The New York herald., 1876-12-09
ANUS EN- EN- rs.
srErNwAY uALL-xnE Essrporr.

sTEINwAY HALL-MME ESsIPOFF
Mme Essipon appeared for tho fourteenth time at
Stcnway Hall last night, and the matinee to-day VIII
bring close OF the most notable and successful
seasons over accomplished by one musical artist In
this city, Tho most prominent feature OF the cvontng
the second piano concerto In minor, opus ~, BY
saint-sacns II is OF those works that must re-
main as u sealed book TO most pianists, for
its technical difficulties alone, like those or
tho Hensclt concerto, sufficient TO daunt
aught but fleet fingers trained in all the intricaces
OF the modern schools. The opening movement,
Anddnte Sostenut0, commences with bold, cadenza-
like passage for the piano aone the ponderous chords
tho bass just before the entrance tho orchestra
being struck with such power by the pianist that the
effect was like that Of tho pedals Of church organ.
After a phrase two from tho orchestra the piano
gives out the frst theme, which Is OF decIamatcry
kind IL becomes more impassioned as tho move
ment proceeds, the descending passages Of double
octaves being answered by short phrases from
the wind instruments Tho theme appears again
IN different form and then on the prolonged chords
OF the wind and brass Instruments 10 built fantastic
passages Tor tho piano. sxshs, thirds ocavcs &C. re-
quiring the utmost ightness OF touch and yet that
mobility OF expression necessary to give them their
due meaning rush Of octaves on the piano and the
rst themc appears ong the viOns, TO be returned
to its original instrument, with running arpoggo
bass, until cadenza much in tho form OF rccitativcs
is reached The opening parase 10 tnen repeated,
Instruments unison and the first movcment
comes 10 end. Tho second movement allegro
scherxando commences alter four bars tor tympani,
with u sparkling theme for the piano. ike the twtter-
ing of birds woodland scene II repeated BY the
strings and around It beautiful arabesquos
by the piano. The wind Instruments next take Il up
and present it in lragmentary shape seemingly calling
each other amid shs larry murmurs o. the v.o!ins
singular, but very effective accompaniment Of chorded
trpiets samc instrument, the iagotti csn and
bars by the piano. The passages for tho latter
bccome moro brilliant the movement Draws to
Sose 5. epdowel ano .us WITH eecrcy tho passages
flashed forth beneath her touch. The last movement
presto, Is tarantea-hke IN FORM except in ono part
piano trllod and produces quaint effect with the
prolonged chords OF Tho orchestra The J6nae swept
over the keyboard like whirwind, as tho pianist
appeared to be imbuod with the fiery spirit vi tho
work and Inspired TO unusual dcgrce The applause
that followed the performance Of tho concerto
dcafening. In the second part Nine. EssipoG played
the two last movements, Romance and Rondo OF
chopn's concerto in minor, the same work II, 10
night even more impressive than on she prcviors
occasion Filigreo work or the Moorish arsbcsquc
than the fantastic Embellishments OF the rondo,
which remind one Of .sivery lacc woven BY elves
by Schubert. arranged BY Tausg, followed, and was
another delightful feature OF the concert The
charm Of the composers style was instantly iet and
the pianist entered comprehendingy into the Utmost
OF the tone poem Schubert was succeeded BY
Liszt, and the contrast was as strongly mnrkod As
could be imagined. Nothing could be wildcr or more
impish than the ''Gnomcnreigcn, In which tho spirits
converse In q language entirely consonant with their
nature For encore Nine. Essipou played the
charming composition Of her husband, '.Lcs Deux
Alouttes" which has been made popular by her. NJ.
vlvien the volinisi, played OF vcuxemps' WORKS,
and madc moro decided success than at any previous
concert Mile AEnesc Palma, contrato, sang III tuo
saneuc a me rescasti," by Mercadante. and 'Au
Printemps," by Gounod. Mr. Theodore Thomas and
his unrivaled orchestra played selections from the
works or Beethoven and Wagner.
ACADEMY OF NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. REHEARSAL.
The Philharmonic Society had their last public re-
hearsal tho second the Academy Of Music
yesterday afternoon. Tho following the pro-
gramme SYMPHONY, No. ., in c, oR 6l, r. Sehu
mann Concerto, No ? in G minor for pianoforte and
orchestra, c. Saint Saens-Mr. b. J. Lang. Grand
sccna from the Goettcrdaemmerupg Il. Wagner
Overture, "Leonore," No. 5, Beethoven.
Tho unrcmitIng exertious Of the conductor, Dr.
Damrosch, already bringing forth good fruit Tnc
has made vast progress and has risen from
the slough OF dcspond into which apathy carccssness
and bad management consigned It. Mr.. Lang, the
Boston pianist, played tho concerto with intelligence
and a crisp, clear style, lacking only IN nrc ana
preston Mcssrs. Bischon and Stenbach sang in the
scene the 'srwilaht OF the Gods (Which Is the most
impressive perhaps, In the entire trogy The concert
takes place night aud will be one worthy of such
nm organization as tho Philharmonic Society has bcen
will bo again II II continues In its present