New-York tribune., 1896-12-09
YESTERDAYS Music.

Martnus Sieveking probably caused many peO-
pie in Carnegie Hall yesterday afternoon 70 wonder
how he had attained the reputation he brought here
as a pianist Of fine parts and ability He claimed a
hearing at his first recital in NewYork upon lofty
plane Of musicianship with programme the salts
factory performance OF which would have been a
certificate OF artistic powers of high order: but his
playing did not disclose qualities that will engage the
attention of this public very seriously. He has
strength Of an athletic order: but no has neither
ripened taste penetrating insight. OF musical
feeling and refined and sensitive artistic instinct the
traces that he gave few and far between. His
touch IL hard and his tone rather cooress: and his
chief reliance for effect Is series OF violent and
unmean.ng contrasts in dynanics. These things
are. none Of them. qualifications for the playing Of
Chopin. and the five Chopin numbers that he in
cluded In his programme were. therefore, among the
least satisfactory items OF his afternoons work so far
Vas he from grasplg their poetry and exaiation OF
mood Indeed his playing OF the gracious little eiude
op. TO- No. 3. hardly less than astonishing so
heavy-handed and iron bound was it; like nothing
else 50 much as breaking the butterfly on the wheel
More praise may be accorded 10 his performance OF
Schumann's major Fantaisie. the first movement
OF which had certain rugged vigor; but even here
the note 0. passion and romance was too often
wanting, and Mr.. Sievekngs lack OF well-devei-
oped sense OF rhythm frequently robbed the music
OF some of Its significant quality. He played
beethoven sonata. op. q. No. 2. to open his con-
cert WITH but ne did not sound its depths Of feeling
and marred the effect Of Il, continually by his ex-
posiye methods
The sme hall was occupied in the evening by
broh'siaw Huberman. the little Polish violnist, who
gave MS second recital Nothing seems 10 daunt him
IN 'he way Of difficulty. lie undertakes the most ex-
acting works in the modern repertory without trepi-
dat!on; and II he does not Invariably emerge abso-
iu'eiy victorious. his achievements are always snch
ss 70 challenge admiration on many accounts lie IL
no longer put forward the greatest living voiihist
anu mat fact Will lessen the interest taken III
MIN by the musical public. Last evening he again
'no"ed his precocious attanments by the character
OF his performance Of Goldmarks violin concerto. one
OF the longest mos, difficult and involved compost
tohs OF lis kind. Only consummate master IN the
nsner regions Of violin technic can hope TO present
'ns work as a coherent and consistent whole ana
'nen. II may be added, only with the background or
orchestral color. Master Huberman played 1t with
amazing confidence and fuency and at times with
extraordinary briancy and, while it cannot be said
mat he entirely master OF the technical prop
sns presents what ne accomplished In tnis drece
1n was sufficient 10 stamp him as the posscssor oi
cause revealing some OF his immauritics in an un-
nsni Of the slow movement from chopin's minor
Esnolorte concerto. Here his cantabiie was nia'.u
! restless and meaningless mannerisms. i,1' ~, ~
ssnlpensate for this the haunting beauty OF his
was displayed in its best estate AZ, ,,.,
sssser Huberman had the assistance or MISS MI
s.N sN Ruth Heyman. young pianist who shows evi, ,,
uesess of and talent. but whose work has siill
'fntlul place the New-York concert stage -,
IN the Chamber Music Room OF the Carnegie Buiiu.
aG evening string quartet inade its nist
S ior public favor in the present overcrowdeh inu
80 season, and heard with appreciation ana
ympathy by an audience Of good size. The quartet
r.so so by Mr.. Franz p. Kal;enborn. well-kno"n as
ssIoeht vionst OF excellent atainments, the other
mmssmbers being Carl Wndrath Erns; Bauer and Her
tssnh tnh beyer-Hane. They essayed no very severe n
.s ssn al their first concert giving quartet OF MO-
p.ts In ID major and the first work In this form by
,nsvstnoven op. 49, No. !. Their playing showed IN
s.nsence and sincerity: they have fine and homo
stsneous tone. and their future work Will doubtless
sw snow gain in finish and refinement They were
vs",ed by Mr.. Ross Jungnickel, who played WIN
IT. IT Beyer-Hane Griegs sonata for planoforte and