The herald., 1896-02-08
AT THE THEATERS

great Pole is as peerless among piansts as
was Paganini among the masters OF the
violin. Six years ago, at his first appear
ance in London, an eminent critic said OF
him: "He combines the force of Rubin
stein with the spirituality of List, and If
his genius does not kill him he will be
greater than either" We may thank
Providence and Paderewski's good care of
himself that he is not only still spared to
us, but that his genius develops his art
with every new year. The secret OF the
great virtuoso's success cannot be found
merely in his native divine talent; rather
ii may be traced to years of the most as
siduous training and to the unremitting
toll by which every day he improves and
perfects his work. So it is that his precis-
ion is unerring, and his accuracy almost
Iifallible. But crowniDg all the virtues OF
his interpretations is the glorious emboii-
ment of his own individuality in the eX-
preston of the works of the great masters.
If in numbers the audience last night
was disappointing, the enthusiasm of a
musical assembly proved a distinct COM
pensation. There was no sign of that idol
airy which has caused sober men to turn
aside and smile. Enthusiasm there was and
Paderewski seemed to recognize almost
with an audience that could fully appreci-
ate his work. And lie was in generous
mood. To look at the fragile physique of
the man, one could hardly believe him ca
pable of the physical effort of playing the
most exacting music for an hour and forty
minutes with only the brietest intermis-
sions. But one has to take into account
the extraordinary store of nervous energy
in his constitution and his own enthusiasm
in his art Despite long and eXbausting
program. Paderewski vouahsafed couple
of encores.
From glance at the audience one could
perceive they had not been attracted by
motives of curiosity. They cared little
whether the great artists hair were better
described as 'shock of red hair or an
"aureole and halo of golden sunlight"
They were there to enjoy every note of his
Incompatible art.
The works of Chopin and Lszt formed
the main part of last nights recital. The
Chopin selections were the Nocturne in G
major. followed by the b minor mazurka
and two etudes. opus %; next the ever
popular and we'll worn Berceuse and the
valse in A flat. In addition to these he
played the d fiat major va!se, popularity
known as the Minute waltz. Paderewski
is notoriously an adorer of his compatriot's
WORKS, and is said TO render them with
yet greater skill than did the composer
Each number was given with the rarest
delicacy of effect. The artists wonderful
wrist power was finely displayed in the
octave etude in flat major. and the skill
full phrasing Herewith was telling proof
of his wonderful art. the exquisite modu
lations OF the Berceuse entirely enthralled
the audience.
Liszt's transcription from Mendelssobn's
Midsummer Nights Dream was the first
number to arouse the enthusiasm of the
audience; indeed. they could hardly with
hold their applause during the progress of
the fantasie. The grand chords of the
wedding march pealed forth with superb
force. The number affords a splendid
opportunity for display of the virtuo5o's
extraordinary mastery of technique. Each
finger seemed to have an individual life of
its own, and all working to secure a perfect
combination.
The most delightful part OF the Beethoven
(Waldstein) sonata in Z major, with which
the recital commenced, was the adago
movement. The pleading passages were
given with exquisite tenderness and the
roudo that follow was a perfect pleasure.
Two short compositions of Paderenski
himself, were included in the program and
of course met with the heartiest recogn;-
ton. The motif in the caprice is not very
easily discerned, but its execution was
superb. The charming minuet, to which
the foregoing number was in striking con-
trast. elected Il storm OF applause. which
was only appeased by q repetition of this at
present his best known work. The dainti-
ness of the tripping measures was revela-
tiCn.
The program was to have concluded with
Liszt's famous Rhapsodie Hongroise No. =,
but the audience would not let Paderewshi
leave them without yet one more proof CT
his power. The dramatic Introduction of
the rhapsodie and the thunder in the bass
were magnificently produced, and the in
t<ra alx r.tf
sublime climax. was interpreted as by no
other living pianist. Paderewski, after
vainly endeavoring to express his thanks
for such appreciation by succession of
bows, proceeded once more to the piano
and gave the Paganini-Liszt campanella.
Paderewski's visit to Los Angeles marks
an era in it's musical history, and no music
lover can afford to miss such rare enjoy
ment. A piano student will probably gain
more from hearing Paderewski play once
than from dozen lessons. The program
for today's matinee at 2 80 is as follows
Sonata, appassionata, F minor. op 81. Beet
hoven: allegro Assai andante con moto; ale
gro ma non troppo; presto.
Papillons Schumann
Serenade. Ha:k Hark the Lark: soiree de
Vienne, major; Erl King; Schubert List.
Nocturne G minor, op AZ, No / ; prelude, A
fiat major. No. ": two etudes q sharp minor,
No. g. A minor: No. l !, op IS; valse, c sharp
minor. op. "a. No. 9; Chopin.
CIacovienne, fantastique, op. Ia, No. q.
Padere wski.
Au Bord dune Source. etude de concert No
2, Rhapsodie Hongroise No 10, List.
= 4 r
RPHEUM.-Amusement of the nature o1
that given at the Orpheum for the past few
weeks cannot but continue to meet with
the favor of Los Angeles audiences. The
management has continued TO present d
bill of which comedy is the ruling feature
but combining other vaudeville specialize.
suited to please the widest range of tastes
Gilbert and Goldie are as funny as ever ir
their new songs and frolics. The sisters
De Van execute some wonderful feats iI
their airy turn, and Bernard Dyllyn con
tiDues to draw rounds of applause from
gallery to loge. Caron and Herber,
of comedy in the acrobatic line
and their performance seems just as bright
and laughable at each successive repeti
ton. The appearance of Gilmore anc
Leonard was halle i with enthusiasm
which they managed to keep alive by theil
clever Irish character sketches and songs
Mason and Hsaly, the original One-and a
Half, as they are called, are too we'll liket
abroad not to have met with hearty re
cepton i'll this cosmopolitan city.
| The coordination of SO many favorite5
land OF comedy could not but meet will
the well-merited success which it has dur
ing the entire week.
The full program will be presented a
+, the matinee performances es this Afternoon
and tomorrow.
! THE Milton Mobiles, in A Maj
of the People, will be seen at the matine'
| this afternoon. The admission to tn,