The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-11-15
An USEM ENTs.
The Firs, Concer, of Nine. Annette E-.ipon

The First Concert of Nine. Annette Essipon
Those who attended the concert given
last evening Il steiuway Hall by Nine. Annette
Essipon witnessed the debut Of one Of the most
talented aud charming pianists who have ever
been heard In this country.
The lady IS Russi IN, and was the pupil. and
is now the wife Of professor at the Russian
Cons ervatory, though she retains the name I'M
der which she made her European reputation
This reputation Is second to that OF no lady
pianist In Europe, and indeed challenges COM
parison with the fame OF even the most re-
nowued o. the other sex. Ii IL always difllcuIt
and usually ungracious to institute direct COM
parison between artists. And yet the question
constantly asked. and which every one inter.
estcd In the matter desires nrst Of all 10 have
answered, u how present artist differs with
some well known preceding one. IL Is the
simplest and easiest popular test. without for
getfulness OF the great merits OF such distin-
eushed PLAYERS a. Aide Topp, Anna Mehlig
and VI RE kteos, IL may certainly he SAID that
Madame E-sipun Is the superior Of teen all.
In personal appearance she Is exceedingly
preposse-sing. Not. indeed, one OF those grace
ful, slender. ethereal, nervous beings u the
American type, bat substantial, strong.
not graceful, straightforward. honest. aud
dOwnrght, ~ hubinstein was, aud without a
particle Of al citation.
server Is her complete repose Of manner. she
sits firm ana straight at the piano, and neither
bends over II nor sways her body even In the
most uitncult running oct.Ne passage-, the
shoulders scarcely seeming to move. These are
u kens OF power, and certainly the LADY has
mfnlY strength. Her self pOise ana stcadiness
ere something very admirable, and INSPIRE tue
he rer with cuundence such as doubtless the
LADY has H. herself. With tins strong aud we'll
knit frame Nine. Es-ipoh has AN exceedingly
winning &C., the prohe being particularly
beautiful, and the general effect being that II
n 4 mn al
mir bic sef-commaud. There are some pian-
lists who give always the impression OF having
attained their sklll IN art 10y the hardest OF bat
ties, and what they do gives sense OF effort
ana OF difficulties. overcome to he sure. but
overcome with labor. Madame Es -ipon's ease
OF manner and grace OF movement are sucn that
1t Is evident her art bad come 10 her almost by
nature and without struggle, and doubtless
she has IN her that happy combination Of fac
ulties that makes art easy to their possessor,
and finds for her the "royal road"
To turn from her personal characteristics to
those that she displays ~ a performer We ind
III high degree those qualities that distinguish
all the gre a Lianists. Her tecniuuue or IN tery
Of ali the mechanical difficulties II the instru-
ment is complete. her touch large, dis met. Wig
orpus' aud almost IN tnly her accent tn winch
lies the secret OF all fine playing marked by the
keenest appreciation II the composers mean
ins, and Just the right Infection TO express that
meaning clearly and perfectly. In this, aud IN
her rhraslng, the Intelligence of the plaver Is
shown, Just as accent and phrasing mark the
Iu all that Nine. Essipon does there IL also a
healthy, bright feeiing-not a trace anywhere OF
stH-conscluusness, hnectatlOn or mOrbuness.
From this II happens mat her playing OF bright
aud Joyous pieces Is the best, such as the Mozart
Minuette. ausgs arrangement OF the BAG q
Tocchto and the nnal movement OF the Ono pin
concerts, and couVers-y IL Is true that her play
ing OF music written IN a sad, tortured, or NOR
bid vein, and foreign Their (, re to her tenlpera-
ment Is deficient In sentiment.
The larghettp movemen, tine Romance'O OF
the CHOPIN concerto was AN example OF this,
and whatever sadness or tenderness there MAJ
have been In that composers mind when ne
made II, found no place Ia Madame Essipon's
INTERPRETATION, which WIS bright aud clear as
the sunlight.
The orchestra was admirably led by Mr.. Rein
hard Schmeik. ami NJ. Alfred NiVI,r. a yoiiui,t
OF great merit, WIKI large and brilliant tone
and wonderful execution, PLAYED a corc erto by
Pagannini and "a fantasia by Nieuxtemp-, an Il
added much to the Interest OF the concert.
hatever may be the pecuniary result Of Mad
anne Essipon 3 visit TO TINS country in tue pres
ent season Of political exciten mt and cominer-
cial depression. there can be no two questions
that from the artistic point OF view II will be a
memorable one, and be attended with pleasure
10 all who are 50 fortunate as To hear her