The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-03-27
MISS RUEGGER'S RECITAL
YOUNG vIRTUOSO TOUCHES 'CELLO
WITH A RARE HAND.
Large Audience mt German House
keenly Enjoys Her PIaying-Mme.
Roger-MiclOs Coming.

The violoncello is the most responsive of
musical instruments and yet there are COM
paratively few 'cellists now before the
American public. Elsa Ruegger, the young
Belgian virtuoso. is surely TO be classed
among the very best of cello players in
the world and her recital last night at
the German House was a musical treat
in more ways than one. In the first place
the concert was the only one given in this
city in recent years in which the pro-
gramme was made UP entirely of cello
numbers, and the event was in conse-
quence one of considerable novelty to music
lovers of Indianapolis. Miss Ruegger
doubly deserved the extraordinary success
she made-firstly, because she played music
of the very finest kind, and, secondly, on
account of the supremely artistic way in
which she interpreted every number on
her programme. The audience was of
gratifying dimensions and a more enthusi-
astic gathering of music lovers has not
been seen in this city in some time. Miss
Ruegger received an ovation that must
have been pleasing to her, considering that
she was given to understand before COM
ing here that Indianapolis was not city
of musical enthusiasts. Her triumph last
night was indeed complete one, and such
as would seem to warrant bringing more
such artists to this city in the future.
A number of musical evenings of artistic
merit have been enjoyed in this city during
this season, but not one of the programmes
offered has been more prolific of genuine
pleasure than that of last night. No one
possessing a love for music could have
attended the recital without having found
much in it to appreciate. while to the stu
dent of music the entire programme was
one to be thankful for. In point of mu-
steamship and interpretive power Miss
Ruegger is in the lead of any 'cellist ever
heard in Indianapolis in the past, which
is scarcely saying enough in praise of her
work, as Indianapolis has had but few op-
portunities of hearing the best performers
on this most sympathetic of stringed in
struments. This young woman from Bel
GUM possesses the same exquisite purity
and velvetiness of tone that is most mag
netic in Kubelik's playing of the VIOLIN
Her stronghold is simplicity. She plays
not only without mannerisms, but with all
the naturalness that would belong to one
wholly oblivious to her surroundings. She
seems TO be in this respect so entirely alb
sorbed in the work that she is interpreting
that 1t could not we'll be otherwise. She
Is very young-barely twenty-two-but she
is great artist. for not only is her tech
meal equipment most exceptional, but she
possesses a clear understanding Of the
poetry of music, rendering all of her Sc
lections with delicious sentiment or splen-
did force, as the occasion demands.
'.Au Bord du Rousseau" by Fischer;
L'Abeille,' by Schubert; a melody by
Bach; a romance of Huber; a berceuse of
by David Pepper, who has written so
much for the cello. embracing a mazurka,
a tarantelle and his "Andacht." In all
of her selections Miss Ruegger showed a
high degree Of musicianship as well as
poetic breadth. She handled her instru-
ment with wonderful ease and grace. even
in such numbers as Peppers Mazurka"
and the same COMPOSERS "Tarantelle"
both of which require the heaviest tones
of which the instrument is capable. Her
audience seemed TO enjoy most of all the
numbers that tested her virtuosity. al
artistic standpoint, the most pleasure-giv-
ing of her programme. She played but one
encore-the 'Elegy" by Massenet, and she
played it with tenderness and charm
that was delightful. The young artist
held the rapt attention of her hearers from
the moment that she drew her bow across
the strings of her instrument until the final
sweet harmony reverberated through the
hall.
The piano accompanist was Mrs. S. l..
Kiser, who displayed, she has upon
many other occasions. an unusual aptitude
for sympathetic work at the keyboard
The platform was artistically decorated
with vines and palms, suggestive of the
spring season, and the only illumination
was the soft light from a dozen candles
successful given in indianapolis for some
time. Mrs. Richard L. Talbot, jr., who
acted as local manager for Miss Ruegger.
received a telegram during last nights
concert from Nine. Roger Micos, the
French pianist, accepting the terms offered
her for recital in this city. Nine Roger
Miclos, who is at present creating some
New York, Philadelphia and other Eastern
cities, will be heard in this city at the Ger
man House. April IA.