New-York tribune., 1876-03-25
MUSIC.
OP Won BTLOW.

Dr. Won Biilow's recital last night was the
last and greatest OF Beethoven SERIES and by lar the
most remarkable concert he has given in America The
following were the selections
l. Sonata, Op 101, in A.
. Sonata, Op. 81, No. 3. in fiat
3. Grand Sonata, Op. 100, Ill Is nat. ,,, .oo
A. Thirty three variations on waltz OF Dabell,Op 10
The second of these pieces Op 81 not on the pro
cranne but was added by the pianist out of abundant
generosity 1t is one which DR.. Bilow always plays
with particular tenderness and sympathy and in the de-
livery OF the exquisite Menueto last night lie seemed TO
.urpass himself Doubtless TO many OF the audience the
Introduction OF this comparatively simple Sonata was "a
relief The rest of the programme consisting Of works OF
BcethOvens period hard ~ understand and departing
widely from the accept forms, certainly offered a
strong contrast it, The Sonata brises with tech
pca difficulties not the least conspicuous of which is
the eccentric and constantly changing rhythm Except
In the first movement. there is hardly cantabe pas
sage; and yet Dr. Bhow made it both clear and elo-
uuent The feature Of the concert, however-nay the
feature Of the whole series of eoncerswa the stupen
dous Opus log Hero Beethoven has given his
poetic impulse loose rein, and produced work which,
for majesty thought and freedom expression ranks
almost in the category with the Ninth symphony
II follows standard form of the Sonata 80 Tar as ts
that 1t has four principal movements, an Allegro
seherzo an Adagio and quick Finale, but they all are
free In structure; the threepart iugue when forms
the principal portion of the last movement (and what
an amazing fugue II Isl is marked by the
composer con cenze." The work is about three
times the length of ordinary Beethoven Sonata anu
Keeps every faculty of the pianist strained 70 the utmost
from the first the last testing alike the intellect
the sensbiltlcs the memory, the nervous system ana
the physical powers Dr. Bulow's performance was
such triumph that we hardly know where to begin
to praise it. Probably the parts most appre-
eated by the general public his rendering of the
great Adaeio appasionato and his grand delivery OF The
Fugue connoisseurs perhaps, while equally enthusiastic
IN praise OF two things struck by tho force
symmetIy and completeness Of his Interpretation OF the
work in its entirety. The Variations the Dlabeli
Waltz are no childs play, but Dr.. Won Bulow went
through them with much strength and fire as II he had
been rcposing all the evening
The audience, regret TO cav, was not large; 10
deed the better the concerts the smaller to be-
come the attendance Nor, TO tell the truth, were ma
jority OF those present apparently able to under
stand the feast spread before them. DIR. Won Bu-
low has his circle Of steady admirers and dis
eples and il must be a great satisfaction TO
play for them but after all tie taste OF
the great public in NcwYork is yet somewhat crude.
There will be q Beethoven matinee to-day. and next
week will he devoted Chopin Monday), Schumann and
Mendelssohn "wednesday. and Schubert and List
friday. The Chopin programme includes the grand
concert Allegro Op A6 the Sonata in minor, No B. two
Eocturnes the Berceuso. Poonaise, Ballade, three
Watzes several Mazurkas, the Impromp;u in sharp
the scherzo sharp minor, &c.