The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1896-04-02
\ GREAT VIoLINIST.
Ondricek Captures His Audience at the
seattle Theafer.

more thoroughly appreciative. and IN
fact enthusiastic audience never occupied
the Seattle theatsr than that which listen
ed last evening 70 the playing of Ondricek,
the court violinist to the emperor of Aus
tria. Yet II Is hard 10 understand why
there should have been so many vacant
chairs. II the concert had been a minstrel
show the chances are that there would
have been standing room only" II was
a pleasure TO note. however. that the real
" music loving people Of the city were
present, and made up. by a spontaneous
welcome. as much as possible for the lack
OF attendance.
The great yiolinist was assisted by Nine.
Amelia Materna. who was proclaimed at
one time by Wagner himself to be the
greatest dramatic prima donna. and by
Isadore Luckstone the pianist.
There IS no question that Ondricek is
the greatest violinist that ever visited Sc
attic. and while II cannot be said that he
is the greatest In the world, yet II would
be equally bod 10 say that there were 9TH
ers who are better. Ondrscek combines
ali the qualities that go to make a grand
master of an art He can make the yio-
lin sing. throb with life. be merry; or. on
the other hand, he can make II weep and
wall or become terrible. His tones are
large. full and as clear as lifnpid water. II
makes no difference with him where the
he VIII touch it with lust that nicely that
marks the master Of details. There is not
a flaw In anything he does. The ear may
be strained to the highest tension. but On
dr!cek Will play on. and the listener Will
be forced TO confess that his technique is
perfect. Especial mention should be
made of his octave playing. and porto
meuto. His intonation Is at all times thor
oughly pure. his triiling marvellous. Il
IS treat to watch his bowling. He plays
al all times with great feeling. and IL Is
but fair TO add that ne Is assisted by
wonderful Guarrarinus violin.
Perhaps Ondricek was heard 10 best adj
vantage last evening. taking all things
into consideration, in Ernsts Concerto
Pathetique." for II Is a number that calls
upon an artist to display his technique.
He had played only a few measures before
the audience was in fun sympathy with
him and listened eagerly for every note.
When he played sustained note and
then slurred a third or fifth and finished
the phrase with a run. the action OF the
music could be traced upon faces IN the
audience The applause at the end was
something wonderful. emphasizing true
admiration Cor a great artist. AS an en-
core he played Schumanns Evening
Song" His second number on the pro-
gramme was n barcarole and fan;asie.
each written by himself. The audience
insisted OF his playing again, and finally
after he had bowed about six times he
gave way ana rendered '-Serenata Nsapol-
itai1e." by Sgambail. His third number
was The Witches Dance" by Paganiui.
The audience simply went wild. and ap-
pleuded and applsuied. It seemed as II
they could not let him go. for the way he
played double and single harmonics was n
revelation Finally, after Ondricek had
appeared from the left wing six CT seven
times and in his precise manner bowed.
turned quickly about and marched on the
stage. he capituiated once more and
played ''CAvarna." by Raft. This seiec-
't3u showed him at his best in sustained
noies.
IN personal appearance Ondrlcek would
attract attention anywhere. He Is a tribe
oFH- medium he'll ht. and inclined 20 he
thick-set HIS head IS capped with a mass
Of dark hair that iops over and nearly con-
ceAis his ears There Is slight show Of
a par; near the middle. but in the general
chry san-henum appearance IL disappears.
So'nerues O1drcek Smiles. he II always
seif-posseSsed. ard one Is inclined 20 think
NJ might b sarcastic.
NaternA vas well received and for an
encore she sar- The Nesseager'' by
1ericke, wso usei to ne conductor o. the
Boston symphony Orchestra Although
A'ti@ fsli- could BE found with her excel
tea las. n!sht IL e not uniwsf 70 say that
th@ suppor; % 4 large orchestra or 4 larger
Aah would have given her powerful so
prArrs \ better settiag
IL rksrene was harperei hy A. Ordinary
upright piano II he had had a concert
grand he n gat hsye done himself Justice.
As a. areoTnp4nlst he was splendid Good
aocouslis -is,s are aot common tfe played
- an er-o7e a ~Bagatelle. composed By