The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1875-11-18
UsEM ENT5.
Or. Won Buiow'. Second ceneert.

The second concert OF the present series
was given by DR.. Won Dulow last evening at
Steinway Hall before an audience more demon
strative In It's expressions Of pleasure even than
the one attending tue nrst concert.
There was reason for this- The programme Of
the 1rst concert was Of more classical chsrao-
tor that OF the present one, though 1t did not
contain a single work which was not Of hiRh ex-
cellence, was nevertheless of more popular kind.
II consisted OF Henselt's minor concerto for
plano and orchestra. four OF Chopins plano
forte works-a nocturne. chant polonaise, cradle
song and waltz, and Llszts fantasie Hungroise,
for pinno and oroh estra.
Tue centre Of interest was, OF course, the con-
certo. II Is the one large work Of It's composer.
Like single speech Hamilton" who IN ade one
splendid oratlon 10 the House OF Commons and
never took the floor again, so Henselt, after
writing a variety OF Lesser pieces, put his whole
powers into this concerto, and gave the planists
one of tho most difficult pieces OF work to do
that ever n composer set before an executant
But II repays the labor II requires for It Ia full
OF melody and written IN larye aud noble IN an
5eiier aavSntogs ,u n than IN The Reetboyen
concerto on Monday evening. Beethoven was
essen Tally an orchestral COMPOSER. In u he
lived and through II he felt and expressed him
self. When he composed for pianO and or
chestra he had the latter always and even prima-
rilY In mind.
Henselt was above all a pianist, aud when he
wrote his concerto he subordnated the or
chestrsl part To the piano, and made IL his aim
to give the vrtuoso awork in which bis skil
would be conspicuous.
Perhaps on account OF Its difficulties this con-
oertO has been little played hero. Gottsohalk
was the Hrst 10 intr duce II to the punlic at q
Philharmonic concert long AGO sa 1861 The
old PROGRAMMES OF that society also show To at
in 1853 William Mason played there the last two
movements. Since the0, Mr.. Pattison has tried
his hand at II from time to tlu,-. i gave fiLe
opportunity for the display OF Von Bulows
terly technique. aud IL was playeu so BRILL ntly
and effectively as to give tue greatest satisfac-
ton.
In the four selections from Chopin, which Won
Bulow prefaced 10y charming little prelude ~
that author not upon tho programme, making
really i've, the pianist showed how completely
he was penetrated by the spirit Of his art ami by
the sprit uf the composer. Every phrase gave
evidence OF the most clreful thought, and was
exquisitely flushed 4 ,ch Of the 0ve a
work of art ani gem. Nor was there any lack
Of warmth in his rendering Of these pieces.
IL Is easy 10 perceive that the tempera-
ment OF Won Bnlnw Is tnat OF neryousiy organ
tied, refined, delicate, aDd high-brod man
these were among the Charac tefistics Of Chopin.
In so far rs the two natures conceded, II would
seem natur | that Won Bulow would be found
atiue Interpreter Of tae works OF Chopin. IL
seemed .upussiolc that they should have been
played with greater tenderness, grace, accentua-
tiOu, and poetic zenstDility tnan tLey -sre on
this oc asiOo. 1hey certainlV revealed powers
il Won Bu NV that the programme ~ the Open
tng concert gave him no opportunity 20 display.
He ~ doubtless "A player who wi grow IN the
Uublc esteem Us he Is oitcncr head.