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. MR. HENRY KETTEN' S RECITALS.
That tho gifted musician, who has Binco his
arrival in tho colonics so completely won tho
admiration of all capable of appreciating
musical genius, would he most heartily wel
comed on his re-appearance at tho Town Hall
was only a reasonable anticipation, and on
Saturday evening Mr. Ketten once again held
a largo and intelligent audience spell-bound by
that magic powor which ho oxerts all uncon
sciously during his performances. Somowhat
unnecessarily, it seems to us, novelty was made
in tho compilation of the programme by tho
entire exclusion of those great pianoforte mas
terpieces, in the interpretation of which the
pianist hn3 been on former occasions listened
to with truly unalloyed pleasure. The list of
works presented on this occasion, though
with but one exception (aud that a
substitution for the printed number)
given for tho first time by Mr. Kottcn,
was nut equal to tho many magnificent
programmes which we have been treated to
previously. The difficulty which a pianist has
in tlie formation of a large rdpertoire of classi
cal and other compositions, to bo understood
and appreciated by the majority of a miscel
laneous audience, is very great if provision has
to be mado for complete variety night after
night. Mr. Kctten's absolute perfection in
matters of technique and in all the difficulties
of execution gives him a far wider raDge foij
the selection of his music than would be possi
ble for ordinary players to avail themselves of,
but it is perfectly easy to understand that
even ho has well-nigh exhausted the list of
pianoforte music which contains all the ele
ments necessary- for productions of great
effect. Saturday evening's programme, how
ever, though unadorned by any of the greatest
works in Sir. Ketten's rdpertoire, was never
theless highly attractive, and of its apprecia
tion by those present there could ho no doubt,
inasmuch as the player was recalled time after
time and coaxed iuto supplementing his pro
gramme with four extra nnmbere, all of which
wore well known and favorite pieces, to wit, the
Don Giovanni Serenade, the Boccherini.MinUet,
Bums of Athens March, and nsnjinalc Auld
Bnbin Gray. Tho recital opened with Mo
zart's Sonata in A, No. 6, in whicli a spirited
movement, Hondo alia Turca, is an especially
attractive feature, Tho sonata was given
with a reading replete with that delicate taste
which is so preeminently characteristic of Mr.
Button, but a selection from Beethoven's
masterpieces in sonata form would have been
preferable, oven hud it been a repetition of
one of those alroady included in former pro
grammes. A new and very charming com
panion, in the form of an idyllo from Mr.
JCettcn's lien, bracketed with a brilliant valse
(also played for the first time), were fresh
spcoimeus uliko of the originnlity of the com
poser and the power of tho player. The ren
dering of the idyllo was one of
the finest exhibitions of delicacy and
expression in pianoforte playing that
Mr. Ketten has over given. .The idylls itself
is a littlo gem of melody, supported with those
exquisite harmonies in the employment of
which Mr. Ketten so strikingly displays his
originality ami mnsicianly power. As tho
pianist has never buforo introduced this com
position to us, it must be inferred that it has
only recently been composed. Its reception
by tho audience was very enthusiastic, and
will cortainly warrant its inclusion in tlie re
maining two recitals which are to be given by
tho artist before lie takes bis final departure.
The works of Chopin were represented in
Saturday's programme by tlie No. 5 Etude in
Cr fiat niul Nocturne in 13 major, both of which
were played to perfection. Another new and
Very brilliant paraphrase by Mr. Ketten, on
Bullo in Maschera themes, was a special
feature of the programme, winning a demon
strative encore, which- was, responded to.
Buhinstcin's beauiiful melody in F,
the Valse Caprieo and Crnoovienue, formed
an important bracket a3 the concluding
selections ill the programmo. Mr. Ketteu
dashed into tho Valse Caprice (substituted for
the Val.se Atlemand) with a fire and abandon
vigorous even for him when at his best, and
t'no result was a magnificent performance of
tliu valse, the daring skips and flights which
are the feature of tho composition being taken
with unerring ncourncy and startling effect.
An enthusiusiic encore of course followed, and
Beethoven's liuins of Athens March was once
inoro heiril, with that striking control of
power which the pianist displays in the,
gradual crescendo and diminuendo. The
audience at the conclusion of the Cracovienno
kept up applause until they induced Mr.
Ketten to reseat himself, and they wene
then regaled with Auld Bobiu Gray, given
with a grand depth of expression. The
next and last recital but one will take
place on Thursday evening next, at the Town
Hall, when wo may bono that Mr. Ketten will
include in his programme two or three from
amongst tlie many of his brilliant selections
from Chopin and Liszt, which he has doubt-
loss played frequently, but which will prove a
certain attraction, and can be heard repeatedly
without losing their interest when interpreted
with the grand power that Mr. Ketten pos
sesses and exhibits.
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