New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1880-12-15
MUSIC.
THE JosEFFY-THOMAs CONCERT.


Although Rafael Joseffy since he came here has
not lacked opportunities to display the many
sides of his genius as piano player. he
was denied by many his full stature an
artist until he had given the great concertos which
are looked upon as providing the final and conclu-
sive tests. These. however compel the cooperation
of IN orchestra and teacher equally well fitted for
the task and for want If these everybody knows
the genial artist suffered much embarrassment last
wear both in New-York ard other cities.
In the first concert Of the Philharmonic
Society and the two concerts given IN
conjunction with Mr. Thomas orchestra IN the
Metropolitan Hall this season the admirable eharac-
ter of the combination OF JOseify and thomas was
abundantly demonstrated, and the announcement OF
q series Of concerts ut Steinway Hall. which was
inaugurated last night was received with pleasure
by the friends of the two musicians and the musical
public in general. The ram may have had tho
effect of keeping some persons at home who
would otherwise have been present, but II so only
prevented the hall from being oyercrowded. In
spite of tile weather the audience was very
large. friendly aud appreclative one; AMI
one moreover that az keenly alive 10
the beauty Of the orchestral part of the concert
to the performances Of the chief soost of the even
ing-which is not usually the case. The programme.
which in addition TO the features first announced.
was made to include two numbers for ". {. Town,
was as follows:
oounu an 1 II an a. Rceib0ven
imfTodnction. Tara r. "a Act Mesters.nser Wagner
riaho aCSnique glamour
C. walizs. Souvenir a Amerique" .Josefy
Fantasia Runs of Athens Beethoven
There is here a wide variety OF piano
music the great Beethoven concerto demanding
tho ti,.h roxya
Mr. Joseffy much Of the celebrity he now enjoys
and which shone brightly in the List piece and his
own new set of watzes last night 1t has been said,
with some show of Justice. that Mr. Joseity5
tastes and peculiar abilities have made MN
specialist in music, because of the predominance
of brilliant effects and exquisite refinement OF tone.
for which he shows n prediction. Last nights
test however. proved again that II his poeueai
feeling has not a depth commensurate with the most
profound of Beethovens works hs taste is neyer'he-
less noble and mis- purposes are honest earnest and
unseliish. The temptation to resort TO
tricks to catch applause must be great
when one is so perfectly equipped as Josehy to
amaze and bewider but it must be SAID to his
honor that he always ressts II and rises with tie
dignity of the work before him. He IS
never snowy for the sake Of show when
ihal is not the motive f tho composition. and his
fine sense OF symmetry and his rich possession IF
the quality of repose, with exquisite taste and
phenomenal mechanical skill enable blm always, az
LAST night in the Beethoven concerto, to prodGcea
we.balanccd. refined and expressive art work.
Mr.. Tower. who came from ,ston 20 sing the
S.egfried music at the concerts Of the Phlhar-
monte Societies of this city and Brookiyn, bad an
cpportunlty-the easier music smaller hall, and
lighter orchertra--;o show his voice to bettor
advantage than in the Academy last Saturday.
lie gave tie Handel air that favorite of ali robust
enors, III an Inspiring style, arousing The listeners
10 enthnsiastc applause in the middle OF the air.
HIS singing OF the sentimental songs OF Fesca was
rather moHotOnOus IN color
Every movement OF the beautiful minor SYM
phony was applauded and the " Meieter-
singer Introduction. They were the show pieces
of he orchestra, winch, however did equally sood
work III accompanying the concerto ana the i'htasi|