The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1878-09-29

cN'IS dukuly ol long favor. NNM tRINkIF.
wnhsimi. the NioiInist.
On Thursday evening Herr August Will
helmi. one vi the most distinguished Of living
vionlsts was heard for the first time in this
country at Steinway Hall.
Though stll comparatively u young man. for
he is hut 80. Wihelmj's reputation has been
established in Europe for the past twelve years.
Like most notable musicians. his talent was
Inherited. coming to him through gifted
mother and also. IA is usually the case with
this special art his powers were early dcvcr
opcd. and when he appeared at the Lower
Rhine Musical Festival Of 1867 II was conceded
by all musicians present that Wilhelmj had
already assumed among voinists that fore
most position which his illustrious master
Ferdinand David had predicted for him. His
subsequent concert tours through Europe OK
tended and strengthened this reputation.
1t was said of him that IN the first years Of his
artistic life he played but four pieces at his con-
certs-Ernst's Tantnse on airs from Otello."a
concerto by Rubinstein. the concerto in y by
Paeanni. and Ernst's Hungarian airs e. I'm
garische Wioscn ~ and it is n curious COM
mcntary on Wilhelmi's steadfastncss to early
favorites that. though in the intervening twelve
years he must have extended his repertoire so
n 10 embrace the whole field Of violin music.
nevertheless we find him. ut his first concert in
this country. playing u movement from the
same paganini concerto with which he began
his career and the same Hungarian airs by
Ernst while ut his second concert yesterdays
matinCc he played again the same two pieces.
adding Mt the evening concert for his third
piece. a transcription Of Walters prize song
from Wagner's Mcistersingcr." and ut the
matinee Bachs aria for violin from the suite in
u for violin and orchestra
Wilhelm has always been nm ardent ndmirer
Of Wagner. aud he showed the esteem for that
master by the superb manner in which on
Thursday evening he rendered the Presled.
as before he had shown il in so signal a manner
by consenting 10 forget that he was so distiu-
guished n virtuoso. and to fall INTO In, ranks Of
the orchestra and assume all the drudgery in
cident to the long-coutnued rehearsals for the
Bayreuth Festival in 1876 at which he was
| leader Of the viOlns.
The reception that Wilhclmi has received
here has been. let 1t be said in honor Of the ny
probation Of art in this city. fully up to the
standard OF his great merit The applause that
| followed his playing OF the several pieces IN
| Thursday evenings programme was So spon-
tancous and so cordial ms to indicate COM
| plet" recognition on the part Of his hearers Of
the great qualities OF the violinist Indeed. it
- .',. ,.,",oh :. ~ - ,,'",
any public performer so little known IN this
| country bns hecn racai,ed with such unmis.
taxable expressions OF pleasure and cnthusl-
| asm.
| Whn,ever may be tho neouninrv result OF
! ,,.',, my ~ ' -,
Mlheiml tour IN inns country IN thrse duil
uileS. ms att,s,c success AZ leas' Is piuceu DC
His manner is a very prcpossessing one. He
has something OF tiat cHlmn,ss. dignlty, ana
| impersonhllty mat distinguished hunihstelh;
| lie stands before ms uuulcnce WIN thr alr OF
| one VINO con"s nriorc mem rs me Interpreter
81 music IN us hlEner ,"rins' mn iih' as nelne
tn'rr Simply u, ulNulay hlinsrlt ann ms accom-
pl!shmentSo 80 IN hiS PLAYING thrrc Is an ab-
Srh'r Oh hi u ~ hl 81 'N,,Iy
hlhI anu ,i's iliet nleil'ic ~ ~ @ :, ihi
NM ,hr tiost pr,,ll;"us nill H. "I' ,N'r-
| CONE WIN ~ else thNt mhk's u,eiu seem no
| lilil nl,lcs whntrNer None pul tiiose WI. hrr
| tn'hs'N,s lAmllhV WIN W w, Nti,nin Iah IulS
| u.Irrslauu WIN VIM Vuh. Ih'lil.s an" pVi,sr'
in'YH4uoh Iap'u p"ssusc =, ~, 0',NuS; s.A' II,