The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1902-11-16

AN INTERESTING RECITAL AT
MENDELSSOHN HALL.
Pianist From France a. Home With
Classic and Romantic German Com.
pOsers-Mr. PugnO's Display Of Energy


A regular course Of procedure has been
established for pianiss First they must
appear with orchestra and play at least one
concerto, generally two. After that they
may give recitals; and when the truth is
told these are what most persons desire.
To hear the pianist without orchestra.
when the analytical powers are not over
taxed, and the ear has simple problem
before il, is a genuine pleasure to the ordi-
nary concert goer. who is perplexed by the
multitude of voices in a concerto.
Raoul Pugno, the distinguished French
piahist. having given the customary orr
chestral concert recently at Carnegie Hall,
came forward yesterday afternoon at
Mendelssohn Hall with his first recital.
He was honored by the attendance OF an
testified by appreciative applause TO its en-
joyment. II was an audience in which
musicians mingled with amateurs and paid
their respects to one Of the most interesting
opponents Of their art
IL was an invigorating recital. The
principal numbers were music of the most
spirited kind. Such music is admirably
suited to Mr. Pugno's temperament and
technic. He is not as happy in the muir
murings of visionary fancies as he is in the
buoyant proclamation of JOY or the puts
SAINT revelation of energetic emotion. Let
1t not be supposed for an instant that he
is without poetry or style. He has plenty,
but il is not of the retrospective school.
The sick men do not awake answering
chords in his nature. He clamors for the
fresh air, the sunlight, the wind-swept
meads and the fash OF salt spray. If he
goes into the moonlight, it must be the light
Of the full harvest moon, rot the paling
flame Of the last quarter
He began yesterday with the minor
prelude and fugue of Bach, which he played
with clearness and fuency. 1t was a sort
Of warming-up performance, and neither
the technical apparatus nor the inner man
had yet been set in full vibration. When
he came to the next number, Bach's Italian
concerto, he was in distinctly better form.
He was a trihe overambitious in the last
movement. which he played at an extraor-
binary tempo. 1t il IMPOSSIBLE for any
player to bring out clearly ell the notes
when going at such speed But the first
and second movements were exceliently
performed. and showed Mr. Pugnos nice
rhythmic sense and discern ent of the
proportions of phrases in warm light.
Beethoven's sonata, opus 81, commonly
called the Moonlight without the COM
yoser's sanction. he II remembered-was
his next number, and here lac let free the
treasures Of his tonal palette. He read
the composition with profound sympathy,
and, certainly so far as the final movement
was concerned. in pure Beethoven style.
The fine adjustment Of relations. so neces-
sary to classic playing, was not disturbed,
but there was a vigorous aggressive pas
sion, such as Beethoven himself was wont
to display at the piano.
Next came excerpts from Schumann's
"Phantasie Stu"ke"-Nos 1, 4 and Z. -Des
Attends" -Grillen" and -Ende vom Lied"
Here the pianist seemed to he still more in
his element, for he played with superb aban-
don. great variety Of expression and pro-
found sympathy. Especially in the second
number selected was he at home. He
played il in a manner to leave little to
be desired In Schumann's -Fasching-
schwartz" which followed he again showed
himself to be a lover Of the most subtle
Of all German composers for the piano. Pc
poured into his performance n wealth Of
vitality, coupled with clear understand
ing He sighted nothing and he demon
strated that Schumanns difficult rhythms
had their own significance.
other numbers on the lis, were an octurne
and a waltz Of Chopin, two Of those sweet
little things Of the pianst's' own compo-
si'ons which always delight the ladies.
G-ieg's "Au Printemps" and rhapsody by
List. Enough has been said. however,
to convince the music lover that recital
10y Mr. Pugno is an entertainment worthy
OF attention.