors. Most heartily did they heap
heir plaudits upon him; Tor which he eyinced
he slncerest gratitude. He Is, we believe,
he greatest among the violinists who have
listed America-lot excepting Sivori, 10
ShOm We are very partial.