The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-10-14

/. Allegro Maestoso. 8 AlIegretto vivaec;
Herr Josefy and Orchestra.
The appearance of Joseay concert stage
has been looked forward to as one OF the most i'm
portant musical events of the season. and his
inaugural concert in Chickering Hall last evening.
attended by the professional well as the
teur musical circles Of the city. Mr. Josey is young
whose studies have been conducted by Mos
cheles and Carl Tausig. and under the teachings Of
such able masters his native genius has been rapidly
developed. He comes to us heralded by good words
from competent critics, and those who ranked
among his admirers have bracketed his name with
those of Liszt. Tausig. Rubenstein and Won Bulow.
Comparisons are odious," and Mr.. Josefys excel
lence is so apparent that he we'll afford to ask
judgment from artistic standard and not by
comparison with another virtuoso. We might say
that he does not possess Won Bulows intellectually.
but that his youth and its warmth add glow to his
music which Balow possesses in lesser de-
gree. The statement might be true in its deduc-
tons, and yet the criticism. based comparison
OF qualities. gives correct estimate Of his powers
All great musicians possess qualities of their own.
which form individuality by which alone they
should be judged. Therefore, with no reference to
other players let Mr. Joseffy be judged by his work
before his metropolitan audiences.
His execution is simply marvellous; his mechanical
facility enables him to add intrcately constructed
variations to which originally difficult.
All his technical difficulties he masters with quiet
grace and ease and his triumphs borne with q
modesty that adds greatly to the effect on his au-
diences. He thoroughly comprehends the tentons
of the master whose music he plays, and inter
prets them clearly with good Judgment and
being brilliant. clear and crisp, and he APP
pears to almost equal advantage in forte piano
passages. He has the power Of u man when neelful,
and yet. in his and trills in pianssimo, his
touch Is as delicate and dainty q woman's.
posed in part OF brother artists, who are. in
tain sense. rivals in the same field of action. his
technique brilliant and the evidence OF soul
and thought in his playing was 30 apparent that
| he was accorded unanimous verdict OF hearty
and generous approval that stamped him
| as exceptionally great pianist.
| Our strong Endorsement refers, it must be remem-
bered, to his music OF last night and must be quail
| ned in two ways We must say that il fault is to
be found in this excellent artist it arises from his
| very excellence; his facility is SO nearly I'M
| limited that it may lead him into trifing SEN
striving for sensational effect through the medium
of his technique. Another qualification of praise
must be in the Withholding OF absolute Endorsement
| until we have heard him Wednesday,, when he
| will interpret Beethoven. Then perhaps pro-
| nounce final Judgment.
| Chopin's concerto in minor was admirably rem
| dered, there being scarcely any choice among the
| three movements. The second movement developed
wonderfully well his delicacy Of touch, every note
! of the most dainty passage being heard clearly
throughout the hall and shaded to y nicely. in
| pianssimo The chromatic runs in double notes
and those in octaves were superbly and faultlessy
given and the final forte passage. which is written
in single notes, he played in octaves with vim and
brilliancy that resulted in ovation he retired
| The "Chromatische Fantasia und Fugue." by
Bach, as played showed most refined hand, and
heart, and gave play to his powers both OF facility
and expression. The "Menuett,' by Boccherini, has
| been heard here lately in Thomas concerts. and
| Josefy's own transcription which he played
| ornamented and beautiful reproduction executed
| almost fautlessly. An etude Chopns waltz
| in Hat the last OF the trio of
solos he played, and his double
| rs composer and performer. To make etude Of
calls for common order of talent and the applause
| he received most worthily earned. He play ed
as encore a List selection.
LISTS concerto in flat was the final num-
tition of the earlier successes The
ond movement quasi adagiol was most warmly APP
preciated, and the technical brliancy of a chro-
matte Including sixths and thirds) in the last
movement, fairly brought down the house."
We have here strongly praised Herr Joseffy and
Endorsed in great part the Vienna opinions of his
worth. but, have said, there is yet field
which must see him enter before
press final conclusions as to his place
among living panists. Last evening his
selections admirably inclined, apparently,
| to show him at his best. Now let IL
Beethoven will lessen our good opinions. II not,
then indeed may we thank Moscheles and Tausg for
great artist in the pupil they have sent to
but excellent in quality, including many of
the artists who play in all best
orchestral concerts. The hall is somewhat
small for good orchestral effects. but the
second symphony, well rendered The light
and shade well distributed. and the strings
did most creditable work i'll the over
ture. The Sant-Ssens symphony heard
rosch's leadership, when it was played with fuller
orchestra. We here write at greater length