The times., 1901-03-15
JOSEF HQFMANN'S CONCERT.
4 Fashionable Audience Greets the
Polish Pianist at the National.

Polish Pianist at the National.
The music lovers of the Capital were
yesterday afternoon. at the National The
atre. given an opportunity of judging
whether Josef Hofmann has fulfilled the
predictions made by his host of admirers
when he first appeared in this country. in
1881. and again on the occasion of his
second concert tour of the United States
three years ago. When the Pole made
his initial bow to an American audience
it was as a musical prodigy. pure and
simple, and he gave every evidence of be-
coming another Franz LisZt, whose first
concerts came to the musical world much
in the nature of sensation. Like Liszt
young Hofmann possessed the technical
facility that was so rich in promise. on
his last visit here he showed such a de
cided Improvement and was so mature in
his reading that ne gave every reason for
the belief that he had developed into a
genuine pianoforte genius. He displayed
an intelligence and insight that were little
short of the marvellous.
In mis- concert yesterday the former phe-
nomenon proved that in all that is purely
musical and artistic he has fulfilled every
promise of his boyish days. He revealed
a splendid power and energy, and as
tone cOlorist, he demonstrated a marked
superiority. Even when he was first heard
here the young Pole showed himself the
master of a remarkably sweet quality of
tone and now, with his perfected art, he
presents more superb tone quality than
ever-a quality that but few pianists
boast of. That he possesses the loveliest
of singing tones and the power to bring
out a melody in the ciearest and most ef-
fective manner, was shown in the Chopin
selections. in which the young man was
especially satisfying.
Hofmann's performances We're raptu-
rously applauded throughout the long and
comprehensive programme. and while the
audience, at no time during the afternoon,
showed the same amount of appreciation
that it did at the conclusion of the Tam
hauser" overture. yet all the different
numbers were received with marked evil
dences of commendation.
Contrary to general belief, Hofmann's
personal appearance presents nothing cal
culated to enthuse an audience-and the
feminine portion in particular-to the idol
atrous degree of enthusiasm. The youth
that Washington music lovers first knew
has developed into an unattractive young
man, stockily built, and apparently phleg-
matte in emperament-almoStt the very
last person that would be selected as a
pianist OF unusual merit. Yesterdays
gathering was principally feminine In
composition, a modish aSSemblage, and
while of good size was nothing like what
would have greeted the Pole had not a
mistaken management demanded an al
most prOhibitiye charge for seats.
From the standpoint of the audience the
most appreciated composer represented
on the programme was Chopin. An inn
promptu, an etude and the senate with
the Funeral March We're tmpresSlVely
performed, and revealed more insight
than almost any of the other numbers.
Considerab BILE sorority and an admirable
clearness of phrasing characterized the
opening selection. the Zach prelude and
fuge in d major. Following a Beethoven
rondo and some exquisite Schubert
waltzes which Liszt has brought to-
gether very delightfully."- in his "SOiree de
Nienne," came Grieg's melancholy but
brilliant baIlade in G minor, which has
This was beautifully played and served
as a pleasing predecessor to 'Nenia, the
work of the Roman, Sgambatti, which.
with it's broad theme was well received
The ''Etincelles' of MOsZkowski served to
exhibit HOfmann's remarkable technical
achievements better, perhaps, than any
other piece he played. RubiGSteinS s Bar
carolle in F minor was performed bril-
liantly, and with a vast amount of skill
that bespoke the splendid training Hof-
mann has received from the famous com
poser, The concluding number. List 5
difficult orchestral version Of the Tam
hauser'' overture, raised the audience to
plause was uncommonIy prolonged, but
Withstanding the extraordinary
quest for an encore. Hofmann contented
himself with making d series of his funny
little bows.
The programme was as follows: