, 1876-10-15
RIUSIC.
ATHOlfE.
MR. 11EBL1NG's RECITAL.

The only musical event Of local interest last
week was the concert at Standard Hall, Oh
Thursday evening, complimentary to Mr.. Emil
Liebling, the pianist, who has recently returned
from Europe. and resumed the labors Of his
profession in this city. 1t was on the 18th Of
June, 1874, that farewell concert was given
Mr.. Liebling at I1imball's piano rooms, upon
which occasion he played Jensen's "Wander-
bilder," Schumann's t'Kresleriana No. g"
Chopin's e Nocturne'' in G minor, and Men
delssohn's prelude and Fugue op. 35." We
cite these numbers as Of interest in the light Of
comparison with the superb selections made for
this occasion. After this concert he went to
Europe and, from time to time word came that he
was diligently employed in studying not alone
the piano but composition also, When it was
announced that he had returned aud would
reappear in concert, there was
natural curiosity to hear him again, which
resulted in his securing an audience largely made
up of musicians and musical amateurs, and,
therefore, unusually critical as well as compli-
mentary. Although great expectations had
been expressed with regard to his progress, We
doubt whether any one of those present was
not surprised and delighted with his mastery
PLAYING His programme was made up with cx-
cellent taste, its only fault being in its length
It included The familiar Beethoven Sonata op.
81. No. 2 which afforded good test OF his
abilities, because it is SO well known; two OF
Mendclssohn's "Songs without Words" the
First md Sixth-the latter so rarely played by
artists although familiar to all piansts; Kullaks
colossal "Octave Study" hve gems rom
Chopin, each in different setting, the Etude op,
10. No. 3, the exquisitely poetical Prelude IN y
Hat. the Waltz in D fiat. a Nocturne, and the
scherzo in sharp minor; Llszt's .sorse De
Wien'' and "Polonaisc Heroi9uc;' and his
part in the Mcndelssohn u minor 4,';:s tf1o
has never been given here before. 1t viii be
seen at once that such programme as this EN-
braces not only not single dull number, 4nt Is
peculiarly rich in the way OF contrasts. NOM
ing could be more unlike than Tue pa.paFI f ~
tre of the List numbers, the poetry OF tne
Chopin pieces, the sentiment OF the Mendels-
sohn songs, the perfection OF the sonata7 and
the technical finish Of the kullak Etuae; ~
was crownng test for any artist, anu Mr. Llcp-
ling bravely passed it and secured tue applause @
Of lis audience for each performance. We have
already criticised Mr.. Lieblings playing III con
siderable detail, after his private soree, ana II
only remains for us now to say that Als Euro-
pean study has perfected ilis technique, oroao-
finished ease and grace Of manner, aud given
him deeper insight into the sentl-
meut of compositions. He seems IN these
two years to have graduated rom
mere player to the position OF an artist, aha 1us
fair to take prominent place among the lev
really great players in this country. One secreI
Of his great success, aud q secret which "lli
make him very. popular, is the tact tnaL lot
alone has he q fine technique, clear and poWer1uA
touch, and musical intelligence to faithfully IN
terpret the notes on the line, but he "reads BE-
tween the lines,' and brings out the sentiment
OF his work with much warmth and feeling. we
shall watch lis future career with great interest,
as ne believe him to be possessed Of qualities
hiG ra1ufoffHn fNr 0nrnD0