The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1902-11-26
MR.. LAMONDS PIANO RECITAL.
Not Composed Of Beethoven Sonatas on
This Occasion.

Frederic I.amond the Scotch pianist.
gave his second recital yesterday after
noon at Mendelssohn Hall. II will be re-
called that his first consisted OF five Bee
thoven sonatas in a row. Mr.. Lamond
having gratficd his own artistic desires
by that delivery. yesterday endeavored
to please the less serious part Of the public
bv playing n miscellaneous programme,
such as is usually offered by pianists.
His numbers were all we'll known. They
were the Brahms variations on theme
by Handel, Beethoven's sonata. opus 81.
that which celebrates in touching accents
the departure, absence and return OF his
friend the Archduke Rudolph; Iiszt's
transcription of Schubert's Der Erl-
KONG" Chopin's G minor nocturi.e and
harmless. unnecessary waltz In q fiat ma or
valse pos, humous and accorded but two
lines in Mr. Huneker's exhaustive study
Of the composer-the Schubert-Tausig
-Marche Militaire." Schumsnn's great c
major fantasy. one of the SChubert-Liszt
.Soirees de Vienne. RI b!nstein barcarole.
and LISTS corruscating tarantclle on
themes from La Muette de Portici."
Mr.. Lamond performed his first number
to half empty auditorium. and that may
be the reason Why he played II aims III u
manner which would have given JOY TO that
masters dearest foe had he been present
He made the music dry and dusty. II was
Opaque in rhythms and morose in mood
Let il be forgotten. When il was ended
the hall received some scores more OF audi
tors and the next number was the Beethoven
sonata Here Mr.. Lamond was on his
chosen ground. He played the composition
with understanding and with musical in
sight. There can be 10 question that he Is
most scholarly interpreter OF Beethoven +
music yet he makes his nearer continually
onder how Beethoven would have liked
him. The first movement of the sonata was
exceptionally Well played. II was delivered
with more than Mr.. Lamond's wonted
variety Of touch and once or twice he alinO~t
played pianissmo, which is something he
does not seem TO care to do.
The absence of the cunt was not mourned
in melt ing accents, bat with discreet and
well-hred regret. while his return was ccle-
brat, d with JOY which al times caused
confusion to reign. The List translation
Of Schubert's marvellous vocal tragedy
for il ia most effective translate ion into The
language Of the piano-was begun with
due deliberati ion. "Wer reitet so 81
durch Nacht ind Wind" says the poem.
For "sya," in MIR Lamonds version r. az
tag" The speed of the ride increased
as the dangers Of the journey mutt ipll"d
but IL was a pretty tame ride for all that
There was little color and the Interpretation
and the accents Of tragedy held themselves
az a respectful dist ance
To one thing in the recital unqualified
praise can be given, and hat was TO the rich
and sustained catileua OF the middle par oi
the nocturne. When a man has the ability
10 play with 50 lovely singing tone. why
does he elect to do continually otherwise
This Is one OF the insouble mysteries OF
an art which l. crowded with puzzles and
contradictions and In which the persona
equation is apparently ineNplicable
Mr. Lamond showed a sympathy fol
Schumann in his PLAYING Of the fantasy
Indeed. II may be said in general Of thi,
pianist that he seems 10 have correct artistic
stincts, b,it 10 be devoid Of sound iudg
ment in his study and not armed with q
sufficient reserve Of technic "a enable hin
70 carry out fully hi- designs.