New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1880-12-08
MUSIC AND THE ORA M.
MR.. HENscHEL.s VOCAL RECITAL

MR.. HENSCHEL'S VOCAL RECITAL.
Mr. Georg Hcnschel has not been very fortunate
since his arrival in this country. lie came here
possessing being said to possess, great reputa-
ton in England and his first appearance. which
at concert of the Symphony Society was
awaited with pleasant antIcipations and natural
curiosity. and his singing was listened to with IN
forest, ard, on the WHOLE with satisfaction.
He proved himself thorough musician and, in
some respects an excellent singer, and though the
programme did not give room for the display of ex-
traordinary power, what he did was generally well
done and it was felt that oven IL he had accom-
plshed nothing TO justify the enthusiastic praise
that had been bestowed on him in advance. he had
at least done nothing to show that he might not
afteI all deserve it. Much was expected OF HIM III
the oratorio of Elijah" which was re-
putcd TO be one of his best performances,
and 1t was here that something ike
disappointment was first felt Much of the music
was not well within his voice. and though portions
of it were sung with admirable taste and expires
SION. and the part was treated in thoroughly
musicianly and intelligent manner, two
of the greatest arias were altogether
Ineffective from sheer physical inability to
do them Justice. His rendering Of the part OF
Mephstopheles was still more unsatisfactory, chiefly
Elijah" Disappointing. and while 1t was inn
posi- bic not to admire his artistic qualities and his
musical intelligence. The part was not in any way
suited 20 him. and 1t came TO be wondered, quite
properly in what direction he could excel.
His first vocal recital which took place Mt Steinway
Hall last evening last settled the question: for 1t
showed the field of music IN which he is best, and
explained the nature Of the reputation which be
must hold In England. by proving HIM an excellent
singer of German songs, and of 1orid
arias Of the old Italian school of Handel CGrssnl,
Buononcini and Scaratti. To the Italian arlas he
brings exceeding facility and clearness IN runs ana
ford passages. and an evident sympathy for the
pure unaffected style in which the best aTas OF TINS
school were written. In the German songs he
displays taste. feeling and Intelligence, with sim
pie. direct method of expression, aud an entire
avoidance Of exaggerated, sentimental and
mcrctlcious effects. His vocal method is
by no means perfect for no often sings through his
nose he does not always attack his notes squarely,
but draes his voice up to them in Il most objection
nble fashion, and he has disagreea0e way of emit
ting choking sounds in expressing intense emotion.
but his good qualities so far 0verbalance his small
technical faults that one is tempted 10 forget them
IN the pleasure felt In his manly, straightforward
and expressive STYLE Last night he sang
frat group Of three arIas OF the
older Italian school, one by Haydn,
the second Carisslms "yttoria. mo cove" and the
third an aria from HanGePs "Almra" The first was
the least effective. but 1t sung with expression
and finc sustaining power and the two latter which
abound IN difficult roulades. were given with de-
ightful spirit aud simplicity. aud with extreme
huency and disinctness. He aiterwam sang
three songs from Schubcrt's "Nihelm Meis-
ter" rather sombre group but capt.
tally sung, aud in closing no sang
Bcethovens In questa tomba," Schumanu's " len
erolie nicht." Rubinsten's " Der Asva" and two
songs by Brahms, "Mnnolied" and " Unuber-
wndlich" All of these were given with marked
feeling and just expression, and he further sang
pretty duet of his own with Miss Bailey, o that
we two were MayIng." Ii may be that Mr.. IIenschel
is not a baritone of the very first rank and that bis
singing in great parts will not prove effective or
satisfactOry,-there is yet time for him to prove
himself prominent III such music.-but
there can be no question that he Is
thoroughly good singer of such works as were gwen
NJ this concert and his other recitas will be awaited
with kindly interest.
Miss Bailey who made Der first appearance at this
concert secured an uuequvoca success. Her voice
is not large and she might be heard with greater
pleasure iii "A smaller ROOM but it is high, fresh Of
pleasant qualify and cXqusltely true. Tier method,
like Mr. Henschers. is unaffected and free from
sentimentalism. and she has abundant feeling,
charmingly expressed. She sang, besides the duet.
90 that we two were Maying," Schumann's
"Nussbaum,' u Rhenish Fok-SOng by Men,
dess0hn aud two songs by Brahms, rs traumte
MIR" and Cradlc-SOng. Her singing came near
perfection In ts kind, graceful, dainty, delicate,
refined and full of sentiment and tenderness, The
Brahms Crade-SOng was her most successful mum
her and she had to repeat IL. Miss Bailey is
most welcome addition 20 the number of our con-
cert singers, for simplicity, modesty and nm
nfectedness combined with n charming voice
exccently trained, are all too rarely met with.
Mr.. William II. Sherwood gave scholarly and care
full but somewhat undressing renderngs of Bee
thOycn's piau0lOrc sonata OPP 81, No. 3. and Schu-
mann's Etudes Symph0niques.