THE KETTEN CONCERTS.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2139, 3 January 1881, Page 3

THE KETTEN CONCERTS.

The programme of Saturday night will, we feel sure, bo long remembered by those who had the good fortune to bo present. The numbers composing it were varied in the extreme from grave to gay, each one illustrative of a particular phase of musical expression, and affording tho chevalier an opportunity of displaying to the utmost advantage not alone his marvellous wealth of execution but also marvellous versatility. The audience were enthusiastic to a degree, and well they might be, for we have never before here had such a collection of musical gems interpreted in so grand a manner. The opening number was an andante and polonaise by Ohopin, whose works during the recitals have formed a large proportion of the programmes. The delicious melody of the andante, followed by the - brilliant effects in harmony, which the composer has so liberally made use of in the polonaise, were given by the chevalier in such a w t ay as at once to draw forth loud plaudits. Thin was followed by a transcription of his own of the charming air from Weber's " Der Freischutz," known as " Softly Sighs." This was indeed a jreat treat, the sweetly pretty melody of the tuome being set with a series of grand harmonies evincing the genins of the transcriber. After a serenade by Liszt, the chevalier repeated his transcription of Beethoven's maroh from " The Ruins of Athens," the performance of which drew forth an enthusiastic and persia'.ent encore. In response he played the serenade from " Don Giovanni," the rendering of which will long be regarded by lovers of music here as oiae of tho brightest memories of the sorios of recitals. A charming little nocturne bj Chopin, interpreted by Chevalier Katten with much delicacy and beauty, followed, and then he gave us once more an opportunity of listening to Mendelssohn's dainty Spring Song and his own weird "Ronde des Djinns." The first part closed with a grand arrangement by Thailerg of themes from Rossini's " Mos 6," including the well-known priyer. In this the ohevalier gave onco more an exposition of the povor of expression ho brings forth from the instrument. Tho rendering was like listening to tho performance by a grand orchestra of this magnificent composition, the masses of sound pealing through the hall to an extent one oould hardly have deemed possible from one instrument. The two first numbers of the second part woro Haydn's " Hymn to the Emperor " and the well-known " Carnival de Venise," and " Mandolinata." All three oieoes were transcriptions by the performer. The first was given with great power and effect, and in the two latter the Chevalier brought out a now phaeo of his genius. The intricate and florid variations on the thsme of the " Carnival "

J were heard through, and blending with, the j melody of the " Mandolinata," eaoh being J separate and distinct, and yet mating up one J harmonious whole. A sparkling gavotte J by Baoh, and a short but artistic piece of I descriptive character by Heller followed, and then the chevalier repeated Gottschalk's quaint " Pasquinade," which was encored, and a minuet by Bocoherini given in response. We do not know from whom the request proceeded for the chevalier's fantasia on popular airs, but the audience were indebted to him for a great treat. The various themes —especially " Auld Robin Gray " and " The L»st Rosy of Summer," in which the chevalier repeated his wonderful performance with the left hand only—were interpreted with a loving delicacy of treatment combined with an astounding exposition of power which drew forth a perfeot wh'.rlwind of applause. In this, as in the " Carnival," the chevalier gave no less than three of the themes at once, each separate and distinct, but woven into each other in the most marvellous manner. The fantasia closed fitly with the "National Anthem," grandly plajed as only the chevalier could do it, bringing out in a way soldom heard the beauties of this hardly appreciated piece. In reaponso to numerous requests, the chevalier has consented to appear for three nights longer, when we trust that the lovers of music will show by their attendance that they appreciate the great opportunity now presented to them of hearing the works of the great masters. The programme to-night will include Beethoven's celebrated "Sonata Fathetique" and other items.