The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-10-29
THE ZOCH RECITAL

Harlow Gale, in the little note which
he appended to the leaf1et containing the
Zoch program given last evening at the
Unitarian church. says: For such cour-
ability and consciousness with which
he brings high ideals to realization, all
friends of the best music and highest
aesthetic life owe inexpressib1e gratitude
The tribute is one which Mr.. Zoch richly
deserves. =,
The church was we'll filed by serious
and intellectually musical audience to
hear whole evening Of Brahms. The
concert recital lasted continually from
o'clock until nearly 10, and could not
fail to be strain upon the earnest listen
er, as well as upon the mastery must
clan who prepared and committed to
memory such a mass Of composition, in
addition to going through the prodigious
task of making it technically presentable.
Brahms has long been a favorite with
the musician student, 1.-The Browning Of
music" indeed. His works abound in the
widest divergences. He seeks to realize
a mental picture, and produces that eff
feet by musical means. If not at hand.
he invents the necessary treatment Of the
idea,~> and invariably secures the result
desired This Is true whether writing
sonata in correct musical form, compos-
ing a rhapsody with all its abandon of
musical form, inditfng song that shall
waltzes, or displaying his marvellous mu-
steal equipment, as in the "Paganin1'
variations.
The program opened with his SONATA,
opus g." written, like Bryants "Thana-
topsis, while the musician was yet In his
teens. His famous "Scherzo, opus A.
which, although written prior to the soma
ia, is yet classed with the greatest of
musical works. was also, played. A num-
Der of movements from his "Intermezzo"
were interspersed with the "Sixteen
Waltzes." A Rhapsody" opus 49,, No.
2, was also included, and the program
closed with the "Twenty eight Variations
on the Theme by Paganini'
OF Mr. Zoch and his Interpretation of
Brahms it is a little difficult to speak.
The greatest marvel, and one which cam
not be lost sight of, is the tremendous
energy and ability of the man who would
undertake to prepare, memorize and rem
der acceptably such a program, embra-
cling not only the lesser works Of the
great composer, but the Variations" as
we'll, by common consent recognized as
the most difficult of all written music to
play.
Mr.. zoch's playing was characterized
by unusually clear conceptions and inter-
pretations. His technique was in the
main most admirable, although at times
scarcely as good as it Is wont to be. His
staccato are at times almost explosive,
and leave the mind of the listener in
state of wonder that a note could be shot,
to borrow a metaphor, with such Incl
siveness. This may not, however, be a
fault, but rather source of praise, since
the great Brahms himself was a player
characterized by just such precfcion.
The Songs might, perhaps, have been
rendered with a little more of that sing
ing legato which appeals to the sensibili-
ties with so much effect. Altogether, the
evening was a most memorable one, the
repetition of which would be welcomed
by many of those who were there last
evening. -Boardman.