Los Angeles herald., 1908-01-29
The Musical World
Ry FLORENCE MIRIAM TOMBSTONE


w ELL, Jan Kubelik, the king of
w the VIOLIN" has at last come to
w us in a grand and glorious out
burst of melody and pyrotechntques,
and such a musical feast as his recital
of exquisite compositions was last
night.
into temporary paralysis, is the effect
of his wonderful technique to the care
full listener.
In this particular branch of his art
is he like dear old Paganini, who in his
lifetime astounded the world with his
marvellous fetes of technique, and many
an advanced student of the violin to-
day ponders over the compositions OF
Paganini and arduously plods along
phrase by phrase, note by note taxing
each in slowest tempo In hopes that ne
may conquer the intricacies sometime
for alas, much of his music was writ
ten for himself to play and which the
student only too often never conquers,
for few reach that stage or technical
perfection to play at breaknack
speed tremendously long passages IN
tenths. sixths or even thirds and oc-
taves. 1T
The "F'antaise," by Paganini, which
Kubelik played last night is splendid
example of the difficulties Pagan1nl SO
delights in. ,,.,s
He was a wonder technically himsef,
as the world knows, and probably the
hest exponent of his compositions ana
his style is Kubelik. The Stnding
concerto which Kubelik played last
night was given a mastery interpreta-
ton. Breadth of bow and intelligence
seemed most prominent.
Another bit of exemplary technical
skill was shown in ST. Lubins arrange
ment of the Lucia Sextet," and Wnlch
rtVtk ~ Io
he played unaccompanied and with the
greatest possible skill.
The Tschaikowsky "Scherzo" was
very brilliant, and at the same time
full of beautiful harmony, and seemed
TO have been composed for his especial
individuality. His harmonies In thlrds
were very clear and true, for all his
violin was suffering from severe hoarse-
ness during the whole evenings per-
Torrance like all lyric instruments
affected by continued dampness. AFTER
every number Kubelik received an oVa-
tion-they clapped for the composition,
they clapped for the rendition, they
clapped for Kubelik and then they
clapped because of the countess wire
and then for the twins" which de-
manded six bows and an encore. Dur
ing the evening he played several en-
cores, among which was one move
ment from Bach sonata and Inc
Swan" by Saint-Saens.
The only composition in which Kube-
lik displayed much temperament in last
nights program was in the little gem
so rightly named Poem" by Ffbich,
a beautiful tonal picture.
To me there are greater artists or
the violin than Kubelik. The last Vlo-
linist who visited our city, for instance
Maud Powell-had not only great
technique. but big soul and beaut1-
full singing tone which appeals to the
hearts of her hearers.
Kubelik was assisted by a very good
accompanist and who possessed very
musical touch, but his style was a bit
jerky.
The piano soloist, who was but a
mere girl, played with considerable
brilliancy and had a smooth, clean
technique. Her playing of the "Valse
Caprice by Saint-Saens, was her best
effort and was quite a difficult and eff
fective composition. Mile. Roy was
we'll received and heartily applauded
and responded after several acknowl-
edgments with the prelude No. g."
OBJ. 2, by Rachmaninoff.
For all the inclement weather the
Simpson auditorium was almost devoid
of empty seats and the audience was
most enthusiastic.
81
II is to be hoped that Jan Kubeliks
second night, Thursday, will be more
propitious one than last evening. me
rain prevented record breaking audi
ence but it was nevertheless large
crowd that assembled to do honor to
this greatest of all violinists.
The program for Thursday is ut
ting farewell for this artist in Los An
geles and shows, if anything, more YER
satility than last evenings program.
This will be the last opportunity of
hearing Kubelik in this city. The seats
not used for last evening may be used
| tomorrow night. Tomorrow nights
program follows:
Concerto No. 8. A minor, "Gesang'' scene
/ (spohr), Kubellk.
Trugue and variations Bach-LiszD, Mile.
| (a) "Havanaise'' (saint-saenO; Cb) ''scher-