The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-05-23
THE INSTRUMENTAL WORK.
Beethoven's Egmont, LISTS Concerto
and the American Fantasia.

ana the American Fantasia.
The quick appreciation of genuine art is
a stamp of genius SO it was with List
when he wrote his mastery essays on Wag-
merriam art or his analysis of Beethoven
'Egmont' music, concerning which he
says: In 'Egmont' we recognize one OF
the first illustrations of the modern period.
There great musician derived his in
spiration directly from the works of
great poet. When he composed these rag
ments he began to open up new gate for
art With mighty hand he fened the first
tree in this hitherto unknown forest The
world regarded this first step without par
ticular attention, but the time came when
art advanced upon this path and found 1t
Illuminated and laid out by him.
AS was to be expected, the performance
of this glorious overture was in every way
worthy and adequate Mr.. Van der Stucken
is decidedly modern in every tendency OF
his artistic nature. but nevertheless
thoroughly in accord with the classic. or
rather the transitional spirit of this great
overture, and gave it splendid interpreta-
ton.
Having listened to LISTS concerto, let us
near what estimation the artist hlmself
placed on his instrument, the piano In
mis- twenty-fifth year List writes to
l should give up my piano, which speaks
so much, it would be to me day OF
gloom, robbing me of the light which IL
Eliminates all my early life and has grown
to be inseparable from it. For, look you,
my piano is TO me what the vessel IS TO
the seaman, his horse is to the Arab.nay,
even more, till now it has been myself, my
speech, my life. L contide to it all my de-
sires my dreams my joys ana sorrows.
study and development of piano playing
until have accomplished whatever Is prac-
adays Perhaps the mysterious influences
which bind me 10 it so strongly prejudice
me- but l consider the piano as of great
consequence. In my estimation 1t holds the
first place IN the hierarchy of instruments
1t is the most enjoyable and the most COM
mon Of all. It's Importance and popularity
are due to the harmonious power Whlch IL
almost exclusively possesses, in con-
sequence of which it is also capable of COM
In the compass of it's seven octaves 1t in
cludes the entire scope of the orchestra,
and the ten fingers suffice for the harmony
which is produced by band OF hundred
performers Consequently, 1t IS to the or
chestral compositions what the steel en-
craving is to painting which it repeats over
and over and, though it lacks color, yet
it can exhibit light and shade"
That his playing made the deepest I'M
the poet Heine, in his ininitable style:
THAT such a restles SIS head driven ana per-
picked by all the needs and doctrines OF
his time, feeling the necessity OF troubhng
himself about all the necessities of humani-
ty and eagerly sticking his nose into all
the pots in which the good God breWs the
future, that Franz Liszt can be no slob
piano-forte player for tranquil town folks
and good-natured nightcaps is self-evident.
When he sits down at the piano and has
stroked his hair back over his forehead
several times and begins to improVlse ne
often storms away right madly over the
ivory keys, and there rings out wilderness
of heaven-high thoughts, amid which, mere
and there, the sweetest flowers dlffuSe thelr
fragrance, so that at once one Is troupIeQ
and beatified, but troubled most. l do not
know what he played, but could swear ne
varied upon themes of~the Apocalypse AT
fret
the four mystical beasts only heard
voices, especially the. roaring OF the non
and the screaming of the eagle. me OK
with the book in his 1hand saw clearly
enough. Best Of all he played the " alley o.
Jehosaphat. There We're lists at the TOUT
Die. pale as the gr,Ye and trembling,
crowded round the immense space. First
galloped Satan into the lists, in black mar
ness ness, on a milk-white steed. Slowly rode
behind him Death, his pale horse. At
last Christ appeared, in golden i arm nor on Ia
first thrust Satan to the ground, and then
Death, and the spectators shouted"
LISTS CONCERTO.
lasting impression was made by Mr..
Pierce's magnificent performance of the
Liszt concerto The brilliant reading Of
this great work of the Hungarian master
aroused great enthusiasm, and justly so. 1t
was not merely fautless rendition, but
one that will not easily be forgotten on ac-
N"-N~
depreciation.
Executive briliancy, combined with that
beautiful tone created by a deep emotional
feeling Joined to absolute technical mas
terry and broad Intellectual grasp-these
are the prominent characteristics OF our
young Vrtuoso
1t has been given to him to follow out
the most subtle moods of the composition,
and owing to the fact that he loses him
self so utterly in the rendition of the work
n nj leaves impression
improvising ather than following notes. Par
ticularly remarkable not only from a tech
nical, but an artistic standpoint, were two
long trillS which occurred twice in the con-
certo, and which in all the variations, from
the softest pianissimo to dazzling fortis-
simo never lost their beauty of tone or
pearling purity of performance. Inc or
chestra, under, the DIRECTION OF Mr., Michael
Brand, furnished a faithful and sympa-
thetic accompaniment
AMERICAN FANTASIA.
The American Fantasy, by Victor Her
bert made a fitting close to a brilliant pro-
gramme. 1t is a composition which goes
| straight to the heart of every American.
| In magnificent orchestral garments appear
| those melodies dear to the heart of every
| true American. Way Down on the Suwa-
nee River" in most exquisite setting was
| followed by perfect imitation of the drum
| corps in the tune of Dixie" which in it's
| turn gave way to the inspiring strains of
the 'Star-spangied Banner scored for the
| full orchestra. AS the glorious strains re-
sounded from the triumphant brass, the au-
dience broke into uncomfortable applause,
which soon quoted down, however, in or
der that no note might be lost. Mr.. Van
der Stucken showed exquisite taste in in
Producing this patriotic and splendid COM
position Immediately after the chtldrens
chorus. 1t came like an earnest of the flu
| ture faith and loyalty of an oncoming gen.
| GRAFTON to the deathless traditions of the
Land of the tree and the home of the
! brave RICHARD LIEBER.