The New York herald., 1877-02-14
AMUSEM ENTS.
srr1NwAr HALL-MMr. rssrpory.

sTEINwAY HALL-MME. EssIPoFY.
The return OF such accomplished artist as Nina
Essipon to New York after her extended Western
SUBJECT of congratulaton In musical circles
here. Last night she made her ren,rec at S,einway
Hall and received with a hcartiness that left
nothing to be desired the score OF welcome. AL.
though she indisposed the occasion Nine.
Essipon's great talents shown the early part
OF tho concert. Her 1rst tribute paid to the
wotan OF the walhaa OF Music-Beethovsn-a
the sonata in A fat opus ITO. was selected work
which Is somew hat neglected OF late by panists
The Interpretation Of the introduction. Moderato
table motto oppressive revealed degree OF poetry
dclicacy and finished execution, especially in the
treatment OF the light gossamerke passages that
entirely in accord with tho spirit Of the music.
The pianist proceeded at without pause TO the
allegro with short, abrupt phrases, and fingered
with loving tenderness the beautiful adago,
markable example OF the composers latest period in
writing. The succeeding fuguc was given with that
distinctness that carried tho theme through every
fancifu episode without obscuring In the
least its measures. and yet there was not
trace of monotony, but the varying emo
tions-sadness, JOY, love and weariness OF spirit
traced upon the ivory keys with magnetic power.
Chopin was, OF course the next OF the musical dees
she sas crested shrine ner heart
poetry. The nocturne IN minor, with its refine
mcnts OF harmony that seem Of celestial birth and ths
p0onase In Hat (militare with its martial, cner-
getc rhythm that gavanze and eectrity even The
most indifferent the selections from the works OF
the Apollo OF the divine art AS the bold, command
ing measures spraug from the piano at the touch
Of the player one might dream Of the
days those gallant cavaliers whose ballroom
the battle field and whose music the clash Of
At this point OF the concert the interest les
scned the Polish song OF Chopin transcribed for the
plano by Llszt is tho least attractive OF tho nftecn
songs known as s.Chants Polonas," and Mme. Essi-
pon showed evident signs OF either indisposition
wcarincss in her playing Of two little works by
which concluded the concert, is rather in
gcnious and eccentric than artistic, and II ofiends
the ear after such works US those which
gramme NJ. Alfred vivieu, the violinst, played
sonata by f. Rust, written in 1885, and consisting
Of short movements which nowadays would form u
suite instead of sonata The composer, who was
quitea celebrity in Anhalt Dessau century ago.
admirably interpreted by NJ v,vien. or the various
movements Ggue Ug) seemed to US to be the most
a Mendelssohn scherzo Mile. Agnese Palma, con-
tralto, sang some selections very unsatisfactory
neither her voice nor her method oi singing beng
kind calculated to WIN public favor or critical esteem
THE LAsAR TESTIMONIAL CONCERT.
Mr.. S. Lasar's testimonial concert at tho Strong
place Bapis. church. Brooklyn, last evening we'll
attended. and would have been very enjoyable II II
had not been church. There Is something In the
atmosphere Of church that is fatal to amusemonts,
though they be nothing moro secular tnan
sacred concert. Another drawback In senses OF
the word than one was the that the singers n
tho choir loft at the OF tie church, so
that one not having his neck on pivot
like figure in hairdressers window len
the church q stiff.necked victim to his curiosity.
There encorcs last evening, and although the
audience evidently pleased applause seemed out Of
place. Tho claps few and far between, and rang
through the church with startling distinctness. The
programme was we'll selected, aud was inaugurated
with so tnat knew where might find HIM." an
anthem by Sir William Stcrndale Bennett, composer
whose music is too seldom heard In this country but
whose popularity In England Is an exception to the
rule that prophet Is not without 9onor save 10 ms
from "Elijah," "Eli" "The Creation 1.-THE Mes
siah !" and motett, "Hear u.s. Oh, Saviour" by Nor
liz Aauptmann sung by the choir of the church The
ley-Hils, Mr. Leggat and Mr. Sohst The second part
OF the programme devoted TO the Stabat Mater
which not, however, given In Its entirety. Miss
Beebes showed to advantage In the parts allotted
the otherwise, gives impression Of reserved
power She particularly good IN tho ''lnfamma-
tus" Mrs. Bulkley- Ills has very agreeable, sympa-
tnetic voice. with little oil MISS Beebesquaity. Her
cavatina was we'll sung, and would have received an
encore an where but in church. Mr. Leggat sang
the .Cujus Amman" without spirit, and showed
traces of recent cold His voice would be more
agreeable If he did not use the tremoo so continually
sPio Reccatis" and the quartet without accompani-
ment was unusually well rendered. The choir hardly
did Justice to the choruses For some reason or
other choir singers never sing out; half the number
fault with this choir the jerky manner IN which it
sing but that taut lies with the conductor to remedy.
THE WINDSOR DRAMATIC CLUB.