The Portland daily press., 1878-05-30

All the pleasureable anticpations caused by
the announcement of pianoforte recital by
Mr.. Ernst Perabo were most fully and happily
realized. A pianist of sound technique, he is
eminently an artist in his conception and rem
dering of the works which he nterprets. His
touch is round, firm and expressive, the sosten.
uto being notably fine; and the lighter orna-
mental passages display most smooth and
peary execution. His phrasiug is large, with
a quality of certain and ready apprehension
that is very satisfying; and his playing con-
stantly evidences much reserve power, even at
its heights of vigorous expression. Ip the
scherzo of the interesting and finely written
number by Bargiel, the finished and delicate
phrasing of Mr.. Perabo was very enjoyable.
The Fantaisie of Rheinberger, afforded an op-
portunity to hear Mr.. Kotzschmar and Mr..
Perabo together-and the pie asure evinced by
the audience at the appearance of Portland's
pianist was hearty and spontaneous. The ad-
mrable qualities of Mr.. Perabo's playing
steadily impressed themselves upon the ap-
probation Of the hearers. The Valse-Caprice
of Scharwenka was perhaps the most fortunate
in the display of the rich and magnificent tai
ent of the pianist; this number "a brilliant and
original work. was given with great impulse
and fervor, and with extreme beauty of interpre-
tation. In the fresh and well-written IdyI, in
the scherzo which revealed somewhat of the
genuine and effective composers gift of Mr..
Perabo, in the stormy and ringing phrases of
the Turkish March, as in other selec-
tons, Mr.. Psrabo proved himself the
finished artist, without exaggeration or affecta-
ton, inspired by the p1rest and most entire
feeling for his art. There may bs at times a
trife too much repression, a certain reserve in
taking the points presented by the compost
tion-but this is clearly the result of the musi-
cal atmosphere by which the pianist has been
surrounded, somewhat cold, alien to
fervor of expression and nothing if
not critical. 1t is not all the nature of
the pianist, nor his musical apprecia-
ton nor his technique. that falls short of the
most intense requirements of music-it is
rather the depth and warmth of feeling that
hesitates to voice itself entirely.
Mr.. Perabo has abundantly proved himself
thoroughly cultivated musician and an artist
Of great accomplishment and great promise.
Mr.. Kotzschmar's singularly clear, tuneful
and sensitive touch and his noble and energetic
manner were a valuable addition to the re-.
sources of Mr.. Perabo The BRIEF skilltully
improvised passage by means of which he con.
nected the shadowy grief of the Md1chen's
Klage with the golden sweetness of Shakes.
peare's song of morning, was in itself poem.
Miss Bryant displayed roand, sweet and
very sympathetic contralto, with the dusky
richness of its kind in the lower tones, and
clearness and facility in the upper register.
She is young singer of much promise, and
gave great pleasure to the audience, by whom
she was cordially recalled.
The audience was not large, but was made up
of genuinely musical people, and followed the
programme with interest and enjoyment. To
have heard Mr.. Perabo is a qualification that is
not soon to be forgotten, aud one that we trust
may be renewed. In closing the notice of this
admirable piano recital, it remains only to offer
to Mr. Perabo sincere congratulations upon his
emnence in his art and good wishes for the
voyage to Germany, upon which he is to set
forth shortly.