The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-12-11
PHILHARMONIC CONCERT.
An Excellent Programme Eroellently Rendered
-0eidl,s Lendership.

-9eidi's Leadership.
Yesterdays concert of the Philharmonic So
ciety was n most agreeable occasion, and en-
joyed by an audience that filed Carne-
gle Hall. There seemed but one drawback
to absolute pleasure In this entertainment,
the same that frequently occurs in this hall.
We mean insufficient ventilation. The fact
has been seriously complained Of lately and was
never moro noticeable than yesterday. Not oil
the airs played by nil the Instruments compen.
safe In the least degree for the woful lack of
oxygen felt painfully by every lung when Car
negie Is crowded with people.
Three long numbers presented upon tho pro-
gramme occupied two hours In their perform
ance. These were Boethoyen's "Eroica SYM
phony, which has probably been oftener played
here than any other; Grieg's beautiful piano
concerto. and excerpts from "Siegfried" and
d G6tterdammerung."
Tho Beethoven. though by no means flawless-
ly played nor ideal in expression. was evl.
IDENTIFY accepted thankfully by hundreds Of
listeners. Most persons still accept this
great composer as tho one who speaks
most mellifuously the most noble truths,
and who stands as a model OF all that is both
correct and grand. Some. however. chafe under
his rigid form and didactic phrases. find him
formal. cold, and unpliable, and remain I'M
moved by even his most elaborate or most IA
miliar utternnces. 1t might almostb be imagined
tuhl vi SCi'ii Jul L VII III lhIIeTC lHb9,
Judging from his interpretations OF Beethoven.
He approaches him with apparently moro timld.
ity than reverence, leading his music more eau
tiously and carefully than with elan or con
nmorc. How different is he when he
He even stands straighter there. he wakes
up to new vigor. and the rush and stream
and torrent OF sound Rush forth from his
orchestra with splendid freedom and i'm.
pctuosity. In yesterdays concert there was
DDS, of orchestration used by tho old and the
mo1ern composer. In Wagner's score there
seemed to be twice as many players. and an in
hnitely greater variety Of sounds and tone colors
brilliant concerto. played by NJ. Pugno with
inc solidity, mature Judgment and finished
technique of an artist who deservedly ranks
first and foremost in his profession. II
Pugno's renderings the needs Of tho .composel
and the composition are attended to before al
else--after that ono is at liberty to admire tho
facilo technique brought to the Interpretation
or The piece. ,PuRno has IA way Of making hit
audience feel exceedingly comfortable. Sat
isfaction, peace. and reposc are all expert
ancos. These gentle emotions are not induced b,
any especial calm or quiet in. his PLAYING. for M
pianist ever worked climaxes up to u higher
pitch OF fortissimo fury than Pugno doesSbu
takes both physically and intellectually gives
certain sense OF luxurious ease to those wit
listen to him.
Gricg is a wonderful landscape painter. II
his music there are fresh air and sunshine ant
height and distance and the very breaths an,
whisperings of nature. OF emotions, excep
those that arise from contemplation and enjoy
ment of the created world. there are but few t
be found In his music.
The concerto was most enthusiastically ap
encore, which he did with Chopin's e fiat polo
naise.