The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-12-16
RAOUL PUGN0 PLEASES
THE GREAT PIANIST HEARD At THE
GERMAN HOUSE.
Brought to This City by the Phil
harmonic CIub-OutIine of "Caval-
Ieria Rusticana."

The piano has always been regarded,
even by those musicians whose names have
been most closely associated with it, the
most unresponsive of all musical instru-
ments, but when such an absolute master
of the keyboard as Raoul Pugno is heard
in programme of piano numbers, there is
little likelihood that even the most critical
Of music-lovers, or the least interested OF
laymen, will detract from the complete en-
joyment of the event by drawing COMPARE
sons between the music of the piano-forte
and the music of the more sympathetic
string instruments.
NJ. Pugno appeared for the first time be-
fore an Indianapolis audience last night,
giving a superb recital at the German
House, under the auspices of the Philhar-
monte Club, and those that allowed the
inclement weather or their Indifference to
piano music to keep them away missed one
of the real musical treats not only of this,
but of many seasons in this city. No one
possessing love for music could have at
tended last nights concert without hav-
ing found something in it to enjoy, while
to the student of music the entire pro-
gramme was one to be thankful for. In
the first place Pugno is an interesting man;
oso, blind to all else in life save his own
artistic temperament. and burdened with
endless affectations. Here is a great plan
list at last that is perfectly sane, and at
the same time one that can play POLITICALLY
and with exquisite sentiment when the oc-
casion demands, as well as theoretically
and forcibly. Big in stature, big-bearded,
essentially masculine in everything, he I'M
presses all as one of the real giants OF
the keyboard.
into four parts, and the recital was one OF
wondrous novelty. 1t contained works that
are seldom heard in this city, together with
several numbers that are familiar, tnougn
none the less welcome. to most students or
the piano. The large auditorium at the
German House was comfortably hlled, ana
from the rapt interest which was apparent
throughout the evening, and the many out
bursts of genuine enthusiasm, 1t was EVIL
dent that the audience was thoroughly APP
preciative of the splendid programme and
its famous interpreter. The opening num-
Der was Bach's Prelude ct Fugue In. +
minor, and in this and the following selec-
ton, the Gavotte Variee G major, of Han
DEL the pianist displayed a technical equip
ment that was remarkable, his fingers fly
ing the keys with lightning speed,
while the melodies seemed to fairly ripple
from his magic hands. Scarlattis senate,
A major, played in faultless style, and
| Beethoven's grand composition in three
movements, Senate OPP. q in G. sharp ma
II,
dered before in Indianapolis, the beautiful
| finale of the third movement having Won
! derful orchestral effect, blazing and singing
throughout the hall as If coming from
| great orchestra of string and reed instru-
| ments instead of the keyboard of white and
black worries answering to the touch or one
man.
Pugnos second period at the piano was
| devoted entirely to a mastery interpreta-
| tion of Schumann's "Faschingsschwank aus
Wein." OPP. Pa work that seems to exhaust
| the possibilities of the instrument. His
playing of this tremendous composition,
| with its varying lights and shades and its
| portrayal of many emotions, was reveal
| tion of the amazing range OF the Vlrtuoso
| interpretative art. -Four of Chopins works
| were given during the third period OF the
programme-the ever beautiful llocturne, in
| + sharp major; valse, A fiat major; scherZo,
| B fiat minor, and polonaise, Op z, h nat
| ctal was the most interesting of all. Upon
| his final appearance the pianist gave Web
| er's Rondo Brilliant, E fat major; one of
| Grieg's charming compositions, "Au Pr1n-
| temps" a work of his OWN composition en-
titled "Serenade a la Lune." which was so
| we'll liked by his hearers that he repeated
| IL, and, as fitting ending TO the splendld
/ programme, LISTS Rhapsodie No. ii, which
| manner.
The Philharmonic Club was on the even
| ing's programme for two numbers-Foote s
"Bedouin Love Song" and a concerted ar
! rangement of Pasche's silent Recollec-
tons" The chorus of mems voices. under
| the able direction of Edward Nell, was
| heard to much advantage in both selec-
tons, but 1t was in the encore number not
song Thou Are So Like Flower'-that
the club was at its best. The concert, from
| beginning to end, was a distinct success,
and the Philharmonic Club is deserving of
the thanks of the music lovers of Indianap-
oils for bringing the celebrated pianist 10
this city.