New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-11-07
A LIszT CONCERT.

In the chattv autobiography which l,ubiustein die
tated last year. and which has recently appeared in
English Dress the great Russian musician expresses his
opinion OF List. Speaking OF the iatters visit u
Vienna In 1871, when Rubnsteln conducted the or
ccstra at his concert he says 1--WE met old friends
sincerely attached TO each other. knew his faults "a
certain pomposity OF manner, for one thing but al
ways esteemed him as o great performers performer
vlrtuoso indeed but no composer. l shall doubtless
be dev0urcd piccemeal for giving such an opinion.
We doubt whether there are many who share Rubin
ston's apprehensions touching his probable fate The
world Is pretty well agreed on the subject OF which he
speaks: and IL agrees with him. No musician OF this
or other century ever enjoyed SO long, varied and
triumphant career as List. When he died. four and
half years ago. he broke the link that connected his
contemporaries with Beethoven His active musical life
compassed nearly two full generations YET when he died
Il was In the consciousness that his greatest achieve
ment In the field OF musical composition was his mag
nifcent contribution to the worlds acceptance Ot
Richard Wagner. Fond as lie may have been OF his
own intellectual offspring. he must have realized that
except as they helped in the emancipation of the art
from the shackIes of convention they had failed to
make an impression deep enough to compel recognition
from all fair minded critics. That he enriched the
mechanism Of the art with form that has proved to
be of great value might be maintained with consider
able show Of justice. An appeal to the judgment
and taste of the music lovers Of the world however
would scarcely bring the verdict that the contents with
which he filled that form were marked by a beautiful
and enduring spirit. As composer he was peculiarly
the product OF an Intellectual movement. His works
do not root in the things which stable perennial
and of universal acceptance In art Societies, since
his death, have labored zealousy to win popular adj
miraton for his compositions but the four years
gone by and the unbiased observer and student must
confess that does not appear that single inch has
been added to the height OF the pedestal which the
composer List stands His memory is revered but 1t
Is the memory Of him as brilliant performer, q mar
vellousy skul transcTiber and the most unselsh and
faithful of friends to artists In all kinds Of need.
This being so, the artistic value OF the List con-
cert given by the Seid Society last night in Brooklyn
and Mr.. Seidl was shining example of q conductor
who devotcs himself heart and soul TO the task of
bringing his compositions to the comprehension of his
listeners. But had it not been for the pianofortc
pieces played by Mr. Rummc the concert would have
been iDsufferably tedious Those nterinezM in the
dreary monotOny Of platitudinous symphonic poems
displayed Liszt in his full mastery Of the modern
panoforte technique-a technique which was his Gre
alton. The pieces were the concerto In Il fat, La
G0ndiliefa" from the "VeDeZia NapOli' the second
Hungarian Rhapsody, and, in response to whirl-
wind Of enthusiasm called forth BY the rhapsody
(which In sober truth we have heard 50 brill
Of Pagannfs " La Campanela.'
me 0rchest rA pieces were Les Preludcs.' the two
e seno a Was ts @
In numbers and appearance. and creditably chary Of
applause. except after the pianoforte pieces.
Every one who wishes to buy or rent house in
town or country should examine the tile advertise