New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-04-02
: DIR Won BIEIows RECITAIS.

II DE- Won Bueiow were TO argue from his cxrsyfi
ences IN New-York since his arrival ten days ego,
more particularly from those made yesterday after
noon when he gave his first recital of compositions By
Beethoven, that tho people Of New-York had made
great strides In musical culture since be first here
In 1s7e Il would be difficult to bold brief against
him. II has always been the rule. even IN hs own
case that pianoforte recitals were looked upon as
being void Of attraction for many; yet yesterday DE-
Won Buelow played before an audience almost as
numerous as the Broadway Theatre would accom-
moGate and was listened 10 with an earnestncss end
DEVOTION that spoke loudly and eoqpenty Of the real
geBtleness refinement, sincerity and special clre Of
the listeners More than that He was heard to tho
end with tho same intensity Of interest By all save per
haps score Of thoss who in their places at tho
beginning Notwithstanding that the programme conf
tained six <of Beethovens sonatas tamong
them some Of the earliest and least interest
ing compositions Of tho master IN this
department. besides two ses OF variations. Even
whom a Won Buelow provides 1t such pleasure e
not all pleasure bat also WEAKNESS to the flesh, "a
doubtless many experienced when the recital was over
and the intellectual and emotional stimulus which
tho player provided, was gone. Hence II that we
think that Won Buelow would be justified In MAXI.
Ing deductions rs to the progress OF music In New
York of hind calculated to crafty the friends OF the
art fiatter local patriotism and also delight the soul
Of so true and earnest disciple Of music as he has
always been.
Tho programme was composed Of the osonats
On. q No. In major op 10
No. q in major, op. 10 in O
minor e. PathetiqueHl, op. IA, Nos. and respec-
lively In major and major, and op. Is In D
major The variations were the twelve on Russian
Dance in major and the SIX on an original theme
in major, op "a. Chronologicslly IL embraced tho
period of Beethovens creative activity between 17ss
and 1909, period In which tho original character.
Istics Of Beethoven's genius made their appearances
only sporadcLly. q
There were 30 many professional and amateur
musicians in the audience, and such array OF nu-
sic books, that the recital seemed good deal Ike
ono of post graduate course in Beethoven inter-
probation Indeed, there is no point of view from
which the recital could better be treated than ths
one suggested in that idea. Critically minded peo-
pie afflicted with long and tenacious memories
would have lost much OF the dclighdulness OF the
affair If they had contemplated tho player merely a.
pianoforte vituoso and compared some Of his work
with that listened to here in 1875 Occasionally bis
fingers would stumble now and then figure or short
phrase would be droppeo and anon the want OF
sen suous beauty OF tone would force itself upon the
attention; these things might have assumed thu
significance of mardeghts had they been permitted
to claim any considerable share Of the attention As
fact that DR.. Won Buelow was not performing as q
virtoso, but interpreting as musician and disciple
Of the supreme musical master OF the century. IN
this capacity he did net merely @;a give pleasure n p Se
original theme IN T. and the last sonata especially b.;
playing was so generous intellectual and emotionai
refres6mout that the old eavilliags at his want OF
that impetuous warmth and aLcompellng
magnetism which carries one captive 80
much oftener and quicker than the self-contained,
lucid uniangy logical playing characteristic OF no
student and master, with dominating intellectually
rather than animalism, were forgotten wholly ana
happily -
Dr. Won Buelcw Is fulfIling mission and fut
filing It noby. II Is moro than gratifying that ,S
public Is entering into its spirit with him, and tnss
the manifestation Of interest has been so great nat
tho management has cancelled engagements In toe
West and extended the New-York season over ncxt
week, when he will give thrco additional recitas on
Tuesday Thursday and Friday.