Marie Krebs Piano-forte Recital: 6th

“Marie Krebs played to about fifty people at Steinway Hall. Her selections were worthy of a much larger audience; and her assistants—Mills, Randolfi, Dachauer and Miss Beebe— did their parts creditably. The programme was as follows [see above].

 

Miss Krebs is gradually winning her way in this city to the foremost rank in her profession. Those grave faults which we have repeatedly pointed out in her impetuosity and want of finish are being overcome by her wonderful perseverance and study. Under proper management she can be made a great ‘card’ in the concert hall, but at present her artistic exhibitions can only be placed under the title of ‘Love’s Labor Lost.’ She is a very clever young artist, and there is a brilliant career before her, but the present style of management to which she is subjected will never give her a fair chance before the public.”

“Despite the severe storm on Saturday, both the matinée recitals of piano-forte music were respectably attended, Miss Krebs at Steinway Hall and Mr. Wehli at the Union League Theater having each rather more than half a house full. This was under the circumstances of the weather a remarkably encouraging result. The programme at Steinway Hall was the following: [see above].

 

To this should be added Chopin’s lovely Impromptu in A flat, which Miss Krebs gave as an encore after the Rhapsodie. As both the recitals took place at the same hour we were not fortunate to hear more than half of each, and we can speak of only the last four pieces on the bill above cited. The Schumann duo was performed with magnificent vigor and broad expression in the fortissimo parts, and with corresponding neatness and grace in the contrasting passages. It was a marvelous example of sympathy between the two performers, who, though individually they differ in style almost as widely as two artists can differ, adapted themselves so perfectly to each other that the two instruments seemed to be moved by a single will, and the ear was unable to distinguish the gentleman’s touch from the lady’s. It was altogether a superb performance. The Liszt Rhapsody has been played by Miss Krebs once before, and if it had not been followed by the Chopin Impromptu, we should be tempted to call it one of her best pieces. It runs sparkling from her tireless fingers with a brilliancy which we certainly never heard excelled. When she came back, however, for the Impromptus, she seemed to be in one of those specially eloquent and poetic moods with which the muses, at rare intervals, reward their votaries. At such times the critic’s functions may be laid aside; there is nothing to do but to listen and enjoy.—The two vocalists who assisted Miss Krebs on this occasion are so well known that we need say little of their efforts. Mr. Randolfi was in very strong voice, and should have been heard in a larger room. The accompaniments were played by Mr. L. Dachauer.”