Evening star., 1928-01-30
Praises HOfmann.
Writer Lauds Pianist's Playing
With Violinist.

To the Editor OF The star
Washington has recently enjoyed a
musical experience-not only made
quately appreciated, 1t would seem. but
in certain quarters even met with a
curiouSly mistaken criticism.
AS n composer Of more than 30 years
experience in music. tempered by the
angle of a number of years study
abroad in Munich, Berlin, Paris and
elsewhere. / venture to make few OBJ
scrvations regarding last Wednesdays
joint recital, at the MayfloWer. OF Nine.
Luboshutz. violinist. and Josef Hof-
mann. pianist. In this connection. i
wish to amplify the statement of The
Stars musical editor following the
above recitalJ, TO the effect that many
people regard the pianist's part in a
violin sonata as often a heavy. and
generally a thankless, effort Unfor-
tunately. am only too conscious that
the following letter is composed with
Horace Greeley's famous dictum in
mind, Il have not time to write a
short editorial"
When it was learned that Hofmann,
a pianist of the first rank, was to APP
pear, not as soloist. but as ensemble
player, there was in certain quarters
great surprise and disappointment
altogether natural. But when there
further developed those who complained
that Hofmann must have fallen OH
considerably to be playing accompani-
ments." then, indeed, it seems neces-
sary to take account Of stock.
I believe that it may safely be as
serted that no pianist living could have
more adequately accomplished the task
that Esns set before Hofmann last We'd
ncsdav morning And in so doing he
proved himself as great an ensemble
nlayer as a SoloiSt--no mean achieve
ment for one associated almost eX-
clusiyely with Virtuoso Work. And
when one presumeS to complain OF
Accomplishments" where IN planoforte
literature is there more compelling viz
tuosity than in many parts snotably In
the second movement OF the Cesar
Franck sonata or. as well. more justi-
fable occasions for tonal beauty? In
brief. the lyric charm and simplicitieS
of the early Grieg. the mystic beauty.
even grandeur. of the Franck and the
cantabile passages and rhythmic VIZ
tuoSiticS OF the Bruch combined 10
make a program remarkably varied and
satisfying. with the phrases tossed back
and forth between violin and piano as
co-equals. AS matter OF simple fact.
there are those who even felt that at
times the violin accompanied" as II
were. the pianofortei The writer Won
ders if any listener on that occasion
had honest reason TO believe that Hof-
manns playing because accompany
ing'O showed any falling off? For one
10 hold that opinion seems beyond
belief.
To be sure. the orchestral part Of
concerto transferred to the piano Is.
as a matter OF intrinsic worth and
charm. usually well-nigh hopeless on
the esthetic side. Ito this extent
were the advance critics" seemingly
justified in their fears) But in
gloritled transcription. obviously en-
riched by the pianist. the piano part,
in its considerable beauties. sounded
like an orchestra. Performing. as he
did. in a vein thoroughly pianistic,
whenever the violin CHANGED TO pause.
how Hofmann did cut loose. though al
ways returning 10 his authoritative yet
discreet accompaniment"
Not least extraordinary OF all. how
ever. was the fact, doubtless unremarked
by many. that Hofmann played his pro-
gram absolutely without noteS--a feat
Of such intellectual yirtuoSity as 10 be
all but incredible. The mamorizing of
the regular piano part in a we'll known
sonata would be thought teat enough:
yet. in addition. for one 20 memorize
the orchestral part OF violin concerto
tnever in the repertory OF pianist OF
the first rank would generally be re-
garded job as thankleSs as altogether
inexpedient. Few people realize. more
over. the function that sheer memory is
called upon to play in a modern re-
Citall
Nine. Luboshutz Is violinist Of very
remarkable accomplishment and rare
musical worth. who has been dellghting
the public. A Chicago criticism de-
elares that "LuboshutZ is the Hotmann
Of the Yioiin" And Hofmann. it goes
without saying. is second TO none. II Is
not too much to declare that their en-
Semble IS altogether worthy Of each par
ticlpant. These two artists did incom-
parably brilliant and poetic work indl-
yidually and as joint performers. In
deed. after attending recitals for nearly
30 years, will testify that for ME such
an experience was unqualifiedly unique
Did Washington truly realize what a
priceless opportunity Ii had been Of
fered? When Schumann first heard
the youthful work OF man named
Chopin. he cried. Hats off. gentlemen,
a genluSi" In like manner. Washing
ton--thanks 10 Mrs. Lawrence Town
send--shouid have been eternally CRATE
ful for the opportunity 10 hear Nine
LuboshutZ. violinist. accompanied" by
Josef Hofmann.
PERCY LEE ATHERTON.