New-York tribune., 1876-11-25
MUSIC-THE DRAMA-ART.
THE EssIPoFF CONCERTS.

As Nine. Essipoff7s concerts go on, the of1ce
~ critic more and more Of a Indeed
there seems TO be almost nothing to critlese one can
only attempt TO catalogue her manifold merits iet thS
Of itself easy task so many and diverse are 'hey
There is the cOnsummate Of her playing-eaoh
finger seeming just to drop on its proper
note without any effort at all her part Ihen thefe
Is that wonderful touch which makes the piano take on
so many new voices that is tempted to LOOK up IN
surprise every little while to whether the lusuueh'
has not been changed gain 1t Is the extraordinary
accuracy Of her work. with false note nor blur
all through the intricate and difficult passages
Aeain II ia the wonderful contrasts in force
that strikes one, sometimes power tDat
does not seem TO belong in the least 10 sucn
frame, I'm the next moment faryiko deicacy tnat Is
almost unparalleled when the sounds seem to come rip
png out the piano. like tiny wavelets breaking on
pebbly beach. But these only mere mechanical ex-
ceences The earnest feeling the deep Sentiment the
fiery passion the clear intellectual grasp of her subjects
which she exhibits these very different matter,
and OF far greater value Yet 1t is just OF these that it Is
impossible to convey any clear idea. She must be heard
and more than once, be appreciated or understood
At the concert last night Nine. Essp0f played Schu-
mann's "scenes Mignonnes" (Op 81, Fields Nocturne,
an Intermezzo by Won Biow, Chopin's "Chant Polo
naise" and Tausig's arrangement OF Schu0erts Alex
ander March," The sehumann piece s series OF charm
ngtte tone sketches admirably contrasted ID eharactc
now grave, now gay, now playful, now sentimental
always changing like the forms in kaleidoscope or the
panorama of q crowded street, and unfaihngY pretty
and attractive Nine. EsspoR did not play the whole SET
but she made much Of those that she did play that
one could NOT find fault with her this account Every
shade OF expression every popularity OF character
every delicate color of feeling brought ont with the
utmost fidelity and perception Of the meaning OF
each number. The Field NOcturne which she has
played before was simply delicious, and formed charm
ing contrast with the bizarre little ntermezzo by Won
Bulow. response to series OF enthusiastic recalls
Mme EssipoR kindly played one Of schuberes Mo-
ments Muscaes," and very charmlngly she played It,
too
The Chant Polonase, Of the loveliest or Chopns
creations she played she always plays Chopms mustc
with exquisite sentiment and expression and wonderful
poetry. The Schubert March is superby strong, mar
tal composition, and her playing Of 1t was capital ex-
ample playing powerfully without noise one OF the
most difficult things for pianist to acquire Amateur
piani5t here ought 30 and hear Nine Esspoh forn0
reasOn because they would learn something OF the
method OF producing effects OF which they never even
dreamed aud which would immeasurably improve their
playing II Is worth any amount Of lessons to hear such
player even once. -
Mrs. Oliver sang ballads by Benedict and Alfred H.
Pease pretty much she sang Wednesday evening.
NJ Vivicn repeated the Leonard Concerto, and played
Wenaw krs Caprice FaBtastique." He was excellent
In both uumb8Fs.