Ole Bull Concert: 1st

“This accomplished violinist gave a concert at Steinway Hall last night to a large audience, playing with his usual effect.  His newly devised piano-forte proved to be an instrument of a sweet tone, but lacking in power for so large a room as Steinway’s.  Mr. Wilson played it skillfully.  Miss Barton, a Boston soprano, gave evidence of ability, which will probably ripen into excellence.”

“Ole Bull received an enthusiastic welcome from a crowded house last evening.  His playing was unusually brilliant, though lacking his customary tenderness.”

“Mr. OLE BULL gave the first of his two following concerts at Steinway Hall last evening—the second taking place to-night. This great artist is an established favorite with our public. His merits as a violinist are well known. His tone is pure, his technique admirable, and the sweet yet strong earnestness which he infuses into everything—even trifles—leads to a reciprocity betwixt himself and the audience which we have not observed in any other performer. Mr. OLE BULL played superbly, and was received with the usual enthusiasm. The concerto in E minor has points of great interest. It is not large, but it is individual, and, in the present disposition to mere massiveness, this is a grand and vital fact. Men have to return to the point of doing what they can do, and no more. The disposition of the age is to roam at large and wantonly. Mr. OLE BULL, in all that he has done, displays a sentient and beautiful nature, and this is clearly perceptible in the concerto, although, as a work, it is somewhat wearisome. But, as a rule, people want OLE BULL, and not OLE BULL diluted with orchestra. The solo pieces were, of course, played with marvelous grace. Mr. HALL sang twice with marked success, and Miss S. W. BARTON, from Boston, made her début in this city in a couple of pieces. The lady has a mezzo-soprano voice of good quality, and sings easily. Her manner is charming, and to this we may ascribe a success which is certainly not due to good training.

“A curious and extraordinary thing was put upon the stage and called a piano. Sufferers had to play upon it, and still it presented the appearance of a piano. In Steinway Hall we expect the best piano in the world. They—speaking of the Steinway piano—have travelled through the world and found nothing that could confound them. Did they think that this night they might be confounded? If so, they are, we think, deceived. There are people in the world who will persist in inventing new things for the piano. The instrument is unquestionalby complicated, but the effects that if produces are also complicaed, and the inventors who try to remedy the complications of music and mechanism are always more complicated than the practical men who have wrought in the business, and know everything about it—the weakness and the strength. Mr. OLE BULL has invented a piano which he thinks will revolutionize the trade. Of this, except the statement, we know nothing; but the piano itself audibly is a failure. It may be built on principles that are advantageous to builders, but so far as sound is concerned it is certainly deficient. The treble is thin and the bass inaudible. Bad singers and bad pianos are the same. They are always sweet. Occasionally Mr. OLE BULL’S piano is sweet, but it is the sweetness of a wren. We refer to the piano for the purpose of exculpating the pianist—Mr. J. H. WILSON, a gentleman who seems to have a good school, but who was abolished by the instrument on which he played. We expect to hear him to much greater advantage.”

“The return of Ole Bull to New-York was welcomed last night at Steinway Hall by an audience which was not only numerically large but musically appreciative and enthusiastic. The reception accorded to the chief performer indicated how firm a hold he has upon the popular heart, and how eloquently the magic of his touch and the natural pathos of his style speak to that instinctive love for the beautiful which inspires the better class of American audiences and which for years past no one has so thoroughly awakened as the great Norwegian genius. Despite the adverse influences of bad weather and rival attractions, Steinway Hall was nearly filled. Ole Bull’s part in the programme consisted of a Concerto in E minor and variations on Bellini’s L’amo, ah! Che l’amo, with orchestra, and a Nocturn [sic] with piano accompaniment, all of his own compostion. The best of the three movements of the Concerto was the second, a lovely andante, in which the pathos and voice-like tone of the violin were more admirably exhibited than we ever heard them before. There was a depth of feeling in his touch, a throbbing sentiment in the interpretation of the music which were echoed, throughout the hall, and led at the close to a tumult of applause. The nocturn was remarkable for some of the wonderful harmonic playing in which Ole Bull is without a rival.  Being recalled at its close he gave the La ci darem from ‘Don Giovanni’ with three part chords, executing feats of counterpoint which no one else dares attempt, but which, so easily and so perfectly were they done, we fear were not thoroughly appreciated, though they certainly were keenly relished.

“The assistance arranged by Ole Bull for these concerts is much better than he had last season. There is an excellent orchestra under the direction of Mr. Carl Bergmann, and the solo performers are all good. Miss S. W. Barton, who sang a cavatina of Mercadante’s and a canzone of Landecker’s [?], has an excellent, full, rich, and true voice, and a good method, as well as an attractive appearance. Mr. G. F. Hall is a pleasing and promisihg baritone, and Mr. J. H. Wilson, who made his debut in New York last night as a pianist, seems to have acquired a correct style, though lacks inspiration.”

“That charming and famous violinist, Ole Bull, made his appearance again in New York at Steinway Hall last night before a large audience. It is unnecessary to speak of the performance of one so well known and highly appreciated, except to say that time has not taken away any of the exquisite music from his fingers or soul since he first appeared in America. Indeed, he seems to have improved.  He was very well assisted by Mr. Gustavus F. Hall, Miss J. W. Barton and Mr. J. H. Wilson. Another concert is announced at Steinway Hall, and there is no doubt that this favorite violinist will continue to receive a cordial welcome back to New York.”