New-York tribune., 1873-05-23
MUSIC.
RrnNsrEN,s FAREwELL.

RUBINsTEISS FAREWELL.
The seventh OF Mr.. Rubinstein's pano-fOrte
recitals gwen last night at steinSay Hail. closed the
most ronarkaDe series Of concerts, and indeed one OF
most remarkable musical tours, ever undertaken IN
the United States. I5 completed the history OF piano
forte music which this extraordinary genius has been
Illustrating unaided two cities simultaneously, for
during tine intervals OF the in NewYOrk he has
played an abriIgHent Oi the programmes in
Boston. huTryiug back and forth from one place
the other without res but never DcaynS the slight
est sign OF WEAKNESS. That he has greatly advanced
The musical education Of the two cities by these COM
prehensye recitls hardly admits Of doubt. The last
evening was devoted his own compositions. They
may be supposed to represent, in his theory, an ad
vance the modern school OF Lszt. who occupied
OF Tuesdays programme and 1t Is interesting 10
notice that the advance is not in the d.
rection which Liszt seemed to have pointed
out il guided rather by the principles Of the older
masters, whom the German theorists are trying to
supersede. The freedom aud elegance OF Rubinsten's
style as a composer already familiar TO us through
many Of his shorter pieces, such the favOre Roman
zas IN + major and a fat major which found place
among nights selections. The same characteristics
are disceTniDie 10 greater OF less de-
gree in all his writings for the piano
A spontaneous 10w OF melody-nOt always long sus-
tanned, bat always easy ana refned-and an originality
Of expression which is free from any strainng after
than either fertility OF ideas richness Of cooring
Grandeur Of thought seldom find here; although the
composition often leads TO those Jempests Of bar-
mony in which Rubinsten 80 far surpasses
all other masters have yet heard. The
long Theme and Variations" which he played last
night the happest selection OF the evening but
It was an exceent specimen Of the spirit OF his piano
forte music giving, speak, the keynote Of all the
rest The theme was simple, symmetrical and broad;
tbe variations ran for full haIhour like the elegant
musings OF imprOyiser, wandering through an
astonishing succession Of fanciful forms, but
tending toward nothing in particular until tine pianist
picked up the theme again, REINFORCED H. ana started
aresh on heacOng progress 70 one OF his tremendous
cmaxes OF the shorter and most elegant pieces, be-
sides the two Romanzas we specify particularly
Melody In major, Barcarole in G. major,
new meodie imprOmDtH, and Deauu-
ful nocturne. There was every variety OF
short composition There Suite, comprising sar-
abande Passepied, COurante and admirable GayOtte
There was a Prelude with Fugue. The programme con-
sisted OF about thirty numbers, but Mr.. Rubinsteln
omitted several OF them, and about half-past
10 O'Clock plunged into long series OF forcible
aud If the truth must DO told - rather
uuintercsting variations on d" Yankee Doodle" with
which hs had chosen 20 bid farewell to America Prooa-
bly, ne did well 70 shorten the entertainment for the
room was very hor the ventilation was very bad ana
the immense concourse OF people beginning to show
iN-s
asphyxia for longer than two hours and half at
time When he had finished the whole house rose and
eheered-not for Yankee Doodle,-they did not seem
10 care for thabut for the musician who Is about
10 leave US. He was recalled again and again, ana
bowed his acknowledgements with much more evidence
OF emotion than he usually allows himself.
It satisfactory 10 know that the engagement OF Mr.
Rnbustein in this country has been profitable TO all
persons concerned in and ought TO be grateful for
the wonders all which he has revealed TO US espe-
cially during the last months OF his stay still
we cannot feel that the proper use has been
made OF a visit which may never be repeated We
have hardly had glimpse OF his real greatness as
composer. As an executant he has dazzled and de-
lighted and moved creator ne is not TO be judged
by such productions he put forth last night HIS
heart Is not those but in the works OF much higher
class for the orchestra the voice. with which he pre-
fers 10 trust his 10 pOstery The grandeur OF the
man blazed out when conducted his ocean
symphony U.s. and it is great pity that he has not
had an opportunity produce other compositions Of the
same elevated character. We understand that Mr.
Runsteiu declares that he will not return 70 America
We dare say he will change his mind he has thousands
OF ardent and appreciatve admirers in all our CHIEF
cities and the progress musical culture is amazingly
rapid all over tho Uuion.