The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1902-03-30
Music and Drama
Coming Attractions for
Wichita Amusement Lovers
PADFRFWSKI

Mr. PADEREWSk
Needs 10 introduction 10 the American
public. Since his debut here IN 1881 he
has grown steadily in our regard until
his name has become q household word.
Popular as he is abroad, often he is ac-
claimed as the only successor Of Ruben
stein. the knowledge that he is today the
one artist who for years has been able
to retain the answering loyalty OF the
americans, constitutes TIE greatest OF his
many triumphs.
Every pianist who makes his debut n
America is open TO three phases in his
artistic experience: he confronts for the
first time. and they learn whether his tai
ent is vigorous enough and his technical
equipment adequate 10 command Z hear
ing. II these suffice, he IS able 10 make
a successful first season He returns,
and now those who heard him before be-
sin 70 ask themselves what impression
II his art remains in their minds. Were
his gifts significant TO their own mental
needs? What intellectual stimulus did he
give? What range Of emotions did be
express? His reputation as e virtuoso re-
mains as a source Of attraction. but an
other element begins to control the re-
suit. II the verdict be Il have heard
MIN, he IS great, but know what he can
do" the virtuoso soon retires 10 a more
congenial sphere. If. on the contrary, the
meeting Of the artist and his public with
the piano as a medium OF intercourse.
left an impression OF keen enjoyment
aside from that OF surprised and graft
fed curiosity, the artist has won per-
manent hearing.
Many artists are interesting. intellec-
tual. surprising, stimulating and sgreea-
bic. All these have their public But
now and then-once in a century-a man
appears who can interpret the keenest
hottest feelings Of our own personal ex-
perience. a man who can put into music
and utter for us what we have no words
TO speak for ourselves. who knows how
we feel. feels with Us. and in the presence
Of whose music we experience inward
peace and refinement. For US. that man
is Paderewsk.
Thus far Mr.. Paderewskf and his Amer
lean public have entered upon the third
and lasting phase OF the artistic relation
He was heard; he was enjoyed; and now
We cannot hear him enough-because he
fulhlls the highest ministry of music IN
mis- relation TO US. His message is hui
man, wise and comforting. He does US
good.
Foreign press notices of Mr.. Paderews-
kTs concerts are filed with the details Of
his amazing virtuosity, which increases
year by year; OF the nobility OF his emo
tional range; OF his culture. good breed
ing and social prestige. But every critic
makes the same observation-disclosures is
something besides all this. a power pecu-
liar to the man himself, an Orphic utter
snoe that is Ineligible 10 all and that
draws all men TO him To be intelli-
gible TO all natures and to draw them to
ones self is the property or inspiration.
America has always been peculiarly sen
sitive to genius OF this type Her great
orators and preachers, Beecher. Emerson
and Brooks; her great poets, Lowell and
Lonefellow; her great actors, Booth and
jefferson; her great sculptor St Gaudens. /
have been greatest in its possession. And
Paderewsh is pnanifesting It IN the full
est measure. has shown himself our kins-
man.
He comes back to us then as our friend,
our old and valued friend. Has ne chang
ed? has he grown? What has he done
and felt in his absence-
We know the details Of his career. He /
has written an opera. and in the writ
ing must have deepened and intensified
his Interpretation Of all music, He has
known success and joy. He has passed
through suffering. We shall hear all this I
in his playing; and We know that what
ever may be the secrets OF emotion that
his art viii tell. we shall now. as always
feel as he feels in sorrow and in JOY.