Music and Some Highly Musical PeopleTrotter, James M.
History
Music and Some Highly Musical People
Trotter, James M.
African American musicians -- Biography; African Americans -- Music
On the 26th of March, 1876, White appeared at a grand concert given in
the Boston Theatre, in company with Levy the renowned cornetist. I
shall long and delightfully remember the emotions of thrilling
pleasure produced in my own breast by this virtuoso's magnetic
execution, and the feelings of joyful pride that I experienced when
witnessing, on this occasion, his great triumph. After he had played
the first few bars of the "Ballade et Polonaise" by Vieuxtemps, the
audience felt that he was a master; and his reception readily became a
grand ovation. He received a double encore after the performance of
each regular number on the programme. But of his grand success on this
occasion I shall let the journals of Boston of March 27, 1876, speak.
"Daily Globe:"--
"The concert at the Boston Theatre last evening attracted
one of the largest audiences of the season; and it is seldom
that any artist receives such an ovation as that which was
given to Senor Joseph White, the Cuban violinist, who made
his first appearance before a Boston audience. The numbers
on the programme assigned to this gifted artist were a
'Ballade et Polonaise' by Vieuxtemps, and 'Chaconne' by J.S.
Bach; but a double encore to each of these was responded to
by other selections, including the 'Carnival of Venice,' and
a gavotte by Bach: all of which were rendered with a
perfection rarely heard in violin performances, and recalled
the best efforts of Ole Bull."
"Boston Journal:"--
"The chief feature of the concert at the Boston Theatre last
evening was the appearance of a new violinist, Senor Joseph
White, a Cuban, who has lately created quite a sensation.
Rarely has any artist created so great a _furore_ in a
single hearing as Senor White. His really wonderful playing
took the audience captive at once. His tone is remarkably
true, pure, and firm, and his execution at all times clear
and perfect. In short, he seems to have perfect command of
the instrument."
"Herald:"--
"He handles the king of instruments with the utmost ease and
confidence. He has no useless flourish in his manner, and
none of the 'hifalutin' in his style. He draws and pushes
his bow, and the instrument responds with delightful
sweetness and passionate eloquence. He is probably entitled
to a place in the catalogue of first-class violinists.
Certainly those who heard him last night accorded him
praises which would have perhaps ruined a less vain man."
"Daily Advertiser:"--
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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