New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-06-04
MUSICAL COMMENT.
MISS PAYS NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. IN ENG
IISH-MADAME sEMBRICH.


The entertainment which Miss Amy Fay, Of Chicago.
gave at Chclering Hall yesterday afternoon would
have served its purpose better had it been given earlier
in the season. before interest in psnoorte music had
become tagged and the temperature OF the concerroom
such rs made simple attendance WEAKNESS OF the
flesh Miss Fay is serious minded musician whose
province evidently lies in the classroom rather than
the concert hall. she payed schumann's sonata III
G-minor-fery fantastic. passionate and profoundly
emotional in turln manner that must have led her
discriminating hearers to think exceedingly well OF her
powers Of analysis and her sympathetic appreciation Of
the poetcal side Of the deepest and tendeFest OF ue
musical Romanticsts though her purposes were some
what obscured by greater blurring in the outlines
than permitted to pass muster in the cohcertroos
Of New-Yorl. We are happily past the period when
technique alone satisfies the judgment; but this IS not
because we are Indifferent TO that side OF panoforte play
ing but because is assumed matter OF course ana
relocated TO It's proper sphere only means to the
loftier end. Still pianist who wishes to interest the
concert-goers Of New-Yorl in music like schumann's
sonata must present It's structure sharply and clearly
besides disclosing its heart-beats.
Miss Fay's playing of the sonata and half a dozen
shorter pieces made up the part of her entertainment
which correspondent with the regulation recital. TO
this part she adds others of less conventional hnd
She talked briefly about the music, introduced pupil
Of tender age, who displayed talent of really me
order and young woman who is studying to become
a dancer and who gave exhibition of her art which
was too unfinished to justify comment except as to
intentions. The Young woman, who IS called Helen
Willis gave all exceedingly pretty exhibition long
she essayed none Of the steps peculiar to her pro
fessional sisters, and her classic robe, We'll
poised head, modest bearing and graceful UP
suggested dreams of Che dance 1t en-
tered into sacred rites in the antique world
leafet inserted in the programme talks fanelfully
about the high morals of what it oalle1 "Delsarte
dancing" and suggested the coming OF time wheh
such exhibitions would accompany the grand orchcs
trail concerts OF the future Years ago In Germany
an attempt made to illustrate Beethovehs " fae
toral" symphony by exhibiting pictures Of country lie
while the music was playing, and the expermenter
was rather harshy used by the aesthedclanS II we TO
member rightly. Other times, other manners now
ever under the new regime (whOse opening will proba
bly, be reserved Chicago may sec the splehuid
ballots and bewitchng dance rhythm OF the great eV
pOsers illustrated by trained corps OF brilliant youths
and ethereal madens in nterweavings OF rhythmic lo'e
lincss such as hitherto mve been visible only 10 the
poets or painters or composers eye All of which
prompts the question whether Miss Fay woula nave
produced Miss Willis in public her sister have writ
ten about terpsichorean Illustrations of symphonies
(which are but ideazed dance pieces) If society had
not smiled on dancer who nightly entertans the IRE
quenters OF a beer-hall.
Miss Fays pupil is a prodigy named Laura
Sanford ten wears old There is scarcely
word TO be said in justification of the exploit
ing OF such children, no matter how lovable and
admirable they may be- Nine times out OF ten lrrep'
arabic harm is DONE the least form Of that harm
being the changing of nascent musicians into nero
vlrtuosos. Little Miss Sanford IS plainly sweet un
affected child. with musical feelings, instincts ana abi
ties far beyond her years. Her hythmical sense is
strong, her touch full OF character her dgital skill
admirable. We could wish that she might be kept
out OF tho dollhouse Of public exhibition, and be per-
mitted to develop her gifts naturally and normally
Summer audiences enjoying summer opera In
the vernacular at the Columbus Theatre In Harlem and
the Grand opera House. The circumstances do not
invite 10 criticism exercised the standard which
prevails in the musical season. but have stu been
able to speak serious word OF praise for the Harlem
performance of :" ii Trovatore,' which vastly
superior of that OF last week at the Grand. This week
Mr. MOrsseys company at the latter place, is singing
Martha" opera which Is nearer the capacity OF
the singers and does less violence to such dramatic
oOncep tiOns the pntrsns OF the Grand arc accus
toned to than Nerd's giuesOme creation. In Har-
lem, during the remainder OF the week there viii be
an attenuation OF Mauritania" and "Hgoetto,' with
The bohemian Girl" on Saturday afternoon.
4 cable dispatch nom Berlin brought intelligence
Yesterday of Madame Sembrion's first appearance in
Lakme.' The interesting event took place on Tues
day evening IN Berlin. and II Is said that Madame Sem
birch achieved the finest triumph Of her career.