The daily morning journal and courier., 1902-02-05
THE PADFRt IPSKf RECJTA Y.

The first in the series of concerts to be given in America this season by the great pianist lgnatz Paderewski was assigned to New Haven and took place in the Hyperion theater last evening. MT. Paderewsd appears to us in the three-fold capacity of conductor, com poser and concert artist. One of the chief reasons for his coming to this country at this time is to conduct his new opera 'Manru," which is to be g'v- en in New York in the near future, The music to this opera is said to be very original and displays an Individuality differing decidedly from anything the 1 great Polish pianist has yet composed. It has been received in Europe with l the highest terms of commendation, and musicians here are anXiously awaiting | it's first American production. As a ! concert artist he comes to us fresh ! from a most triumphant tour through the center of musical criticism and mu- s'cianly thought and appreciation, Aus | tria and Poland The Vienna papers are loud in his praise. One says he is an artist apart from all others and an- other calls him an ideal Chopin. If
  such things as these, what is left for the New Haven reviewer to say? Noth- ing but repetit'on.
 The fact that MT. Paderewski selected New Haven for his first appearance this season is a token of his appreciation of the cordial and enthusiastic receptions he has received heretofore. Last even- ing was no exception, for IS he appear ed upon the Hyperion platform he was greeted with an overwhelming outburst of applause from the large audience assembled there to do honor and re- ceive instruction from the worlds greatest living pianist The programme was most excellently chosen, presenting variety and being of wide range and scope, containing compost 'ons extend- ing from Beethoven to Liszt and con- taining compositions by five of the best composers for the pianoforte
 In his opening number, the Beethoven Sonata. Op. 5, tPaderewski at once i'm pressed his hearers with his wonderful development It can no longer be said that he is weak In his conception of the works of this great German composer, In marked contrast to the more vigor- GUS Beethoven number was the delicate Minor Theme and Variations by Haydn In this number all the lionine spirit shown in the previous number disappeared and we were entranced with the marvellous beauty of his dain- ty technique Those who remember his previous playing of the Schumann Car naval were aware of a much broader and more matured musicianly inter- | pretation. At no time did he allow his | wonderful technical ability to axa gger- ate his tempt All eXpectantly awaited his Chopin group and after hearing the five well chosen numbers we are led to believe that there is but one living pianist who can vie with Paderewski as an exponent of 'poet of the piano." The artist literally sang the beautiful c Minor Nocturne, too seldom heard. Chopin established the tempo rubato, without which h's walses and mazurkas are meaningless. Paderewski's play ing of the walses never fails to capti vate his audience and Opus 42 as heard last evening was no exception. The F sharp minor Polonaise, composed by Chopin. after hearing of the taking of Warsaw by the Russians, received, at . the hands of this gifted Polish pianist, a tremendous outpouring of his national emotion.
 The Liszt numbers were simply dis play of his remarkable virtuosity, in which he stands unequalled. The La Campanella aroused such enthusiasm that the artist was obliged to respond to the repeated encores and played a Liszt Hungarian Rhapsod'e.
 He held his audience spellbound, and the concert will go down in the mem- nry of New Haven as one of the most wonderful piano recitals ever given here.
 If Paderewsl1i continues in the good form which he displayed last evening the American people may expect rev. elation in the art of piano playing.
 NT