The Press.
London, England, 1856-06-07 00:00:00

MUSICAL DOINGS.

The second series of " Orchestral Concerts " com-
menced by Mr. Mullah at St. Martin's-hall, bid fair

547

to be as successful as the former ones. The director
appears to be aiming at novelty in his programmes,
principally resorting to reviv sls of the old masters.
In the fine bravura song of Medusa, by the French
composer Lulli, there was an admirable exponent in
Viardot.

The second morning concert of the "Orchestral
Union," conducted by Mr. A. Mellon, leads us to
hope that the professional combination may become
permanent. The execution of the symphonies and
overtures is now the highest enjoyment which can
be attained in London as an accurate delivery of the
instrumental works of the great masters.
At the fourth of Dr. Wylde's evening concerts,
Herr Otto Goldschmides own pianoforte concerto in
E flat was n►cely played. Of a much higher class
of composition was a duet for pianoforte and orches-
tra, performed by the composer, Herr Silas, in mas-
terly style. There was decided original►ty in the
work, but objection may be taken to the term " duet."
It was properly a concerto. There was also a violin
concerto by Herr Kettenus, but it was placed so late
that the composer and player did not receive a fair
hearing. Hen• Von der Osten, a German tenor, and
Mlle. Jenny Bauer were the vocalists.
Mr. Jacques Blumenthal's matinee musicale at the
Dudley Gallery in the Egyptian hall last Wednesday
was a fashionable overflow, and there was a musical
duel which excited no small sensation. Mr. Blu-
menthal and lime. Viardot were the combatants.
First the pianist commenced with a charming
melody, which he sung on the instrument admirauly,
and then, when lie had finished, V►ardot to. up the
theme, and treated it with variations of consummate
sk►ll. It was a drawn battle, in which the lionouts
were to both belligerents. Herr Pischek, Ringing
his very best, was heard at this matinee. Who will
secure his Don Giovanni? Mr. Lumley or Mr. Gye?
It is worth fighting for, now that famburini is not
here.

The three brothers and the three sisters forming
the Brou,il Family, now to he heard at the Gallery
of Illustration, are exceedingly clever, especially
Bertha, the violinist of fourteen years, and Alban,
the violoncellist. We hope the musical Irecocity
has not been attained by the forcing system.
Last Monday was a rerular field-da3. In the
morning Mohque, the classic composer and ad-
mirab:e violinist, had a morning concert at the
Hanover-square Rooms, which were fillet with
fashionable company. In the evening there wets
the concerts of Mr. and Mrs. A. Gilbert, at Willis's-
rooms ; the final concert of the amateurs at the
Hanover-square Rooms; Mr. Surman's annual night
at Exeter-hall, of the London Stirred H.trmonic So-
ciety, Judas Maccabeus being the oratorio; and the
concert of Mr. Willing, the organist, at the Music-
hall, Store street.

Last night's performance of Mendelssohn's Elijah,
at Exeter hall, under Costa's directi ii, with N iiie.
Novell°, Mme. Viardot, Mr:. Lockey, Mr. Sines
Reeves, and Herr Formes as principal singers, and
yesterday's Crystal Palace morning concert., completes
a week's music of extraordinary extent, variety, and
amount of attraction. It would take three or more
continental capitals to supply either in quantity or
quality so much music of every school.