The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1895-02-21
4 Musical Event in Baltimore.

BALTIMORE. tD lcth, 1c"c.
EDITOR GOLD LEAF-Thinking that it
might be OF interest to your muslcaiiy
inclined readers, it gives me pleasure to
attempt description of visit OF mine
to one OF Baltimore's most noble feats
of architecture-its new Music Hall.
The occasion was the appearance OF
Bernhard Stavenhagen, pianist, and
Master Jean Gerardy, the boy Niolincei-
list, which had been looked forward to by
the music loving people OF Baltimore
with an enthusiasm heretofore I'M
equaled
OF Stavenhagen $ American debut in
Carnegie Hall, New York, he can truth
fully echo Julius Caesar and say Ven!,
Vidi. Wei, and his reception last evening
at the new Music Hall, in Baltimore, was
only such as his genius deserved. Sta
yenhagen is considered by many mucical
critics to be almost an equal to the great
Able himself, and certainly he is no I'M
worthy representative. The programme
was a very select one and was opened by
Beethovan's 80 variations in Minor.
Never before has this great masters
Concerto been heard by Baltimoreans
as played by this European artist. 1t
takes a master mind as well as nimble
fingers to interpret Beethoven's works,
and Stavenhagen showed that he had
both: for the dash and spirit with which
he played the roicking rondo carried the
audience into such high state OF enthu-
siasm that they seemed to be moving
in one accord in harmony with the here
tofore seemingly hidden tones of the in
strument. The Cadenza in the Allegro
Con Brio, showed his wonderful power OF
execution, and his rendition with such
perfect Interpretation, and depth OF feel
ing, was simply electrifying in its inten-
sity. The Crescendo passages in ChOpn's
Etude in c Sharp Minor, was worked up
from the softest ''P P'' to the grand
"F. F. with such purity OF style and
evenness of touch, that it proved him to
be perfect master OF his instrument.
AS List has said of him he is MY legacy
to the world of Music" Such evenness
of appeggiO, says a musical critic, such
beautifully liquid runs, and technical
difficulties, such as the great List was
so fond of creating himself, surmounted
with the greatest ease, proves Mr.. Sta
venhagen's right to stand in the front
rank of piano virtuosi. The complete
programme rendered by him was Dis fol-
lows:
81 Variations, G Minor. Beethoven.
(a) Les Papillons, Schumal.n-
CD Nocturne. Chopin,
Co Erude &C Sharp-MinOr, Chopin.
{d) Sherzo &C Minor. Mendlesshop.
CD Valse 1mprOmptu.
IsoIdeS LiebestOd Wagner.
Erl-kOenig, Schubert
AS an en- core to the last selection he
played al unpublished composition OF
List.
Master Gerardy, although boy only
in years (16), is no child with a ''parrot's
memory" but a marvellous genius His
execution showed that he too was acom-
plete master OF his instrument. He was
accompanied by his sister Mile. Gerardy.
The en- cores were heavy and graciously
responded to. Even after the pro-
grarnme had been concluded, the audience
would not leave until he had favored
them with another selection, which was
a nocturne by Chopin.
The appearance of Stavenhagen and
Gerardy is one that will long be remem-
bered by those who heard them, and it
is to be much regretted that inclement
weather kept good many from attend
ing, who would have gone, though the
audience was composed of the cream of
Baltimore society. After the concert, / had
the honor Ofbelng.One among thefew, who
were invited into the reception room to
receive introductions, and more genial
and pleasant man | have never met.
After a few moments of conversation,
introductions to Master and Miss Gerardy
were offered, and with hearty "Good
Nights" the party were driven to their
hotels. Stavenhagen is the most noted
pianist that will visit this country du-
ring the present year.
business in Baltimore is a little dull at
present but we are looking for a good
fall business. The piano business you
know is the only grand, square and up
right business in the world anyhow.
Truly yours.
W, L. COGHILL,