The Washington times., 1901-12-18
SOCIETY HEARS
YOUNG KUBELIK.
VlOLINIST CHARMS BIG AUDIENCE.
No scenes. However. of WASHINGTON
Women InduiEipg in Hero
Worship-s Brilliant
Concert.

There was nothing of the hero worship
about the large audience that attender
the Jan Kubelik concert at the Columbia
Theatre yesterday afternoon. None Of th
feminine portion of the gathering gav'
any evidence of a yearning to embrace
the violinist; there were no bouquets
hurled at his slight figure as he modestll
retired from the centre of the stage. anC
there were few enthusiastic calls o
Bravo without which no concert il
supposed 10 be a success. Yet lacking il
all of these traditional elements of a re-
ception TO a great artist, such as Kubelil
undoubtedly is. the concert of yesterday
was in every way success-an artist,
and financial success.
lt PndcrewsLt's Rival.
Kubelik came to Washington with q
reputation that WED with Paderewskis S
and he concluded his brilliant per
formance with that reputation in no wise
diminished. He completely captivated an
assemblage that was representative OF
washington's best musical and social
circles And when it was all over, the
theatre until the wonderful young fellow
had played one mere selection, and after
this request had been acoeded TO. the de-
lighted auditors still clamored for more,
but Kubelik refused second encore.
Striking Personal Appearance.
There was scarcely a seat unoccupied
in the Columbia when Kubelik came on
the stage. His slight. almost feminine,
appearance held out but little promise Of
the brilliant artist. He quickly stepped
forward with his instrument under his
arm and sweeping his expressive eyes
over the gathering calmly waited for the
audience to become seated, and until the
house was perfectly quiet and settled,
his fingers nervously oaressed the strings
while his bow remained unemployed. The
hrief period OF repose gave the assem-
biage an admirable opportunity to note
the peculiar personal appearance Of the
young virtuoso. What caught the eye
from the very first was the mass of long
intensely black hair that falling over his
ears, framed a face pallid ard not a bit
good looking, even 1t might be honestly
termed an uninteresting face. The Kube-
lik figure was garbed In a suit of black
with nothing TO relieve its sombreness
save gold watch chain and a small pin
fastened In the scarf. After the swish
ing of skirts and the rustling of pro-
grammes and the slamming of seat chairs
had ceased Kubelik turned to his ac-
companist and nodded. A moment later
he drew his bow across the strings OF
his violin and seemed to forget every
thing around him. as indeed everybody
else in the house did.
Master of King of Instruments.
That Kubelik is absolute master OF
the little stringed instrument was evil
dent long before he had concluded the
concerto in r sharp for violin. by Ernst
which had been selected to open the pro-
gramrne. His tone, the breadth. depth
and quality, is almost indescribable He
makes his violin sing and brings il nearer
TO the sound OF the human voice than one
could imagine possible. The tone is
liquid, pleading. passionate in the theme.
and IS held in perfect control during the
di'hcult variations in double notes, trills.
and harmonics. This opening selection
with Paganini's wonderful and intricate
Witches Dance" capitally displayed all
the force, technique, and musical intel
ligenee Of Herr Kubelik. In the Paganini
number, the variations to the well-known
theme were supplied in the most intri-
and chords. The violinist was distinc-
lively happy in this. and his marvellous
Interpretation brought forth a storm of
applause. He was forced to play two
eneores during the concert. One was that
dainty little slumber song by Pierne. play
ed delightfully."- with the violin muted and
the other, which followed his last mum
ber. was the familiar sextette from
'Lucia," which was undoubtedly tine most
popular success OF the afternoon. The
sexiette was given in it's entirety. theme,
varis lions, and accompaniment combined
into a symphony In addition TO these
numbers Herr Kubelik played spohr's
melodious andante and Bach's dainty and
brilliant prelude in E major with spen-
did effect.
Capable Assistants.
Herr Kubelis was assisted in his re-
cital by Jessie Shay. solo pianiste. and
Herr Rudolph Friml The latte cndered
valuable assistance by his fine reading OF
the accomplishments. Miss shay played
Ran's "Rigaudon." which displayed her
marvellous tet Unique TO ercelleni advan-
tage, and Moszkowskl's beautiful "Etin-
celles" For her concluding member she
gave Llszt's rhapsodie hongroise No. L.
in the lighter passages the pianiste was
very effective. Her execution was be-
yond criticism But in the heavier work
she lacked power and her work through
out Was quite void of individuality.
The German Ambassador occupied
lower box with a number OF friends. In
an opposite box we're Mr. and Mrs. Letter.
Miss Letter and Miss Daisy Letter.
capt and Mrs. i. +. Williams. who
have recently come TO Washington for
the winter. entertained a party OF young
people IN an upper box.
Others present were: The British Am
ba ssador and Lady Pauncefote, Mrs
crsckenthorpe. Mrs. Cabot Lodge. Mrs
Cushrnan X Davis Mrs.. Barney and Miss
Barney Mr.. and Mrs. Stilson Futchins. !
Miss Hay. Miss Alice Hay. the Misses
Boardman Mr.. and Mrs. Campbell Major |
and Mrs Wagner. Mrs. and Miss May.
Mrs. Page Morris. the Misses Morris Miss
Hin. Mr.. and Mrs. Leupp. Miss Roberts. /
Baron Herman the Secretary OF the Aus
trisn Legation and Nine Won Callen5crg.
VETERANS OF THREE WARS.