Matinee Piano Recital: 1st

Includes programme.

“The first of a series of matinees—or rather of après-midis—supplied by Miss Anna Mehlig, occurred at Steinway’s smaller hall, yesterday afternoon. The place was crowded, and the interpretation of the programme afforded evident satisfaction. Beethoven’s ‘Appassionata’ sonata, two fugues by Bach, Schumann’s ‘Kinderscenen,’ and Henselt’s ‘Liebeslied’ were the principal compositions recited. The selections elicited the display of technique, subordinate to the thoughtfulness, and to the not unlimited but not unapparent sensibility, for which Miss Mehlig’s playing has been conspicuous since it was first enjoyed in this country. Miss Mehlig’s fugal work on the keyboard was especially interesting, and as effective as similar performances on a piano can be.” 

“Miss Anna Mehlig began at Steinway Hall, yesterday, a series of three piano-forte matinées, somewhat on the plan adopted last year by Miss Krebs. Though the weather was so cold, and the advertising agent had unaccountably forgotten to announce the hour of the performance (3 o’clock), the smaller hall was crowded, and a number of ladies and gentlemen stood all through the entertainment. The following was the programme [see above].

It is an eloquent testimony to Miss Mehlig’s merits that without assistance she should have held the interest of her audience through a severely classical programme like this. From the Sonata, which ran from her fingers with such delicious grace, to the great Polonaise, which she interpreted with such power of touch and breadth of expression, her work was all excellent and all full of character. She has the sentiment necessary for Beethoven and the precision and clear sense of rhythm demanded for the Fugues of Bach. The first three selections were admirable. Schumann’s ‘Scenes of Childhood,’ introducing the popular ‘Traümerei,’ was given with most exquisite delicacy, and equally beautiful were the impromptu by Schubert and the Love Song by Henselt. The audience, consisting almost entirely of ladies, was of course not very noisy, but the success of the concert was unmistakable, and we hope Miss Mehlig may be induced to prolong the series.”

“Beethoven’s great ‘Sonata Appassionata’ led the programme, and was rendered with indescribable grace and poetic fire. The attendance at this matinée was so large that the smaller hall could not accommodate the audience, and the two remaining matinées are to be given in the large hall.”