Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-02-05
HEIFETZ PLAYS TO
AN ENORMOUS HOUSE
Academy Sold Out and Stage
Crowded to Hear Recitals Of
Brilliant Young Violinist

Inc amazing hold on the affections Of tho
Philadelphia musical public that Jascha
Heifetz has obtained in the few times he
has played in this city was demonstrates
last evening by a house that overdowed the
seating capacity of the Academy of Music
and occupied every available chair that could
be crowded upon the stage and still keep the
solost there as we'll
The house was completely sold out, and
after the first number Mr.. Heifetz. finding
that the crowd interfered with his proper re-
lation to the piano, on which his accompani-
ments were played. had the instrument moved
to different position. This necessitated
portion of the stage audience moving ne
wei. and considerable commotion and amuse-
ment on the part of those who didn't have
10 move resulted. However everything was
finally arranged to the satisfaction of every
one and the concert proceeded smoothly to q
successful conclusion
Mr.. Heifetz opened his program with the
ulfflcult and none too effective sonata In q
minor Of Tartini, following this with the
main number of the evening. the Concerto
in ID major OF Paganni Both of these the
principal selections. were beautifully played
from a technical standpoint and Il must be
admitted that Mr.. Heifetz got out of the
concerto all the real musical feeling that II
!
as anything but one OF the great virtuoso
concertos. Written by probably the greatest
techncian that the world has ever known, Ii
bristles with difficulties for both the left hand
and the bow arm. all Of which were over
come with ease by this remarkable young
violinist The spectacular glissando in
thirds was especially effective to the
audience, though not nearly so difficult as
some of the other things which he did with
such ease as to take away all appearances
OF the sensational.
Following the concerto was a group Of
four short selections. the Romanza in F by
Beethoven the familiar Minuet of the same
composer, Waves at Play" by Edwin
Grasse, the blind violinist, and Moszlxow-
skis we-known "Guitarre." All were well
played. and SO good an impression did Mr..
Grasses composition make that the soloist
was obliged to repeat II. The concert closed
with an Andante-Cantabile of Tschaikow-
sky. transcribed by Leopold Auer, and the
brilliant and effective Polonaise in d major
of Wieniawski
Mr.. Heifetz responded generously to the
vociferous applause of his audience. and gave
five encores. In the order in which they
were given the extra numbers were: Schoen
Rosemarin of Kresler. Minuet by Melandrs,
Rondo du Lutns of Bazzlni. Ave Maria OF
Schubert and the Tambourin OF Gossec.
In the concert a whole Mr.. Heifetz deep
ened the impression he has given by his
previous appearances in this city. He has
a well-nigh perfect technique both Of fingers
and of bow. with tone of much beauty and
"A restrained artistic style of playing. rare
in any young Russian instrumentalist. The
program selected did not admit Of a great
deal in the way of Interpretation, nor did II
admit o. any judgment of Mr.. Heifetz's arr
tistic progress along purely mental lines
since his last recital appearance in this city.
He is undoubtedly a violinist of perfect me-
chanical equipment now and of great artistic
possibilities in the future, when maturity,
with its accompanying breadth Of mind and
of mental outlook, shall have arrived.