New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-04-29
MUSIC.
MP rosEFry's RECITAL.

Mr. Rafael JoserYy has had a hold on the New
York public such no other resident pianist
has ever exerted. and though his appearances
nowadays are few and far between, the announce
ment OF them Is to bring together large
audience OF expectant music-lovers. He gave his
first New-York concert OF the season on THURSDAY
evening in Carnegie Hail. and the hall was nled
with gathering OF unusual musical distinction tnat
greeted the pianist with many demonstrations Oh
hearty welcome when he first came on the stage
and found frequent occasion throughout his per-
Torrance to display enthusiastic approval OF bis
PLAYING The fact Is cheering one, Tor MI
JoseHy's art Is sound, sincere one, rooted deep
in genuine musical feeling and without the smallest
element Of meretricious display to capture unthnk-
ing applause. II is not all-inclusve art, ana
has In fact It's we-defned limitations; but within
them It is extremely beautiful and absolutely con-
vIncing-in certain particulars indeed, OF an all
compelling charm He gave IL scope on this occasion
In a programme quite removed from conventional
lines: one that seemed TO be composed 10 give the
artists own predictions free play, and not oound
as to It's beginning. middle and end TO comprise
a List arrangement Of organ fugue by Bach'
n sonata by Beethoven and a Hungarian rhapsody
by Liszt-a fact for which the audience was doubt
less truly thankful II contained two compositions
of rare interest to those who love pianoforte music
for it's own sake in Brahmss sonata In + minor and
Tschaikowsky's in G major, the latter a work
hardly known even by name to the majority OF
concert-goers.
In these two compositions and the two Inter-
mezxi of the former composer Mr. Joseffys ar
tlstc disclosures reached their height. His sym
pathy with the poetcal spirit and deep senti-
ment of Brahms has often before been mani
tested The sonata is one Of the most splendid ut
terances of Brahss earlier years and In the main
Mr. Joseny interpreted It with an eloauence that
matched the composers inspiration. There were
in the first movement certain inexplicaole dsJoint-
ngs and clippings Of phrase and Inequalities OF
rhythm that interfered with It's majestic sweep
and there could have been more elemental FORCE
IN the climax OF the last; but except for these
flaws II was a performance worthy OF the work.
and In the lovely andante and Its echo the inter-
mezzo of exquisite poetry. The same Is to be
said Of the two internezzi from Brahmss Op III
and 49, both we'll known through Mr.. Josenys
playing Of them. the first OF which especially,
heard at his hands. seems as perfect reflex and
recreation OF the composers mood as Is possible
In interpretative art.
The sonata by Tschaikowsky bears the hall mark
OF the Russian composers genius throughout. and
is eminenty characteristic in the nature OF It's
themes and their treatment. though these cannot
be said to be among the finest he produced. He
never reached his highest level In writing for the
pianoforte alone. The first movement seems the
most pregnant in Its thematic material and the
most impressive in its total effect there is much
beauty In the slow movement. The scherzo Is
unsteady the least important Of the four move
nents but under Mr.. Joseffy's hands II became a
gossamer web OF dazzling brlliancy. There Is
throughout something of that redundancy that
Tschaikowsky seemed never sure Of wholly elm
mating from his work but all in all 1t is a COM
position worthy Of more attention from musicians
and music-lovers than 1t has hitherto received. II
got full justice from Mr.. Joseffy.
The Chopin numbers formed the most important
part OF the remainder of the programme. They In
Guided the fourth Ballade. a masurka and the
Dol Mr. ~
interpreter OF Chopin we'll known; they call
into play some OF his highest qualities OF heart
and hand. and above all show forth In Its highest
beauty his tonal coorng. Its variety. beauty deli
cacy and warmth. They heard In a manner
that he has seldom surpassed.