New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-11-11
MUSIC.
Nine. Gadski1s First Recital.

In Carnegie Hall yesterday afternoon NINE CAD
ski entered upon her concert career with song re-
citaI To which she needIessly and iniudciously APP
pended a Wagnerian finale. When Wagners
dramas heard. they are in New-fork-With
such appropriate environment. such opulence OF
scenic outfit short. with that cooperation OF the
arts which Wagner announced to be the basis OF
his lyric drama-thea performances Of the hnal
scene of Die Gotterdanmerung' on barren stage
to pianoforte accompaniment are not only inutile'
but an unwise affroat TO art and to a public that
has learned TO appreciate art When TO this the
shouts OF Briinnhilde in the second act Of Die
Walhi~e" are added "as encore" the intelli-
sence as well as the taste OF the singer are seri-
ously brought into question. Nine Nordica did
something like it last season. to the grief of her
judicous admirers but she. at least did 1t In con-
certs made up OF Wagnertan excerpts. and employ
ing an orchestra.
Il is pity that this dissonance should have been
injected into Nine. Gadski's first recital She has
won many friends and admirers here who have
been as glad to witness her development into q
dramatic artist OF high rank under American in
fuences as she has been willing and eager to ad-
nit the fact this respect she has gone through
some Of the experiences OF Nine. Lehman. who.
when she felt II incumbent upon her to explain
the step which ruptured her relations with the
association of German theatrical managers, said
that she had weared Of being horid voiced prtn-
cesses in Germany. and had been able to achieve
her ambition tragic singer in America 1t was
necessary for her to break with the stage conven-
lions Of Germany in order to do this. Nine. Cad
ski here when little more than novice. and
before those conventions had become a shacke
upon her She developed under the encouraging
influences OF the United States into dramatic
singer of high rank. She has testified to her
probation OF the fact by resolving to devote her
enforced absence from the proper field OF her Ia
bors 10 concert giving in this country. Anywhere
else such an entertainment she gave yesterday
would have been hailed with gladness, but for
reasons that have been limited at (and must be dis
missed with the hint, and others which demand
a modicum of discussion. the record must be
OF modified rapture only.
The field OF the song recital Is exacting and must
be entered upon lightly Nine Gadski has
lovely voice and a gracious presence She mas
learned great deal about singing, and nature has
been kino in giving her powers that could be ex-
ceuently employed in this most exquisite depart
OF She gave much pleasure TO a large
element in her audience. which hatteringly
numerous But she also disappointed very many
all was singularly monochromatic The programme
contained some OF the finest specimens extant Of
German song. and there was not in the list
which can be said TO have been Ill adapted TO her
voice. Many OF them called for Just that style
of dramatic defamation for which her stage
perience should have fitted her. But IN this element
her performances sadly deficient. From be
ginning to end there almost a total absence
OF the vitalizng Influences OF tone color varied TO
suit the emotional expression, and responsiveness
Of diction One OF Taubert's delightfully."- humorous
songs for children. with imitation of military music.
was iutoned with the same timbre Brahmss
austere 'Feldeinsankeit.'' The difference between
narration and characteristic utterance was COM
pIetely overlooked; all was sacrificed TO the
melody and TO such meretricious effects unjusu-
fed and extravagantly sustained panissimos. The
rose and the lad spoke IN the Of languid
pathos in the second stanza OF Schubert's
"Haidenr6slein There a hint OF
the searching heart story with IT'S chang
ing moods eliminating in the maiden's avowaI
conception OF unalterabe love in Bra hmss
Won ewiger Liebe'-one OF the finest songs
composed by mortal man. Wagner's cradle song.
most tender emanatiOn sung fast that all
its appealing charm vanished, and ones thoughts
were involuntarilv turned TO the picture Of moth
er who, instead of grooming and lingering
her darling. had her mind on theatrical or other
engagement. In Richard Strauss transporting
"Traum durch die Dammeruns" Madame Cad
skis fine command OF sustained tones was beau
tifully exhibited and II may be set down as on the
whole the most satisfying feature OF her perform
ance though it's atmosphere OF mystic exaltatiOn
was lacking. Yet ii a pleasure 70 listen TO
Nine Gadskrs voice. 10 note the irrepressible
freshness OF her spirits. and the enthusiasm with
which she has thrown herself into her new work