The critic., 1891-01-28
The First de pachmann Recital.

rum We NtW IOFh oUH, Sm.
The first thing which NJ. de Pachmann
did when he stepped out upon, the stage
yesterday afternoon was to make pro-
found obeisance to the large audience
which had gathered to his honor in Chick
ering Hall. Having placed himself at the
piano with rather weary air, he discov-
cred that his seat was too low. A motion
brought the efficient stage manner Of the
hall from his retreat in the ante-room,
and, the bench being screwed to the
proper altitude, NJ. de Pachmann again
fingers over the keys in liquid arpeggios
and scales. The sweet tones rippfed like
pearls dropping from broken string.
DE Pachmann gave an articulate sound of
satisfaction, and then said, in voice loud
enough TO be heard at the furthest point
Of the room, "Ein schOnes clavier''--which
indeed ii proved itself. Then the pianist
struck the first note Of Chopin's ALLEGRO
de Concert" but, as conversation was not
yet quite hushed among the inhabitants
of the parquet, he stopped short, folded
his arms and looked sternly into the audi
ence. Instantly a dead silence fell upon
the house. and the music began once more.
At first the virtuoso did not work with
much spirit, but as the concert progressed
he became animated and at times almost
inspired. He certainly never played bet
ter than on tins occasion. With the ex-
ception of the "Polonaise-F Fantastic and
the well-worn Polonaise in A, opus 40, all
the numbers of his programme had been
given by him at previous recitals. or the
last he gave an entirely new rendering, so
far from the commonplace and gaudy
reading usually accorded to the piece that
| IL became transformed, under his hands,
| to an elegant and refined picture of ladies
| and gentlemen in stately procession,
which, passing by, gradually vanishes out
| of sight and hearing.
TO indicate to his listeners the idea he
had wished to convey NJ. de Pachmann
waved his hands from one side to the
| other, ON the conclusion of his rendition
| of this mOrcedu nodding his head
| violently, thus further illustrating by
| clear and simple pantomime his original
| conception so cleverly carried out.
At another time, after a beautiful but
intricate passage, so exquistely played
that it came like finest filagree work from
under his fingers, De Pachman the man
called ont to DO Pachman the pianist
"Bravol Bravo!n
Still later, at the end of the etude, opus
%, in Il minor, which he plays with O
perfection of delicacy sufficient TO warrant
even so rare and astounding q mode ol
expressing approval, De Pachmann turned
To the audience, and stretching forth his
right hand, with fingers outspread, ex
claimed loudly, "Charming charmingp
and thereupon proceeded smilingly to re
peat the number.
There is no doubt that, carried to Ger
tain extent, his audiences enjoy the
friendliness and familiarity, unconven
tional though it may be, which the grea
pianist extends TO them. If he were les
gifted, or If the dignity of his pianistit
methods did not antidote in large measur,
the apparent tendency to charlatanry IL
his manner, he might deserve censure fo
his eccentric behavior As II is, De Pach
mann calls forth pure admiration for hi
wonderful execution no less than for hi
noble and just musical conceptions.