The sun., 1893-12-01
The New P,sn,-t, JOSEF sl,v,n.h,.

Mr. Josef Slivinski, the pianist. who made
his debut in America last evening. under the
| management OF Mr. A. NJ, Palmer scored at
| once an undoubted. unequivocal success.
The fact that Mr.. Palmer had thought 1T to
| import him was in itself a strong recommenda-
tion. for the excellent Judgment Of this sue
| cessful manager 10 evident on all occasions.
| But Just what measure Of merit the young
Pole would possess could not be foresecn.
Now 1t is assured that he ranks with the first
| pianists OF the wotld-his shortcomings.
whatever they are, being chiefly. IL
not wholly attributable to his youth.
and to the fact that his experience as a con-
cert player is u ahUrt one dating back at most
three years His fame was first really set
ablaze last spring when London recognized
his talents and achievements.
Slivinski is tall. dark. aud OF digni1ed pres
encc. very serious and straightforward alto
gether OF most gentlemanly and charming APP
pearance. He has been n pupil, in his boyish
days. OF Strobel In Warsaw. his native city, and
afterwards no was fellow student with
Paderewski. under Lescheti2ky. Finally. he
had lessons at st. Petersburg from Rubin
stein. 1t is difficult to avoid compari;
sons with the great pianist who carried
America by storm, partly because they
are fellow Goqnttymen and ana is Iupii,s @ OF
erewskrs departure. But. even should this
be done. which we're better left alone. the new
pianist is strong and individual enough to
bear the contrast without disastrous conse-
lie commended him self to his listeners in a
gradual crrsCfudO from the first note to the
last. convincing them. little by little. OF his
power and unlimited technical requirements
in his method that was pleasant discovery.
but the audience was skeptical. and evidently
first piece -schumann's concerto there was
cordial applause for the 80 display OF
nSns L was IN the n long series Of Solos sseeto"s
from beethoven, Chopin. Mendelssohn List.
STd TSn ohSrs the s sn 81
Hereof course.there was variety ofsentinent.
and an opportunity T. show whether ho was
tain limitations this was found to be SO.
and SIlyinsskis growth must be more, to
or Rs assrsS Ss Sone Of his GearsTs TRsy
indeed. have. now. enough both to enjoy
na eS eou sTsS S tnt sw Is
in tho. young mans playing left to be wished
for; Judged. however. from the highest
as we, have before limited, time, wouii
probably cure all that there, there is ,u now
ness. This last word applies simply 70, the
aesthetics Of his art not TO technique. which
But Sliyinskt's touch is often hard. with a
steely briliRncy. that while 1t is effective In
rapid passages, is unsatisfactory II In what
dreamer. but alert and alive. fully realizing
the demands of execution, and paying them
richly hut lacking somewhat In IMAGINATION
ami picturesIueness. and Of themlssing ef-
fects which to u tone poet would be easy OF
expression. He muss broaden his style, dare
to eXaggernte-now he is toe, frank. too hon
est in his setting forth OF musical thought.
The technique should sometimes he over
hung with misty veil OF poetry. not always in
the broad glare OF straightford assertion, All
his work is oren to the above criticism. hIch i.
not intended to detract from Slivlnskps = colossal
power and present worth. but simply to turn
him possibly into new paths leading to the
highest heights. Ills programme was an
immense one. containing n concerto
by Schnman. one by Rubinstein. and
great variety OF standard pieces
large and small. all PLAYED without, notes. as
good pianistic manners require. The audi
encs made great deal OF noise at
tho end OF Rubinsteln's concerto. with
which the concert closed. and brought
the young Pole out again and again. nor were
they satisfied until he played u barcarole by
the same com poser a. an encore. All his pro-
grammes for the remaining three concerts. on
Dec. 2. Dec. D and I. are printed with that OF
the first concert.
They show a splendid reportory. and there
is no doubt that Mr.. Slivinski will jnstly be an
immense iavorite wherever no may play.