The record-union., 1895-05-23
ADJUSTMENTS.

Ysaye, the Belgian violinist, appeared
at the Congregational Church last night.
There was not sufficiently large audi
ence to save the young men who put up
the necessary guarantee from loss. 1t
was an appreclative audience and it was
rewarded for its coming by hearing a
master artist Forest Cheney has said
that art is the mechanical expression of
human thought and emotion. 1t, of
course, applies TO instrumental music.
The more skillful the manipulation of
the medium, the nearer the approach to
the thought and emotion. But this ma
nIpuIatlon must be actuated by true con-
ceptlon OF the thought and emotion, and
mat conception represents the individu-
allty OF the player. There is individual
ity in music, and there is lik kewise music
individuality in those who interpret and
express music. The color, character of
expression and method of the painter
speak Of him and his conception Of the
idea that he attempts to portray. So with
Ysaye, it is his definite individuality in
playing that distinguishes him from the
many violinists. He does not merely fol-
low scores. nor does he interpret as 9TH
ers have conceived for him; he has his
own clear-cut idea of the emotion and
thought to be expressed, and that in turn
ho Pubb AutO auO OuI VI Ills
ulailon OF The violin. Ysaye is a great
artist; that he is The first of living violin
lists Is not true. He is among the fore
most of those who travel, and perhaps is
first of all of them. He is classical
player and addresses mainly the taste
that desires the classical. He uses tricks
OF the violin as does Remenyi; but he is
hungarian Generals smile before an
audience Is a benediction. Certainly
Ysaye Is greater artist than
Remenyl, much so; but before
the promiscuous audience the latter
has most favor. The auditor is in Ino
doubt from the time Ysaye draws his
bow that behind his execution there is a
powerful musical individuality; that un-
der the manifestation lies an informing
spirit that is of the highest type. 1t is
the certainty in the mind of the hearer
that there is refined power behind and
projecting the expression; the power Of
an original, aggressive character. fired by
al enthusiasm born of genius that max es
the auditor pay tribute to the performer.
We doubt very much if Ysaye methodi-
cally analyses to reach methods of inter-
pretation. We prefer to believe that this
artist is genius interpreting as he feels,
and feeling because he does; because
1t Is given to him to comprehend
as he grasps harmonies and mel
ody, as only the few can or do.
Lascnaume, the pianist. is an admirable
accompanies; Ysaye could not wish for
/ better. But as sOloist Laschaume does
not satisfy. 1t is not pretentious to say
that we have artists in California in con-
siderable mum ber who are his superiors
as soloists. We know of none, however,
who are better accompanies. 1t is to be
said for Laschaume that the instrument
he used was hard, metallic, mot in con-
dition," to adopt q common phrase.
Laschaume had three selections on the
programme and Ysaye seven. Each gave
an extra, SO that there were twelve selec-
tions played, making up programme
full of interest, and that held the audience
in satisfaction with the concert as
whole, and sent it away glad that it had
embraced the opportunity.
The Leavitt All-Star Specially Company
has struck the keynote of favor at the
Clunie Opera-house. 1t is filling the
theater nightly, and deservedly so. With
Stuart, the male Patti, the Allmonts n
their musical act, the man frog, the
tramp juggler, the king and the midget,
the slackwire comedian, the black art
man, Leoni in mid air, and Slack and
Milton on the parallel bars-with sucn
variety and excellence why should not
the troupe fill the house nightly?