The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1876-04-11
Won BULOw IN PORTLAND.
A Rare vi usicnl Entertainment.

| Some respects the most prominent prophet of
the modern school. Although chronologically
speaking, Mendelssohn, Chopin and List were
nearly contemporaneous, they represent very
different periods of musical theory. 1t was
wholly in character for DR.. Won Bulow to ar
range such programme, significant in itself,
not foran display of this or that individual
trait of his playing, but in which his magnif-
cent resources should be unreservedly devoted
to the best good of his art and of his audience.
All this was to be noted as we'll as exterior
impressions of the eager faces that waited the
appearance of the great pianist; the half hush,
half movement of expectation; and at last the
murmur that quickly became warm and unan-
imous expression of welcome as he came upon
the stage. His rapid, unaffected movement,
his clear, alert face, were full of concentration
and energy. His manner is quiet, refined and
entirely free from egotism, the expression of
his face is intense, and its strong lines denote
| thought and passion, under command of iron
will; and his tireless energy has the support of
| great reserve power as we'll as impulse His
| playing is entirely unexaggerated, and although
his technique is unsurpassed 1t is chiefly the
artist secondly the virtuoso. that is felt in lis
| tening to him. His manner is not at all man.
nerism it presents few salient points for spec
ial description, from its perfect equality and
balance. His playing is by turns majestic del
icate. pathetic, graceful.
No finer selection than the Chromatic Fan.
tasia, or one of greater musical interest, could
have been made from the compositions of Bach
whom Won Bulow, in his admirable notes up
on this very work, has called 'the great found
er of instrumental music" 1t is a composition
which the learned Forkel asserts to have no
parallel in the writings of Bach; and in which
DIR. Won Bulow sees "the entrance of the TO-
manticism of music" Here and there indeed.
for few measures one recalls the second move
ment of the Italian Concerts, but the likeness,
exists only by moments-the two compositions
are entirely unlike in their general character.
The fugue, united with the freer composition
of the fantasia-forms musical illustration of
wonderful beauty. In the close connection OF
this most imaginative of Bach's writings, with
the severe and clearly cut outlines of the fugue
which follow it, the worth and meaning, be.
yond the purely technical significance, of the
latter form of writing are striklngly apparent.
To many musicians, no vindication, so to say,
of the fugue is necessary; to those who have
been led to regard it as the formal apd curious
outgrowth of a musical pedantry, this fantasia
and fugue should prove much. The theme
which is treated with the perfection of ease and
symmetry of which Bach alone was entire master
is tender, expressive, and readily recognized.
Its chromatic character, its harmonies are allied
to those of the preceding fantasia. 1t seems
the perfected speech that succeeds the beautl-
full reverie 1t is the sculptured form that re-
cords the brilliant vision. 1t seems almost
prophetic voice of the old master, a word spok-
en- to solve the musical problems of our time.
DR.. Won Bulow's rendition of this grand work
was beyond praise. The theme of the fugue
was given with peculiar distinctness and
beauty. The Gavotte in D minor was taken
little faster than many artists have played it
for instance, Mr.. Theodore Ritter, who impart-
ed to it charming mixture of piquancy and
languor-but as DR.. Won Bulow played it, it
had an airy brightness, delicaey and sweet
ness that constantly won the listener more and
more to his Interpretation. The familiar sonata
in A fiat, was filled with the true spirit of the
composer; and the pitiless, tragic funeral
march, and the bitter, hard eagerness of the
IOuuO lOImcu d NiVlU uuSICdl SC6u6. Lie
Mendelssohn fugue, of course excellent in it.
self, suffered somewhat by its proximity to one
of Baeh's; but Dr. Won Bulow's treatment
of it was most admirable, as was also the spirit
and freshness with which he gave three Songs
without words. The selections from Chepin's
works showed shifting moods and varied
traits, all of which the great pianist interpreted
with perfection of truth and sympathy. The
Berceuse, in especial, was exquisite in its sway
ing, lulling melody. Nor was DR.. Won Bulow
less happy in the vivid Italian sketches of
Liszt-the deep flow of the Venetian canal, the
luminous darkness, the charm of night and
the sea which are the essence of the Condo
Hera; and the unrestrained hurrying measures
of the brilliant Tdrantella. The comparison of
Won Bulow with Rubinstein who has been
heard here so lately, seems almost inevitable.
They are two of the greatest of living pianists
they are friendly rivals, each of whom receives
reflected glory from every fresh triumph of the
other. Rubinstein is full of magnificent ca
price, superb passion and singular impassve
quality-almost loneliness of Individuality
whose voice is his unique playing. Won Bu-
low is fiery, keenly alive to every impression
that the composer has noted, and interprets
with faithfulness that is almost religion,
and breadth and depth of understanding, in
itself wonder. One can say, 81 have heard
Rubinstein. he played this or that but it was
he himself that L knew under his disguise of
concerto or fugue." With Won Bulow the case
is different. 1t is Bach pious and calm before
his clavichord, it is Chopin with subtle, vary
ng moods that we meet; and later we remem-
Der that it was also Won Bulow whose entire
absence of effort has made us forget for a little
the triumph he has achieved, whose desire it
was to be for a while forgotten in the compost
ton he played. In hearing Rubinstein one
hears the marvellous musician, in hearing Won
Bulow-music itself. The playing of Rubin
stein affords at times a more intense pleasure
that of Won Bulow is more wholly satisfying.
Miss Lizzie Cronyn has a round, sympathet-
ic voice and good style; and gives promise of
great excellence. She is evidently profiting by
the lessons that she receives in hearing DR..
Won Buow, and in having the advantage of his
accompaniments Her modest. refined and
pleasing presence, her earnestness and evident
intelligence will ensure her future progress and
success. Apparent timidity somewhat marred
the effect of the caVatina from the Freischutz,
but in the MeyeTbeer songs the goods qualities
of her singing were heard to much better ad-
vantage In reply to cordial encore, she
bowed her acknowledgment.
The house was we'll filled, and with an ap-
preciative audience, who testified their admira-
ton for DR.. Won Bulow by spontaneous and
significant plaudits, to which the artist accord
ed the reward of an additional norceau. 1t is
to be hoped that he may be induced again %
allow the Portland public to enjoy his playing;
and TO become acquainted by his means, with
the thoughts of the masters of music
PREBLE CHAPEL.-From the report of Mr..
Phelan we learn that the Preble Chapel Sun
day school has been very successful the past
year. The average attendance has been about
100 and there are now 100 children, divided in