The New York herald., 1876-11-16
AMUSEMENT
sTEINwAY HALL-MME. ANNETTE EssIPoFF's
SECOND CONCERT.

sTEISwAY HALL-MME. ANNETTE EssIPoFF's
SECOND CONCERT.
Despite the lowering skies that spread gloom
the metropolis yesterday tho hall OF Mcssrs Stcnway
was pretty well filed last night when, after the usual
Introductory overture by the orchestra, this
sion schubert's "Alfonso and Estrelia" Nine. Essi-
poh. the latest wonder in musical!
world madc her second appearance bc-
fore the American public. Tho daring OF the
lady in the two IN which she has been heard
In this city very remarkable Last night shc cssaycd
programme OF even larger dimensions than that
IN which she made her debut II was tho following
Grand concerto lin m,nor). Rubinstcn; prelude and
fugue with choralel Mepdelssohn; ggue Bach senate,
in Almajor scaratti barcoc etudc In f. vase chopin;
nocturnc Field; serenadc. schubcrt-Liszt; ctudc, d
nas. List; savottc, silas; poonase. wcber-Laszt
Tho concerto is one OF those works that glow with
all tho fire and crratc style OF the Russian composer
and makes larger demands on the pianist, orchestra
and conductor than any other piano work knsw OF.
Such was Rubinstein's own opinion, no has boon
always particularly careful about It's production oven
when ho was che pianist Mr.. Reinhard
Schmelz, tho director OF tho orchestra last night,
is, evidently careful painsaking leader and he kept
his men under severe discipline throughout tho
ccrio, at the same time infusing into their minds a
grcat doal of the spirit aud dash indispensable with
such q work. Nine. EssipoT made success second
only TO that achieved by tho composer. The FIRST
movement. Moderate, with its horn passages as a
prelude TO the piano. magn,lccnty played.
The bold, dccamatory phrases, with their long, cx-
tended chords that introduce the piano, given
with degree Of vgor and oarnestness that recalled
memories OF RubiEscin. Then those peculiar arpeg-
gio passages that flash upon the mind the phos-
phorcsccnt glcam on the wavo In tropical
cyclone sprang from tho ivory keys with a
light that seemed to como from some hidden artistic
source. rho second movement, moderate assai is
tho least interesting in tho concerto. There Is no
poetry In it. II is positive and dcclamltory. How
the corresponding movement in other great piano
works is veilcd in atmosphere OF idyllic bcsu,y
one can readily ascertain. II was au ungrateful
task for the pianist, but that she accomplished.
II was hard to descend from the paradise OF Chopin
dndanfe TO tho stern realism Of Rubinstcn. who with
tance to that artistic Garden OF Eden called poesy.
AT times he IS like the Peri the gate, with the sigh
OF the lover and the drop OF iifo blood OF tho
patriot But he attains tho desired tails.
man that Is requisite TO admit him TO the
charmed circle OF musical poets. TIE impctuous finale
passed tho keys with tho power OF a whirlwind
The first OF tho thrce preludes opus 35. book L. by
Ncndelssshn, with its pondcrous fuguo and massive
choral. seldom interpreted with apy degree
the best qualities OF Nine. Esspon's playing
In the three Chopin works the Interpretation may be
lkened 10 tho Iancul description OF another great
artists pnying-"It possessed all the qualities OF the
perfume OF tho garden, the murmur OF the brook. the
sigh uot tho summer zephyr" Tho rugged
nature OF Iiszt to be sofened down TO
Arcadian mildncss in his "Etude" IN ID fiat and the
fair pianist played 1t caressngly. In the martial
measures Of Carl Maria Won WeDcrs Polonaise in +,
spenddly arranged for piano and orchestra by Lszt
Madame Essipon brought very interesting con-
cert 10 close. IL was work In which Won
Madame EssipoG's Interpretation was preferable
In tho artistic commingIing o power and
expression There not always that ardent nre
Of tho virtu0so that makes tho poona binding
calcium IN the domain oi art The shades OF express
sion reelected themselves the broad mirror OF tho
bold phrases as If Caglos,ro waved his wand II.
The complete mastery over the piano which Nine.
Essipof has attaneo recalls the line OF Srenser--
Playing alone careless, on her heavenlie vIrsnas
Mons. Alfred yivicn played the violin a concerto
by his teacher. Leonard and polonaise by Wenlaw-
SKI. He made success in both By the perfection OF
his technique and tho clegancn OF his style OF playing
On Friday Nine. Ess,pon plays thrco concertos by
Beethoven, Hensct aud Mendclssohn.