New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-01-25
XATER SCHARUENKA'S CONCERT.

Audience and concert siver seemed decidedly pleased
with each other at the first American concert Of Herr
Xaycr Scharwenka at the Metropolitan Opera House.
Indeed. the evidences Of mutual satisfaction were
numerous and hearty that there can be little doubt
that tho acquaintance 50 ausplcou,ly begun will
ripcn into sincere and lasting friendship. Herr Schar
wcnka was not preceded by great fame in any Of the
three capacities which he disclosed last night. A.
composer he chiefly known because Of some pretty
salon trines, though the splendid concerto which he
close. wisely chose. TO he the medium Of his personal
introduction had been heard here before, having hrs
been played in NcwYork, VIC believe by Mr. Con
stantn seruberg about ten years ago. Many Amer
can pupils had come home from hi> school in Berlin
and had spoken highly Of him teacher but this
could scarcely be held to amount TO fame. As an
operate composer and conductor he was entirely nm
known, even TO the musicians who keep abreast with
artistic doinTs In the German metropolis which J.,
Herr scharwcnka's home. without waste Of words 1t
may be said that at a single blow he conquered rcoog
milton for himself a. one Of the strong men in the
musical world Of today. By playing his fin
est work. his first Concerto. op. -. he awaA
cned anew the admiration which the judiclou'
have always felt hearing the work ana 10y
experimenting it with two fragments from
hi, new opera. Mataswintha.7 he bottcd ont com
pctely the SIDED reputation which he used to have
I'm the popular mind at least, As merely salon com
poser and ingenious follower in the footsteps OF Chopin
1t was delightful 10 discover his ability to handle large
forms with dircctncss. force and which never
once suggested incNpcricncc. The Concerto. with IT.
marvcllOusY brilliant and catching HcherZo, ana lt'
strong selfrcliant. militant first movement seemed
flc,er and richer IN ideas than the operate excerpts
but the latter told cloqucnty Of strong bent toward
dramatic composition in something Ike the style "
Wagner, "LohonsIin7 period. The subject Of the
opera i, drawn from Felix Dahn's Elm kampf nm
Rom and treat, Of the downfall Of the Osto-
gothic power In Italy. in consequence OF the
quarrel, which followed the death OF Thco-
doric The first scene performed that following
the meeting IL the hero and heroine duet for soprano
and tenor with full chorus. Tie second was con
trait, solo and female chorus. The solo parts were In
the hand, Of Frau Mcllc. Herr t~chus and FTaeuien
IIuhn and the choruscs were sung by the chonsters
Of the German opera. The music d, effectively written
for voice. unconventional In expression and most
.onoron,y oroAcstratcd. Herr scharwcnka led his
forces with a firm hand.
Reside, the concerto he PLAYED two solo pieces, and
won a, enthusiastic paudits a v'rtuo>o ~ he mad
a. a comp,,er Mr. Scdl and tho Metropolitan orcheS
fra also took part In the concert when was hS'chcd
10 by an audience almost a. numerous A. tHe Opera
House could accommodate.
40 little amusement was caused among The knowing
by An announcement which confronted All VINO
entered the corridor Of the Opera House
:, the effect that in consequence Of the vi,
uc.s Of Frau MclFc "Lohcucdn' would
Ice given at the opcr, to.rl.arow evening instead 81
- frirofoc a. Lr-t intended. The announcement
cr,t@d one doubt A. T. what fate would bclal Herr
scharWcnha's opera music. Iut Frau MlclNe was CD
hand and alE with marvellous he ana chri ChI.''
She f. under contract t. get ei'k t"m"frD" the shs
p.,on w seem 10 Bee Justified that II was The splch-
dld attendance ~ the performance OF LohcHsHh 1n
fI I'm ycw oi the action uf te directors and the ga--
z uf teeth which the cucm.c, OF H"rinhl opera are
hat The builders rejected Is become the head oi The
corner.