The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1907-02-14
ROSENTHAL GIVES
NOTABLE RECITAL
SURPRISES ALL THE OTHER
PIANO ViRTUoSOS-JEFF
THEATRE NOT FILLED, BUT THE
AUDlTNcE DEMoNSTRATlvE.

|. Sonata Appassionata. Op. 81, a.. van
Beethoven; Allegro assai-Andante con
Variazioni-Finale.
II. Bercuese; Sherzo. B fiat minor:
Waltz. OPP. AZ, (Chopin Der Lindenbaum,
Liszt.) Waltz arranged by NJ
Rosenthal, as study in thirds, Chopin
III. At the Fountain. DaVidoff); Mo-
ment Musical, (SchuberD; Papillons,
(Rosenthal)
". Humeresque and F'ugata on themes
by Johann Strauss, (RosenthaL)
Birmingham last night heard the world
greatest pianist. Paderewcli, Bauer.
Hoffman and a number of other brilliant
virtuosos have delighted Birmingham au-
diences, but Rosenthal easily surpasses
the best, of them.
The audience that greeted Rosenthal at
the jefferson was not as large as so
famous a performer should have attract
ed. but it was perhaps the most demon
strative that has ever attended similar
performance.
In response to prolonged applause
Rosenthal repeated AT the Fountain and
his own "Papillons," and at the close of
the programme the ovation was so hearty
that he played the Chopin-Liszt nocturne
and three preudes by Chopin
How could Rosenthal or any other pi-
anist surpass Paderewski? some may ask.
Those who had the privilege of listening
to last nights programme realized that
it was done, even IL they could not ac-
count for it. To begin with Rosenthal is
marvellous In technique He is indeed,
the most phenomenal techician living. In
pieces requiring exceptional dexterity,
such as his composition on themes by
Johann Straus, Rosenthal seemed to have
fifty fingers and all of them in action
without one being in the way or the
other.
But admitting that all great artists
have enough technical skill to perform
the most difficult compositions with ap-
parent ease Rosenthal rises above the
others in interpretative insight and in
clarity of musical expression. His read
ing is always sane and never sensational
and he makes of the most familiar piece
a revelation.
On each of two visits to Birmingham
Paderewski played Beethoven's Appas-
sionata. The last time he rendered this
sonata with beautiful effect; but Rosen-
thai made it far more beautiful thing
In this master work the latter revealed
the unreasonable possibilities of his
touch The fortissimos were absolutely
free from "banginess," while the more
delicate and pathetic passages were with
out the least tinge Of the sentimental
In short, the sonata was played through
out with a wholesome robustness that
made it slngularly informing and illumi-
mating.
The programme gave Rosenthal every
opportunity for his manifold talents. He
delights especially i'm Chopin and appre-
hends the subtle spirituality or this Won
derful genius as no other virtuoso, living
or dead. has ever been able to do. In
Chopin and in the lighter pieces he reveled
and electrified his audience. The intoxi-
eating passages Of sixths and oetavos
ratified down like lightning with frenzied
vehemence but with perfect purity
1t will be a long time before Birmlns-
ham is treated to sucn tone panauer
again. not again until Rosenthai re-
.,er,,s w. X.