New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-11-29

wear, ago He was known then ms the Irish Ros-
cus," and at eleven years Of age was wont 10 act
the star part in a drama. then play violin solo
and afterward conduct the orchestra Mr.. Hoffman
is announced his programme as Pupil Of Leo
pod de Meyer. his first appearance In America"
He played Thaloerg's fantasia on themes from La
Sonnamb Leopold de Meyers Introduction and
variations on a melody from "Semiramde." and
with Burke a Grand Duo Concertsnte" from will
lam Tel" composed by Osborne and De Beriot.
Others VINO took part in the concert were Nine.
Plco Miss Julia /. Northail (who as Mrs Bodsten,
died at the age OF seventy-three on June 49, 1880,
H. c. Tmm, orchestra under the direction OF
George Loder. and the German Liederkranz. under
the direction Of Jules Hecht. Before the month
was over Mr. Hoffman gave concert Of his own.
and played at a concert OF the philharmonic So
ciety.
Criticisms OF several Of those early efforts are
before US Among the reviewers OF musical affairs
who writing in New-York at the time were
Richard Grant white, james otis. G. A. Dana,
Henry c. Watson and Hiram Fuller. Mr.. Dana. we
believe, wrote for The Tribune AIr. Otis for The
Mall and Mr.. Watson, "A brother-ln-law OF George
Loder was Editor OF The American Musical
Times" From 1868 to 1867 he was the critic OF
The Tribune. It will be OF interest now TO see
what some OF these men thought OF the young Eng
fish lad, Hoffman. or his playing at the fhhhar-
monte concert. Mr.. otis wrote:
Mr. Richard Hoffman deserved richly me n,, f1m
lim 10 take part In the first concert OF the Ph-
harmonic for the season. and IN his admlraple
q Minor with full orchestraJ, rs wei as IN tnat OF
the variations upon airs in "Sonr1nOula. WniGCn
ne Introduced upon an encore, ne aDuIIianty
proved hts claims to such a distinction lie was
g%arnIy appIsuded and received mere than one
floral token OF appreciation az the hands, Oh tne
fair portion OF the audience. We were siau " Sc go
him there on this occasion, as IL gave MN al W
uortuulty OF stamping upon the minds OF some ~
our most discriminating JUDGES an usa ~ S ir1
genius and talent and we feel sure that me I'M
pression he made will be OF future advantage u
him.
NJ Mr. Uonman's own concert The Tribune said
Though Mr. Hoffman had not crowd the audi
.rcn vs. good one and seemed fully 10 apprecl-
90 hs Hne talents and the earnestness OF MS
paying We know no one VINO seeins 70 ~ az an
So yyi'si 4 connection with his instrument as Mr
Hoffman For the time being II - us Y,,,anea Wa
we're able 10 hear him last evening onIy IN a ran,
tasia by Prudent. II was peri ne ,I aui %
beauty and OF promise. though we eonIess we
could not but wish for the ABSORBED anu inoss pre-
bis talents than he is likely to ind IN ms coun-
NV America ~ good for the nccotpIIsHru lnasteI
* seaks a substantial harvest for the early years
n, labor and preparation: but II Is not SO good TOT
u "H,ruinc Student who needs the severe innu-
se 20 - nrnst models and a truly cultivated public
OF n concert given by Burke and Hoffman In
,s.s a writer In The Chronotype." who may have
ba.n the late John s. Dwight said:
To Mr. Hoffman listened With unalloyed de,
i,gh, thin pale, modest youth he seemed
scarcely 10 possess the strength Tor Pianist ana
nsv IL with DE Meyers force, although HIS music
grew In force continually. as II ey inspkatiSn ne
Yantasia on la 6onnambula' by IhaIpeeB ~
brought ont With consummats uuthfulnsm saa