The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-03-09
THE LEIPsIC ORCHESTRA.
4 MeaGre House Wakes Enthusinsti,
over an Excellent Concert.

The Leipsic Philharmonic Orchestra,
Unuer the direction of Hans Winderstein,
must have felt Il pang Of regret at having
Travelled many thousands OF miles for the
purpose of playing before American audi
ences and attracting but a handful OF
people in the Capital of this great coun-
try. Yet il the assemblage at the National
Theatre yesterday was miserably small,
1t more than made up for the deficiency
by giving the musicians one of the most
cordial receptions they will encounter
during their brief tour of the United
States.
The programme was not a notable one
In any way and presented but a single
feature that may he called interesting. an
unfinished symphony of Schubert. The
introduction and finale from Tristan and
Isolde and the "Tannhauser' overture
are familiar to patrons of orchestral con-
certs, the latter in particular being a
hackneyed composition that did not de-
serve a place on the programme, and the
selection played by Slivinski the soloist
of the afternoon, a TchaikoWsky concerto,
possessed no novelty to the musicians of
this city. Hence the orchestral work in
the symphony alone attracted much at
tention. Herr Winderstein presides over
a body of energetic and, for the most
part. young men. He directs them with
considerable authority, and they follow
him with precision and an unusual
amount of spirit His reading of the
symphonic number was virile and at
times brilliant, and the general effect
upon the audience was distinctly success
fuI
1t has been almost nine years since
SliVinski visited America on concert
tour and during the interim he has fol-
lowed the fashion set by Paderewski and
became a disciple of the football hair
tyne of musicians. He has improved in
his playing to marked degree, and his
altered appearance was speedily forgot
ten after the surprise of his first appear
ancc. AS a matter OF fact Slivinski was
the principal attraction of the concert,
his playing so far SURPRISING the work
of the orchestra that instead of being
the centre Of interest they Were of but
secondary Importance to the Polish
pianist.
Slivinski has a definite personality,
complete technique, certain originality
of thought plenty Of the quality that is
termed temperament. But with all these.
he may be said in all truth TO be lacking
in other requirements that must be pos
sessed to make the really great artist.
His art Is not compelling; he does not
conquer; he does not always persuade,
and there are certain moments when he
absolutely displeases. He gets through
his octave work with a good deal of bril-
liancy and efficiency and with a remark
ably rich tone. His sentiment partakes
largely of the feminine element, and
often verges onto seutimentality. The
skeleton of the work was made very
clear as If a Roentgen ray had been
thrown upon II. but much of its great
beauty was lost through a lack of va
riety In treatment of the various parts.
But with all his technical deficiencies,
Slivinski proved TO be the best and most
interesting pianist that has come to
Washington this season. and his recep-
ton was indeed most fiattering.