The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-01-27
JOHN .PONIELL,S DEBUT

Especial Correspondence Of The Times D!spatch.1
BERLIN, January l2.-lf john.
/ Powell, the already celebrated Vir-s
gilman pianist, though he Is still but
twenty years old, had consulted his
friends they would have said to him:
"Whatever you do, don't choose FOR
your debut Berlin, the coolest and most
critical musical centre In Europe" Only
John Powell has knack for depend
ing on his own Judgment. wh!;h
brought him out on top here as 1t has
done often before. He chose Berlin pre-
cisely because 1t was the most difficult
place to conquer, and no other sue
cess would be complete until he had
succeeded here, too. So he jumped
down the lions throat; and the non
took to 1t SO kindly that 1t adopted
him and proceeded to lionize him all
over Berlin.
A reputation had come ahead of him
from Vienna. where he has been study
ing with Leschitiszki for five years..
during the last two OF which he has
been acknowledged as the star pupil
OF the world-famous master; and also
from Paris. where he had play before
small coteries Of musicians. Who 4. hli
given him unqualified praise. Neyerthe-
less on the night OF his debut at the
SAIL Bechstein. in Berlin, on December
oSth, the purity of tone, the mastery
Of technique, the depth of understands
ing and the power OF magnetism ne,
revealed held spellbound large ana
critical audience, which did not at,
tempt to control its genuine enthu-
slasn1 for this truly great American,
artist.
Slightly Nervous.
During tho Haydn :Variations." in
+ minor. which opened the concert, Mt.
Powell showed a. slight, nervousness,
which was to have been expected. al
though he did not for one Instant lose
his grasp on his theme. The Beethoven,
"NIoonlight Sonata, which followed,
found him more at his ease The aus
daclty OF youth alone could have Sc
tected for an initial appearance before
tho German public this famous Niece.
about which all Germans are so sen-s
sitive; but it must DO confessed that
Mr.. Powell played the first movement
with rounlness and aulatness. and
the third with q sense OF tragedy and
passion, while maintaining throughout
the whole perfect proportion. which
Justihed his self-confldencs.
1t was, However In the Chopin group.
which composed the second part Of his
program, that Mr.. Powell s:loncd tho
full extent OF HIS exceptional talent.
The neWness Of conception Of the L,
sharp major "lmpronlptu'' was such
that at the start one COZ q not hut feel
that 1t did NOT quito suit; set as Sha:
conception unIo,ded itself, ona realizsd
that while intensely inlividna,.it was
not In any sense un-t'hop inesque, aud
that II q holder Interpretation than
that generally heard. II vas alsp Ia
trGeri one. 8Sas VI
The 3 minor seherzo was played
with such unity OF Idea and such per-.
lection OF technical aud motional eI-
preston that the audience was COM
3pletely gsw on away and could scarcely
await tho final hurricane of$chromatic
octaves before breaking into enthust-3
astic cheers. His rendering OF this
piece alone would have suf1lced to-
ran X the performer among the eminent
3pianists OF the day.
After playing with wonderful sentt-s
mont, syirllity and fire the p minor:
Sonata Liszt's masterpiece. which both
for technique and interpret alton Is one
OF tho most difficult pieces ever writ.
ten for the piano, Mr.. Powell reached.
the Last part of his program.
Own Composition.
"a ais group opened with John Pow
5ell'A own \ comp isl Ion, oenae sEro-
Stilue.' the hrst place by an American
Sconlpose err VIII oh. Il wi lle net er ID fteet.,
ed nor tar-te tohed. Sd still u An,egl
land original ylthoVt,S stgiy!rs N ter a..