New-York tribune., 1905-02-08
MR.. D'ALsERTs RECITAL.

MI Eugen d'Albert gave his first pianoforte recit-
al in MendeIssohn Hall yesterday afternoon. A
numerous audience heard the distinguished musi-
clan and virtuoso play. All were interested and
apDrecative Of the good things which were Of
fered; a few made noisy demonstrations inoppor-
tuneiy and impertinently, and (as is frequently
the case) marred the dignity and the entoyability
Of the occasion. Ignorant youths ought be sent
TO serious concerts to play the claque in music
rooms with which they not familiar. and spoil
the pleasure of their betters.
Mr.. d'Albert's programme covered a reasonably
wide field, but not heterogeneous one, and was
constructed the conventional plan: Bach In
transcription at the beginning; Beethoven sonata,
the so-caled "Appassionata' Get # not be said as
sop TO the classicists); Chopin and Schumann as
representatives of the romantic composers. but
with Chopin first with only three pieces (the Bal
lade IN fiat. Nocturne in and Polonaise in A
haD. and Schumann following with that exquisite
emanaton Of his poetic fancy called "CarnavaI" !"
Then came a Scherzo by the concert giver one
Of the Schubert-Lszt Vienness waltzes. and a
Scherzo and March by Liszt. It was not exactly
Vlrtuoso's arrangement for purposes Of display.
though it had the cid leaning. No pianist seems
willing to send an audience home occupied with
thoughts Of his musicianship: ii must be with
amaze at his technical dexterity. Thus are the
impressions made by the music of Bach and
Beethoven efaced. that there may be a stimu-
liant when the listener grows weary
When Mr.. dAlbert gave his concert with Mr.
Ysaye a fortnight ago, ii remarked in this
journal that he would deliver his real message
later. Yesterdays recital provided an opportunity
70 complete the estimate then begun as TO what it
is that has to offer to the lovers Of panoforte
music. 1t is not essentially different from that
with which all are familiar who recall his
concerts of fifteen years ago. or have heard him
IN Europe in the interim. In his larger perform
ance Yesterday admiration was still challenged
by thu noble vrility Of his readings, his
fine musicianshp. his seriousness Of pur-
pose and obvious contempt for musical quack-
ery The artist always evident. but
not always the virtuoso Of former days. His tones
were always sober, and his austerity sometimes
ran out into harshness of utterance; but the ex-
ception then has now become the rule What was
noble virilty is become too often downright rude
ness without thought of or care for beauty OF
tone He forces his instrument until there can be
no admiration for it's voice but only startled
anazement at it's jangling sorority in the bass
and its humping percussiveness in the treble He
will not believe that poppy and mandragora and
.'drowsy syrups Of the world" are the essence of
C,bopn's music and he tries to make others be-
Iieve with him by giving them an exaggerated
manIiness that takes away much Of their charac-
+eristic charm Some OF this excess goes over also
into his Schumann readings but Schumann is sell
dom morbid though always poetical, ard can be
roade the vehicle of a strong proclamation. The
.r,arnaval was delightfully."- stimulating yesterday.