New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-02-06
VIOLINISTS FROM
TWO CONTINENTS
Argentina and Its TangO-The
Fine Skill of a
Hungarian.
Nv II. r.. KRFHBIEL.

Yesterdays concert rooms were in me
I possession of two violinists and the au-
diences which were brought together by
! TIER agents to hear them. There was
newcomer. the tenth I'm the foreign class.
II memory does not deceive. at Aeolian
Hall. His name is Andres s. Dalmau, and
II was proclaimed that he halls from the
Argentine Republic. Not without an ul-
terror purpose we fancy. The name sug-
gests the popular dance craze which
threatens to become a nervous epidemic
like that provoked by the Tarantanti ana
ST. Johns dancers in the dark ages. though
! lacking the same incentive: let II be hoped
also that 1t will not have the same con-
sequences. Art, IL seems. must yield to
popular business methods, and If vio-
| linist chances to come from the country
of the great Silver Rim it is small wonder
that the fact is blazoned in the announce
ment of his coming. and only little
smaller that his programme contained a
tango. 4 generation ago South Amerl-
can violin vlrtuoso. Jose White, played
in New York, but TO one thought OF MIN
except as the really great musician that
he was. Not long afterward Maurice
| Dangremont, young Brazilian OF re-
markable gifts, came here also. lie
played. won appreciation. went to Europe
and. probably because of the admiration
bestowed on him when he was pro
digious" child. burnt out his candle III a
, few wears and went to destruction. 30
far as we can remembcs neither Jose
| who called himself Joseph in New York;
1 Ino,, ,nnt a
: tango or any other Afro Hispano-Amer-
/ icano dance That was left to Mr.. Dai-
mau. What il sounded like cannot De
said here; there were other and larger
and better fish TO fry for The Tribune
I recorder of musical doings when 1t was
reached. 1t is safe to say, however, that
II was ANYTHING but the thing which is
called tango at the public dancing places
, and i'm the salons Of society Polite So
/ ciety in the Argentine Republic dances
/ the Habanera, popularity called the
Danza simply. and has never had anything
/ TO do with the vulgar dance OF the west
/ indians. especially the San Domingahs'
| built on the negro rhythm which has been
refined by Spanish influences. NO douot
that was suggested to the judicious by
Mr. Dalmaus performance of "A Tango
Argentine by Cattelani transcribed by
/ himself.
| Judging by his playing OF earlier things
/ Mr.. Dalman is violinist of fine powers
which. unhappily. he is disposed to use
/ too much to crafty the groundlings. His
tone is pure information admirable, tech
nical skill ample for all that he attempted
/ II
place among the first half dozen foreign
vjolinists who have visited us thus FAR.
! Higher up in the line. however, and con-
testing the first place. indeed, must I've
| placed Herr Flesch, a Hungarian VINO
: gave his first recital in the afternoon at
| Carnegie Hall. The most obvious thihg
at Herr Fleschs recital was that ne nao
made an unfortunate debut at the concert
! of the philharmonic Society, at when ne
nlaved the Beethoven Concerto. The &C.
cident of a slipping peg. which compelled
him 10 stop for what seemed an uncoh-
scionable time TO set his strings in tune
before beginning his first cadenza' was
! the least OF the evenings mlsfortuhes' IL
was much more 10 his disadvantage that
he was nervously restless in his phrasing
and seemed to have no notion OF that
quality of repose which seemed to be-
! long 10 the great volume OF tone at the
command of his bow. That quality OF
supreme Importance in all art, was oovi-
Gus in superb measure yesterday added
TO height and nobility OF tone, except
when he yielded to the desire to make
catchpenny sentimental Portamento Ell
| forts. After he had shown a most digni-
fed and refined taste. helped by his free
dom from the affected vibrato which Is
all too common, in many OF the preceding
pieces. 1t was disappointing TO have him
smear the melody OF schubert's Ave Ma
ria" all over the fingerboard OF his instru-
ment. Herr Flesch is a truly great art
list: he can prove the fact best by avoid
ing affectations Of all kinds-of bearing
as well as OF reading.