New-York tribune., 1922-11-23
Pianist-S,atesman Is Well
coined by Throng AT His
First Recital Here Since
Leaving Polanel's Helm
Art Retains Old Magic
New Singers az Metropolitan
Contribute TO Charm OF
the Evcr-P Popular aida
By H. E. Krehbiel


Neither he. his playing nor his review
or can be mere abstraction. In news
paper Offices THAT Is, in large section
Of them) everything is measured from
point Of view which is seldom that OF
the reviewer of the drams or music.
II chorus girl in musical comedy
appeared on the stage with hole in
her stocking the case-hardened re.
viewer might IN greatest likelihood
think the fact did not signify in the
least. a news editor probably would
take different view Of the case, espe-
cially if he had learned that many
JohBnies waited every night at the
stage entrance fer she young lady
whose hosiery, by accident or by pre-
raeditated action, had suffered in its
integrity.
It is rot at ell complimentary to a
man of worldwide reputation TO draw
him into such a comparison; least Of
al when, as IN the present instance,
the man has played large and digni-
{ied part il affairs compared with
which 8 pianoforte recital is SIS moth
ing. Yet Mr.. Paderewski, having re-
turned TO the field In which he won
great renown before nc took q part il,
the political affairs OF the world, be-
comes again in the eyes of the musical
reviewers virtuoso and musician, and
must be treated as such; and the news
element in his case SINNERS down TO
this: that he gave q recital in Carne-
gle Hall yesterday afternoon after an
absence OF FIVE or six years; that the
hall was crowded TO suffocation with
admirers, though the price of tickets
was doubled, and that there were the
ri Ha .
at the end OF the set program to sat
lsfy which he had to give suppie-
mentary list Of pieces, though he had
played almost continuously for more
than two hours. Also, that the Minuet
which first made him an idol of piano
1orte-pIay'ng misses was vociferouslv
demanded and played, and yet the hun
dreds who had rushed down TO the
stage to be as near as possible clam
ored for more, and, after the lights
we're turned out, got yet another nun
Der, which was Chopin waltz.
Plays Many Extra Numbers
New also, probably, to many of those
Who, like Oliver Twist, called for moro.
vas the list OF pieces played Of which
she tatles were not printed; SO we give
~. After Beethoven's Sonata Appas
5loneta," which was the third number
Sehubert's Impromptu in A fat, on,
l{2. No, 2. After the Liszt Polonaise
IN nat, which ended the formal CON
cert, Liszt's transcription of Chopin's
song "Moja piesczotka" Tor "Meine
Treuden," as II is better known bv It's
German title), Chopin's Waltz in G
sharp minor, LISTS transcription of
lsolden's Liebestod," from Wagner's
Tragedy; the second Hungarian Rhap-
J., &c ~
Chopin waltz, unidentified because un-
aeard by the reporter.
1ne set program was in character
duplicate Of many one played by MIR.
Paderewski in the many seasons in
Thich he was familiar: Mendels-
sohn's variations serieuses," Schu-
n'ann's Fantasia, Beethoven's Sonata
Appassionata," Chopin's Ballade in G
minor, Nocturne in G COP. 81, No. q.
Mazurka in B fiat minor and Scherzo
IN q sharp minor; Liszt's "Au bord
dune Source" concert study in +
minor and Polonaise in e.
What is this purely external ASPECT
Of the case made the popular greeting
or MIR. Padercwski more than ordina-
rily interesting and impressive was the
difference in the conduct of the audi
ence at the beg -nning and the end Of
the recital. When he came upon the
stage there was 4 melnentary silence.
non the great gathering rose TO it's
feet and gave him o reception which
was dignified and impressive. 1t showed
oin1 honor, and in so doing bore finer
testimony to the character of q large
element in it and the value Of it's
tri5uc6 than did those who, after he
II had nobly done his duty bv them.
rushed pell-mell down the aisles. OBJ,
structed the view of those who re.
NAMED in their seats, and noisily
called for the composition which, with
All It's dainty beauty, may have seemed
TO him the most trifing composition
OF the afternoon. We do not say that
ths Minuet deserved such charac-
terization, but only that an artist who
has written many pieces of much
greater moment may have thought So
We hope he did, and that he wished
his most demonstrative listeners had
asked something else Of him. II would
nave given him assurance that his play
ing had been received with appreciation
by persons capable of appTeciating the
best things in music.
Art Displays Its Old Power
And how did Paderewski play. A
proper enough question, though not
one requiring such an answer as M light
be demanded were he not the familiar
figure that he has been for more than
the Paderewski whom New York first
knew; nor like the Paderewski of ten
or more years later, who had unac-
eountabiy seemed to wish TO be elias ed
among the sons OF Anak, with muscles
and sinews of Titan and a desire 20
use them like one of the Anakim. No
one comes to Mr. Paderewski's concerts
with the desire to pick flaws in his
technic, or quarrel with him about his
conception Of the music that he PLAYS.
il any one should come with such BUR-
pose he would soon find it oozing away
under an influence so persuasive that
he would remain only to wonder and
admire AZ the thing that is greater
than these-the potency OF the music
itself. That is the characteristic Of
Paderewski's playing, the charm, of q
deeply poetleal, profoundly musical in
ternediary between the composer and
the heareT. Perhaps his fingers were
not so inerrant as once they were. To
be entirely frank, wc think they were
not yesterday. There were slips and
inaccuracies in the Chopin ballade.
shere were biurrings OF passages uoS
wholly hidden by edroit devices Of
eonceaiment In several pieces, even in
The Beethoven sonata; there were some
gioyen rhythrns. But out Of everything
there spake the soal and shone the
radiant face Of Music itself Why dis
cant upon the minor things Beauty
spoke her benediction aad ali but her-
self was forgotten.
Admirable New Singers at Opera