New-York tribune., 1908-04-13
MUSIC.
KUBELIK AND HIS PUBLIC.

On the eve Of his departure for transpacinc re-
gions Mr. Jan Kubelik- gave last night at the
Hippodrone what announced as his nnal con-
cert in this city until his projected return, three
years hence. Since the young violinlst last ap-
peared here he has travelled the length and hreadth
of the United States. and his route Will now take
him through Canada TO Australia What ms
method of approaching his audiences there Will De
is of no immediate concern to any one but himseir
and his manager but it is worth remarking that IN
selecting the Hppodrome as the place and Sunday
night as the time for each Of his New York con-
certs of this those responsible for the con-
duct of Mr. Kubeliks tour have precisely gauged
this artist and his present relation to the public
There is nothing OF a derogatOry nature intended
by this statement II Is simply that in view OF the
Bohemian violinists extraordinary technical factl-
ty his willingness TO exploit II and his apparently
limited sympathy with the intense and serious as
poets of music Mr.. Kubelik and his managers are
following the line OF least resistance In making MS
concerts professedly of a popular character
A popular concert too often means. In this city,
inartistic one, but It has many times been
proven that this need not be the case, and this
was demonstrated anew last night. The violin
vtrtuoso assisted by Mr.. Walter Darnrosch
and the New York Symphony Orchestra, and by
Miss Berthe Roy. pianist and the programme was
in most respects model of its kind. Mr.. Kube-
lk's contributions the list were the Mozart
concerto in D major. the fantasia airs from
Gounods Faust put together by Wieniawsk; a
Paganini air for G. string and Bazzini's La Ronds
des Lutins." The orchestral numbers were headed
by Smetanas "vltava.' OF the half-dozen
symphonic poems comprising the group entitled
My Country devoted TO the glorihcation of Bo-
hemia, it's legends. its people and its diversified
landscape. Mr.. Damrosch doubt played this
out of compliment to the nationality of Mr.. Kube
lk. but it would have been welcome IN any case.
music of flowing melody and rustic flavor
singularly ingratiating Equally general IN its ap
peal was the Massenet intermezzo, Under the
Trees while the march from RafTs "Lenore
symphony was no less OF welcome The
orchestra played with and sincerity that
helped to lend dignity to the occasion.
Mr.. Kubelik has somewhat changed since his ad-
OF several ago He is still violinist
Of almost unnatural dexterity. but his tone has
lost some Of its sken elegance. and assumed
more human quality, though. already said he
still belongs the virtuoso school. The Mozart
concertO's first movement showed impurity
OF tone but the cadenza here. in the other dvi-
sions of shining brilliancy, and the concertos
slow movement was Of polished beauty and not
without specifically musical eloquence. But the
pOtpOurri from Faust pleased the large audi
enCe best. especially the Kermess music sung. or
whistled. in harmOnics. which gave an amazing
disclosure of dexterity and good intonation. Mr.
Kubeks development in the next few years will
depend on whether he is content to remain a
virtuoso whether he aims a larger and higher
ideal.