New-York tribune., 1872-09-24
MUSIC AND THE DRAMA.
MlJSIC.
RURTNsTFIN-W WSKI,

NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS..
The series of concerts opened by Mr.. Grau
last night at steinwsy Han promises TO be Of tho
most remarkable given in America. About Herr
Rubnsein at any rate, there be two Intelligent
OpiDOnI The verdict of New York. perhaps was not
exactly necessary to stamp him one OF tho
two most extraordinary plansts OF the age; but
the verdict has been pronounced. and that with
all possible earnestness and unanimy. Nothing Ike
his playing has ever been heard In America nothing
like It probably will be heard here by the present gen
Grafton unless we should time have a visit frou
Lszt The programme last night excessively long.
and was somewhat curtaed in the performance new
ertheless the enthusiasm steadily increased until
tho end, and the evening closed with shouts Of
triumph. Herr RubiDstein introduced himself with
his minor concerto. which, If not mistaken. has
been played in this city by Miss Krebs. The first move
gave fair but not adequate idea Of his brilliant
execution the second with It's beautiful andante was
a gem OF cantabile playing; but In the closing
prestisslmo the full glory OF his tremendous
force and the magnetism Of his touch burst
forth upon the astonshed audience In
his subsequent selections seemed to grow better aud
better Handels AIR and variations in ID minor never
could have had such Interpretation before even rom
the old composer himself. Mozarts Rondo In minor
was exquisite The famous March from "The Ruins oil
Athens" resounded through the hall with tho
splendor, ono would have thought, of q full
the most brilliant, forcibe, and sympathetc handling.
1t would be mistake TO suppose, however, that force s
the predominant Characteristic OF Rubinstens playing
He has the strength Of giant but 1t Is united with tho
decacy OF poet. No else completely gsther
up the full resources OF the piano. and pour
them fourth in torrent OF grand and
sonorous harmonles no ono else has 80
thoroughly mastered the difficulties OF the most In
trcate and rapid execution one elso is so brilliant
so fiery, incredibly enduring; yet, on the other
hand no one teach the piano to sing such soi
and tender strains or touch the keys gently with
finger OF velvet. The soft passages OF MS
music are quite as wonderful the moro
snowy; the beautiful refinement OF his expression
is beyond all praise and opportunity for display ever
tempts him to forget it, 1t would be impossible TO I'M
agne Rubinsten gorfying himself with piano pyrotech
nics for he is not only genuine reyerental artist Dus
he is something more has the true fire of genius and
he is the only pianist heard in America OF whom
that could be said In appearance he Is some.
what rude and strange in he is courteous yet
abrupt His stern Tartar face never lights with SMILE
He puts away the humbug Of flowers and wreaths with
a calm, undemonstrative disregard and sets himself
TO his work like a whose whole heart is In
his music and to whom applause Is hO1hlne'
In Mr. Wieniawsh he has a worthy companion This
iaustrious artist surpasses all our previous experience
OF vionlsts; we will not say as much as RuDnsteih
surpasses other pansts but far enough to leave Veux
style is formed more nearly upon the romantic
school Of Paganini than OF any other model YET
combines with the peculiar faseinaons OF tat schooi
beautiful classical polish and correctness He, too, Is
an artist who reyerences art and knows how to forget
the display OF his own powers What could have been
more conscientious than his playing Oh the
Mendelssohn concerto in minorf IL was
given as MendelssOhn himself would have SAID
# ought to be played His perfection,-clear
sonorous rch true and absolutely free from the occa
sonal rasping which disfgures nearly all violin playing
His technique is phenomenal and lastly he is sympa
thetic. Here we have all tho requisites OF
good player; to which wo may add that
Mr.. WIeniawski's compositions are also ex-
cellent He played last night, in addition 10 the GEN.
certo two pieces OF his own, "Legende" and an ar
rangement with variations Of well-known Russian
popular air which Thalberg transcribed for the plano.
They both orchestral accompaniment OF notable
richness and originality.
The two yocalists who accompany tho troupe are
artists OF very different class. Mile Lebhart exces In
certain kind Of ballad Of which Comm through tho
Rye" is an example, where dramatic action Is intended
to supplement the voice. She successful In that.
and also in ballad about little bIrd with flute Obbligao
by Mr Rietzel, wherein she called her solemn accom-
PIANIST in goldrmmed glasses birdie" dnd "sweet,"
and various other things Of that Sort and out her
bill at him; but in the "Softly sighs'' from "Dcr
Freschtz ssho betrayed the possession OF wellwOrn
and not very luscious voice. Mile. Ormeny, the con-
tralto has strong and moderately tunefu organ. not
remarkable for culture. and destitute Of sensbllity.
The orchestra, led by Mr.. Bergmann, was excellent