Pfeiffer Concert

“Mr. Oscar Pfeiffer, the German pianist, who achieved a high position here last spring, has returned from his professional visit to Rio de Janeiro, and will give his first concert this season at Steinway Hall this evening. . . . The programme this evening is a good one.”

“Mr. Oscar Pfeiffer's concert at this enormous hall was enormously attended. The programme called for nothing but solos but as these all called for the best talents of some of the best known performances in concerts, an entertainment peculiarly enjoyable was the result. Mme. Lumley, whose very successful début and subsequent appearance we have before noticed, impressed the fine audience last night in the aria ‘Ah! se tu dormi,’ from Vaccai's ‘Romeo and Juliette’—a work that Gounod has by no means surpassed in his latest and mildest works. The rondo from Rossini's almost forgotten work was also delightfully sung by Mme. Lumley, and her recalls and encores were spontaneous and enthusiastic. Mr. Warren was heard at congenial duty on the organ, and Mr. J. R. Thomas sang ‘My Boyhood’s Home’ and ‘Ye Tormentors.’ A delicious performance was Bernard Listeman's [sic] ‘Concerto Polonaise,’ for the violin, with piano obligato, at which his brother was heard. Mr. Pfeiffer's own performances were varied and were all encored. They were all his own, of course. The variations on ‘Lucretia’ and on the well-worn ‘Carnival’ air exhibited his most brilliant playing, while ‘Fairy Stories’ was a fresh and sparkling gem of piano-playing, that ought to be given at every concert in which he takes part, until the public is entirely familiar with it.”

“Pfeiffer’s special gifts lie in his extraordinary technique and rare strength. The large audience awarded him and the other performers with much applause.” 

“Pfeiffer’s fantasy on Lucrezia Borgia gives the pianist many opportunities to show different aspects of his technical skills, which he displayed very well. He played with the genuine noblesse and soothing calm typical for this true artist. The difficulties were mastered with ease, and while he played the bravura parts with the greatest power, he played the cantilenes with extraordinary beauty. He proved that he carries genuine sensitivity. Pfeiffer has made many friends and gained admirers at a time when, for the last ten years, the period in America was not favorable for the Arts. He clearly has had a great success. Lumley sang both her arias by Rossini and Vaccai beautifully. However, we do wonder if the choice of the rather old-fashioned pieces was appropriate. The audience did not respond strongly to either piece. Bernhard Listemann’s performance of Vieuxtemps’ “polonaise” showed the technically skilled and also sensitive musician, yet lacked the strength required for the part before the faster tempo begins. In a smaller concert hall his violin sound may have sufficed; not so at Steinway Hall. The grand piano used at the concert won the Gold medal in Paris.”

“The new contralto, Madame Tumley [sic], has also produced so favorable an impression, as to lead hearers to desire to listen to her in opera. We trust this wish will be gratified.”