New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-04-04
MUSIC.
A DAY OF CONCERTS.

There were three occurrences IN the local world
OF music yesterday which merited critical atten-
tfon two of first class Importance and Of
auiabIe character which il would be agreeable
to write 6bout some length II circumstances
had been such TO make it practicable. The first
two were . pianoforte recital BY Ernst
Dohn4nyi and the second Of Ernst Won Schuch's
concerts at the Metropolitan Opera House the last
was the debut of a young pianist named Miss Julie
Geyer who Introduced herself under dignihed cir
curustances IN the evening at Merdelssohn Hail
For the studious observer of musical affairs IN
rerest centred chiefly in Herr DOhnanyfs recital
The young had made hns Impression nearly
a fortnight before at a concert OF the Boston 81 m
phony Orchestra. He had left that impression I'M
spoiled by maintaining the modest bearing
after his that he had displayed ON his first
appearance There blatant blowing OF ad-
vertising trombones because he had sufficiently
the attention Of the public 70 warrant the CIV
ing OF a couple of recftats and in consequence he
was heard with a peculiar sympathy and interest
He would have challenged them however, under
any circumstances. for he is extraordinary
young artist virtuoso in the ordinary sense be Is
On the contrary. there is something about MS
conduct at the pianeforte which conveys the IN
preston that his soul Is filed with profound con-
tempt for some of the elements of virtuosoship
He aecompIishes wonderful technical achievements.
but seemingly is in utter oblivion of the fact In
his playing there is the slightest str:v
ing after any effect except the legitimate
musical one which lay IN the mind OF the
composer when he He is even careless Of
many things which he might cultivate without
detriment to the devotional attitude which he oc-
cupies toward the composer such as tonal charm.
He does not 10 for the pianOfOrte except
necessary medium for the utterance of the
composers ideas. He does not exploit il as work
of art, but neither does he abuse f. Under his
hands its voice is normal; he does try to force
il be cvclonic nor wheedle it to murmur like a
zephyr. Music is 70 him. and he gives it out
saneiy. His readings of the variations by Brahms
a theme by Handel Kaleidoscope in
riety of expression, but not OF color, because of
his Indifference to what is vulgariy called plan
ism" Yet his tone is always full Of health and
nobility, like his readings Il Is the musician that
speaks in DOhnanyt and the language which he
employs is fascinating. II Is assumed that The
Tribune's readers know what his programme was
and will know how apply estimate of his
work in general to its details
Herr Hofrath Schuch's first appearance as a
conductor proved to those who able judge
that his reputation had been honestly earned and
was richly deserved On Sunday night he WIS
forced into position which was not credtable TO
him and scarcely honorable to the managene OF
the metropolitan concerts. Last night his sur
roundings more worthy Of the occasion. and
again he the admiration OF hundreds of music
levers wholly capable of appreca ting what he Of
fered them. In spite of the fact that the bulk
Of his orchestra IL e. the entire Metropolitan con-
tingsnt) was tagged out with work, he succeeded
In stirring up enthusiasm that demanded a repe
titon of the Weingartusr transcription OF Weber )
Invitation to the Dance" ard in winning deeper
and loveiier. If less noisy. tributes for a pro-
foundy impressive Interpretation of the prelude
to "ParsifaI' There was less distinction and
also less eloquence in the performance of the
third "Ieonore'' overture, but Wagners Kaiser
marsch" was given with superb spirit Mime. Sem
brich. having been called on for additional work
at the opera on Monday. did rot sing. but Elrne.
SchUma -Heink and NJ Plancon both added 70 the
laurels they have hitherto garnered The former
gave two songs in response TO recalls after Schu-
bert's '.AlImachI'' Cfor which Louis Y. Saar had
provided a effective orchestral accompani-
menD; they were Schuhert's An die Musk and
Brahms's VIE bist du, meme k6uigin?" NJ.
Planeon also a recall with his air from
'Freischtitz" and supplemented II with the ia
Hillar bass song from Haydns Seasons
Miss Geyer, who had Miss Elsa Ruegger. the
Swiss violoncelist, and Mr.. Gustave DaHnreuther
10 help her in programme which began with
Rubtnsteins nat Trio. is a pianist OF good
training, fine taste and admirable Instincts