The Washington times., 1902-04-02
FINE PROGRAMME BY
THREE MUSICAL ARTISTS
Hofmann-Gerardy and Kries-
Ter Please Large Audience.
Mastery Work of the Triumvirate a
Rare Treat co the Lovers of
Good Music.

An audience of large proportions heart
the Hofmann- Gerardy- Kreisler eoncer
yesterday afternoon at the Columbi;
Theatre when these three eminent artist:
presented a programme of unusual excel
lence The local public has been unac-
customed to SO rare a treat as the join
appearance of three musicians who stant
practically at the head of their seyera
branches of the art, and each number
yesterday afternoon met with deserved
appreciation.
Two of the trio are not unknown here
Hofmann having played before the Wash
ington public several times this season
and Gerardy having made his local debut
some years ago Kriesler, however, was q
stranger until yesterday, when he capti-
waited the audience by his mastery play
ing. OF the three musicians Gerardy is
the only representative type. He wears
his hair long and assumes many of the
mannerisms characteristic of the musi-
clan, but Hofmann and Kriesler are very
modern, up-to-date looking young men,
who have nothing to recommend them as
unusual but their art, which, however,
makes up for any deficiency which they
may lack in the matter of long hair or
pronounced characteristics.
An Excellent Programme.
The programme yesterday afternoon
was all that the most eXacting musician
could demand. 1t opened with the trio for
piano, violin and cello in B major, Op.
%, of Rubenstein's, and this number in
itself was genuine treat. With an artist
like Hofmann at the piano and two others
of the Kriesler- -Gerardy type interpreting
the violin and cello score, it can easily
Re imagined that the trio was given in
superb style. They worked together like
one man, and each movement was played
with all the intelligence that could be
brought into requisition. In the allegro
moderate movement particularly they
were especially pleasing, playing it with
such precision. delicacy and artistic con-
ception that the audience burst into ap
plause before its conclusion. Hofmann
was the first soloist of the afternoon,
playing Mendelssohn's Variations Ser
ieuses'' with fine effect. He was forced to
respond repeatedly to enthusiastic ap-
plause. Gerardy is conceded by many to
be the worlds greatest 'cellist, and the
audience yesterday evidently appreciated
the great treat which was accorded them
in his appearance at the Columbia. for
they would not allow him to retire after
his delightful Interpretation of Boccher-
ini's andante and allegro. and he
graciously responded with a Bach aria.
Gerardy's tone is exquisite and he plays
with a smooth even touch that soothes
and satisfies.
kriesler will no longer be stranger to
the Washington music public. Before yes
terday he depended upon the press re-
ports which have preceded the concert for
any good will which might be shown him,
but after he had played the first move
ment of the Vieuxtemps concerto he had
won the undivided attention and sincere
admiration of his audience. For an encore
Kriesler gave a quaint selection entitled
Scene de CZarda." which compiled
myriads of brilliant runs and dainty
cadenzas and which called forth hearty
applause.
The entire concert was a distinct sue
cess and takes conspicuous place among
the other brilliant musical events of the
present season.
Society was largely represented in the
audience. Mrs. Townsend. Mrs. c. A. Will
liams. Mrs. Stilson Hutchins and Mrs.
Warder being among those who enter
tanned box parties for the afternoon.