The Express.
London, England, 1862-06-12 00:00:00

MUSIC.

MUSICAL SOCIETY OF LONDON.

This society's fourth concert took place last
evening at St. Janteds-ball. It was the lest of the aociety's
fourth season, which it brought to a brilliant does. The
following was the programme of the performance:

PART L
Overture tAthalie). Mendelamohe.
Air, Dies lindens ist bezaubernd schen"
(Dl* Leabereote) Herr Wachtel /rum %l-
eans)
Comserto in D, Ott. 4I (node), Herr Redd= Beethoven.
Air des Bijou; .0 Dieu I Que de bijoux"
(Tenet.. Madame Lentmens-eherringtoti Clounod.
Overture (Don Quixotei
PART 11.
Symphony In C minor, No. 3, Olt. 78
Roan., " Perdue& U ado wad : DUO, " Tfitto
apprendi, sventurato " (Ouglielmo
Madame Leinatens-nherrytiton and Herr
Wachtel Rossini.
Overture (Oberon)

This was an excellent 'election ; but, with the exception
of Mr. Silas's overture and the air from Gounod's Faust, it
presented nothing but what was familiar to the musical
public. Aod it was ell the better on this account ; for, as
we have often said, in the present dearth of ineative genius
in music, the production of new pieces only excludes much
superior works of an older day. In this respect the practice
of this new societyis better than the plan.which at the outset
they announced their intention to adopt. Experience has
given ► lesson, however, which they have done well to
profit by. The chief features of this concert were
Beethoven's Violin Concerto, played by Joachim. It is the
greatest work of its class in existenoe, and Joachim per-
forms it in • manner which probably has never been
equalled. Last night, with the exquisite beauty of his
execution, and the delicate manner in which it was accom-
panied by the band, it afforded a gratification which nothing,
we think, in the whole art of music could surfer ; and so
the audience, from the vehemence of their applause, seemed
to feel. Spohr's symphony in C minor, though not that
great master's (lief dam ere, is nevertheless • fine work,
sad received great justice from the orchestra and their able
andootor, Mr. Mellon. Mr. Silas's overture to Don
Quixote is a composition of much merit, skilfully
written, and in some pails very effective. But it
is too laboured, and the composer has tried too
much to produce effect by an accumulation of
loud instrumentatioo. A larger portion of simple melody,
and • more sparing use of the trombone and the ophicleide
would have been more advantageous. It was exceedingly
well performed, and received with considerable applause.
Herr Wachtel, whose sucoessfal debut at Covent-garden
we have afouly mentioned, was unfortunately labouring
under a severe cold (on which account the indulgence of
the audience was requested on his behalf), and the
beauty of his fine moor voice was much impaired ;
but he sang Mozart's beautiful air like • true
artist. M. Gounod's air is in that ultra French style
which pleases at the Opha Comique, but is too redolent of
the boulevards to snit Eoglish taste. It was sung, never-
theless, by Madame LammeneSherriogton with such brilliant
execution and vivacity of manner that it was well received,
though not with the applause which this charming singer
wor'd have gained had she made • better choice. We
need scarcely add that the hall was crowded to the doors,
for this is always the case at the concerts of a society whose
member" and associates are sufficient of themsel►es to form
• large audience.