The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1892-11-23
A pinnOfOrte Recital.

Herr Gustav Won Waldenhain played piano
yesterday afternoon in ChickerinG Hall The
piano was beautiful one. the audience. which
Major Pond had assembled by spreading invi-
tations widely about. was large and attentive.
and the descriptive circular which accom-
panied the programmes. containing sketch
OF Won Waldenhains Life and Work. with
enthusiastic eu!o:ies ofthe so-called genius"
was both interesting and exciting. As one
read this it seemed indeed difficult. il not
impossible. for any human being to nj
with talents and attainments the outline pic
ture drawn OF tho musical hero who was to
make his first appearance in the United States
on this occasion. Herr Won Waldenhain. it
said. sings as well us he plays. He possesses
the requirements that would make him a sue
cess as a singer al any Of our grand operas"
Again: Mr. Won Waldenhain is not ONLY an
able and talented musician. lie is also Il good
lecture, and "he is fine ard brilliant
feeling" An. ann ouncement hat the PERFORM
er was suffering from cold and could not sing
yesterday afternoon reduced him from tho
dual to the single individuality, and l!ctr yun
Waldenhan thus remains TO bcrpnsidrrrl IN
the sole capacity .! pianist. In TINS sihcre.
whether Judged 10y absolute rules OF artistic
ability or by the less noble standard
title virtuoso." MIR. Won WnnIenhan is
very deficient. He stands neither, in ths
uFst. SecOuu. NOT vi IbhiS .tiu
worse than all the limitatiorls Of technique
and all tho absence OF worthy method which
hamper or mar his playing he Is often mis-.
taken in the meaning Of what lie renders and
absolutely wrong IN expression. So that the
feeling or sensitive sy!uIaihr that un-
dout teddy animatrs his soul with regard to
music rather leads him astrav from paths
OF right and beauty than adds TO tie effective
ness OF what he undertakes To de-. Perhaps
MIR. Won Waldcnhain mi. ht Tin! audiences TO
whom he would Elve y eisuro ~ hl- PIANO
playing and exalt intcllt ctuaiiy. These an
dienceS are not. however. to lie ioun'! III New
York nor in any lHigo city where n.Islc,iI
greatly cultivated. ana 1t - PRESUMPTION Tor
any one who has not more solid foundation OF
skill to present himself before orr pnlnlIc Tor
approval and 10 pose as genius I y"
lecture or explanatory remarks wore trite
places ting,d with an unhealthy and
morbid vein Il s"ntimontaitY; n,,
Mr.. Won Waldenhain played List s Rhapsody
No. T.. one OF Mosakowssi's first rIblshed
and most hackneyed compositions, the e-re.
made. oru. ~; waltz ~ Schu,oh, Ivy" u
Mendelssohn's Songs Without Words" and
several other pieces. among which wcr. two
OF his own writing. The latter were childishl
simple in form and without originality. With
the exception Of li-Zt's Rhapsody. all the So
lections were almost entirely tree from tech
meal difficulties and belonged 70 a sty!e
somewhat antiluated. Mr.. von Waltenhain
touch. but his lingering and hand position arc
aS1ward and he has many eccentric move
ms II. as. for in stance the lifting OF his arms
riRi,iy in the air inter hesttikes the last notes
Of whatever he has Iayed. His use OF the
pedal Is only misuse. 1t is unfortunate that
he was not heard IN song: in that department
lie might possibly have dono better WORK.