New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-04-08
MUSIC AND THE DRAMA.
VLADIMIR DE pACU,fANv

The blacibearded and diminutve gentleman whs
stepped out on TIC stage OF Chickerng Hall Yesterday
afternoon gave no striking Indications Of being great
Chopin player, although he was certainly scl,v,c
enough in appearance. NJ Dc Pachmann is a special-
ist, genre player. and perhaps after some Of fra
pianSts who have played in the city during the lat
two years his performances sound dwsred but listen
to him attenyey and one is transported into another
musical atmosphere an atmosphere where tue,,e
liability and genuine poetic feeling predominste
Pachmann's art IS the art of the miniature na,nter
or 1t is like the art OF the patient EastIndan worker
of exquisite designs in ivory. lie does not stan nor
startlc one but the sensuous beauty Of his touch
his subtle plras.ng, his admirable rubato and TIE
absolute finish Of his technical work. rank him 2,
once pianist hors llgne, but one whose limitations
are unusually well defined. Chopin and Honelt
he eXcels IN, but in the first named composers
works lie is not always happy.
Yesterday afternoons concert opened with the B.
minor sonata, Op. 81, Of Chopin VI. Pachmann gave
an excellent Interpretation Of the work. though lack
ing however. in dramatic emphasis. but the passage
work being supcrlative;y we'll done. Worthy Of special
mention his charming singing Of the second theme
In ID In the first movement. The Largo, too, was
feelingy played but the last movement lacked both
fire and fcrvOr. Exception must he taken l. the
Gminor Balladc, which was deficient in weight and
sorority. Some portions Of it played with Cos.
samer like dclicacy while the stormy Coda was ylven
was Pachmann reading. The pianists lch
sounded to great advantage in the F-minor Nocl G.
which was cIarmingy given, erring possibly . ts
the side Of scntimcntay. Hut what can be aid
Of the Etudcs which followed They were in r ajor
and F-mnOr, and are in the second book OF Gu ,ins
masterpieces. The first, in trlplets, play, Al.
most without pedals, and piani,,imo and prestl O.
II was maIyell0usly well rendered. The No
Etudc, in +, with Its buoyant, springy figure vas
PLAYED with the utmost elasticity and freedom D
variety Of shading that proved Pachmann to
master Of cliaoscura. PachmaBns pianissimo app
TO begin where other pianists end theirs His colo g
Is most tender and cvancsccnt, but his tone is
weakest point This was manifest in the Aeg 70
Concert, Op. IS, which, while finely worked out -.
detail, Was disappointing from tona view t.
The A-hat impromptu and the lovely B-iat Hls
were very satisfactorily played, but prelude u e..
minor vas given in noisy and muddcd styl
mazgfla. coqucit., and graceful followed, and iltl
came tie hackneyed ID fiat val,e. the latter eng
taken az lightning speed. The programme in,sd
with the Bnat minor scherZo, Indiled by "A wa "
breadth. but the cantcna Of Which was sung n
most vcvcty and lcgato fashion. To enthusA c
cnc0res from wcillcd and fashionable house "
.oloi,t resi- onied with IIeuselt,s ~G0ndoled7
much overladcn BY horatnr Of The pianit's o%n I'd
Iensclt's Eude e - IL. 3 s,C;n I'eal,.' which
10 sum up. Vladimir dc Iacbmann Is a pianist &c
hv temperament seems admirably adapted for ceI IN
entirely hi, :sa-eciation Of the Polish onep' on
The yirile side. But tie brilliant clegances ne
tender mOrhditlcs and that exotic atmosphere lich
cnvclop, many Of Ch0pns oomp)s'ion,-for all 'lese
Pachmann 10 have the most intense appIec alton
Ills personality j, not al times The most pla,al for
be obtwidcs i, often to the dctfmei II his dinces
rhi, afternoon he gives another Chopin recita and
MAY, the cl.at F-ninor fantasie the SHAT minor
harp minor and some nOcturncs. imprompius,
baadc and schcrzo finishing with the vaise, op A.