New-York tribune., 1909-02-03
MUSIC
PADEREWsKI's RECITAL

Any one of the descriptions which have been
written within the last twelve fifteen years OF
the incidents connected with panoforte recitals
by Mr.. Paderewsh would have served for tnat
in Carnegie Hail yesterday afternoon-the crowded
house, the atmosphere Of expectancy, the pa
tient wait, the dim light, the decorous recep-
ton Of the large offerings with which the
Virtuoso always opens his concerts, the Cres-
Cendo Of enthusiasm when the group of shorter
and more easily Comprehended compositions Is
reached especially If they Chopin 81; the de-
lrium after the final number of the printed pro-
gramme, almost always an Hungarian rhapsody by
Liszt; finally the rush to the front and the supple
mentary numbers demanded by the irsauables, and
granted with characteristically gentle kindness
until the projected recital has grown into two and
the thousands turn their faces homeward with
sigh and their emotions all a-quiver-an these
things were re-enacted yesterday. To many. no
doubt the first group Of Mr.. Paderewski's offer
ings was somewhat trying, for there was unmis-
taxable evidence that the taste Of large element
in the audience more TO pretty trifes than 10
the solids which the great artist Insists giving
TO his audiences with an inexorableness which
tells of his profound devotion to lofty things. The
first indication of this taste made in an al
most hysterical effort TO compel him to add TO the
Chopin list after a sensationally brilliant and thun-
derous performance OF the Polonaise, OP. 53. the
second in loud calls of ''Minuetr' after the sup
Elementary recital had reached its fifth stage Mr..
Paderewski graciously complied. though he may
have been amused, perhaps also little veXed, that
there should be so loud clamor for his dehEntiui
tdbit after his splendid performance of Bach's
.Chromatic Fantasia and Fugue," Beethovens
Sonata, Op III, and Schumann's Symphonic Studies
had aroused only a respectful patter Of applause.
But all classes of music lovers counted among
his admirers and If the many are tondest OF MS
sentimentalties ne has within himself the witness
that his lofty procamations also reach the hearts
OF the musically elect. To make an end or the
record of incidents. let 1t be stated now that the
second group of pieces in his list yesterday con-
sisted Of Chopins Nocturne in Z major, Op 62; the
Mazourka in A fat Op. 80; the Barcarole and the
Polonaise. The concluding pieces were Debussys
''Refets dams TEau'' and the twelfth Hungarian
Rhapsody The added pieces were Chopin's waltz
two of Chopins studies and a prelude by the same
composer, Schumann's ''NachstJck' and the Min
uet.
All of this music had been heard before at Mr..
PaderewskTs rectaIs, except the bit Of musical inn
pressfonism by Debussy. 1t is a bit of daniance
with the harmonics which float upward from the
pulsing strings vibrating sympathetcally when re-
leased from the restraint of the dampers- The
pretty sounds though often blended erratcally tell
of the composers intimate and sympathetic knowl-
caressngly with the and fancy Of the listeners
without conveying a deeper message To such a
master of beautiful utterance as NIr- Paderewsh
the compositions offered opportunity which was
utilized TO the full Yet the player seemed little
disposed to reduce it TO sensuous tonal effect
he the Chopin nocturne. which he gave out
q noble song In fact nearly all OF his playing
yesterday marked by confluence, dignity and
freedom from sensational display. The note of
dignity sounded at the outset was well maintained.