Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-02-15
AMUSEEMNTy.

The Stavenhagen-Gerardy Concert.-An
audience by no means commensurate Win
the ability of the performers or the char-
acter Of the program assembled at Meter
OFT Music Hall last night, on the occasion
of the first appearance in washington OF
Bernard Stavenhagen, pianist, and the boy
violoncellist, Jean Gerardy. What the audi
ence lacked in numbers it made up in en-
thusiasm, for the performers were encored
after every number. Stavenhagen is a
pianist essentially of the List school, and
he has all the force and brilliancy Of that
great master, who was his instructor. In
the List numbers he was at his best, par
ticularly in the Twelfth Rhapsody, the ar
rangement of Schubert's "Erl King and
the transcription of the "Liebestod' from
Wagner's Tristan and Isolde" the two
last being given as encOreS. With all his
dynamic power Stavenhagen has an eX-
tremely delicate touch, and this was es-
pecially noticeable in the earlier move
ments of the Beethoven moonlight so
nata and in the Mendelssohn scherZo. His
work is always such to command the
attention of his audience, and he will win
success on his merit alone. He is unaS-
Stunning in manner, but displays absolute
confidence in his own powers The instru-
ment he used last night aided his efforts
by it's resonance and volume of tone Ger
ardy is simply wonder. There are Few
masters of the cello, although it is an in
strument that in it's vibrant tone most
nearly approaches the human voice. Yet
this boy in knickerbockers handled it like
a veteran. His technique is perfect, and
the wonder is that so frail a looking lad
can give such firm bowling and such rapid
runs. He plays with perfect artistic feel
ing. and brings to his interpretations
mature Intelligence that stamps him as the
poSsessor of positive genius. His first num-
Der. a fantasia and variations on Schu-
berts lie Desir,' by Servais proved his
remarkable talents, and at once captured
his audience who would not cease their
applause until he returned and played
Saint Saens' LIE Cygne" which gave him
an opportunity to bring out some extreme
ly delicate and artistic sentiment This
was emphasized in a Chopin nocturne and
a MendelsSohn song without words, while
in a .'Spinnlied' and "Tarantelle' by
Pepper his marvellous technical skill We're
fully developed. For an encore he gave
Schumann's Evening Song bringing out
the delicate sentiment of the composition
with true musicianly feeling. Gerardys
accomplishments We're played by his sister
in very effective manner.
The Stoddard Lectures.-Tonight at the
Academy of Music Mr. John l.. Stoddard
will give his lecture on Rome" and this
is one of the most interesting of the series.
1t will be repeated at the matinee to-
morrow. The matinee will afford the
st hool children, who cannot go out at
right, an opportunity to hear Mr.. stod-
dard in a lecture that will be not only
entertaining, but beneficial from an educa-
tional point of view.
Y. M. C. A. Entertainment.-The weekly
entertainment of the Y. NJ. c. A, 1909 New
York avenue, to be given at O'Clock to-
night viii consist of recitations by Mrs.
Florence Russell Lyon, soprano solos by
Mrs. Nellie Wilson Shir-Cliff, violin solo by
Mr.. S. E. Ingley piano solo by Miss Amy
Clement Leayltt and piano trio by MeSsrS.
Burt, Chase and Muth The program is a
full one and those who participate are well
and favorably known, and a delightful
evening is assured. The entertainment Is
for the members and friends of the asso
citation, and is complimentary.