The Express.
London, England, 1868-03-24 00:00:00

MONDAY POPULAR CONCERTS.

The present season of these entertainments is
now drawing towards a (lore. The last concert but one
took plsoe last night, when the piers:note was as follows :

Past L

Quartet, In A minor, Op 130 a.
Beethoven.
bong, " A now'ret thou rmeabieer Schumann.
Song, "Hark, Hark, the lark" Schubert.
Sonata, In 1:0 major, Op. 10, No. S. BlateetOrto • - Beethoven.

Parr 11.
Sonata, "11 trill° del Marcia," Violin TIMM!.
Song, "0, who can gums my emotion'"
Pimiento, to C anger, Op. 169, Pianoforte and
Violin

Beethoven's fifteenth quartet—the last but one of that
extraordinary series in which the development of the
composer's genius is exemplified es completely and as cos-
tinuously as is big pianoforte sonatas, or his orchestral
symphonies—has been several times before played at these
concerts and received by large audlenoes with so apprecia-
tive attention, in curious contrast to the critical cop-
demnation passed on this and its companion works but a
few years since, and not yet quite extinct in certain
quarters. Those who cannot appreciate the gradual and
necessary development of Beethoven's mighty genius

from the definite beauty and clear proportion and outline
of his earlier works to the abstract sublimity of his later
vast imaginings are incapable of comprehending the
highest purposes and caw:ideal of the Bart in its power
over the most profound and subtle emotions. The earlier
and later phases of Beethoven's immortal productions
were admirably illustrated last night by the quartet and I
sonata selected—the first so independent of all prescribed
form, so entirely reflective of the train of grand and
changeful thought that pissed through the mind of the,
great musics, poet—the other so clear and transparent in
its beautifully moulded outline and details ; equal in I
these respects as in variety and force of genius to the I
beat works of Mozart, Beethoven's model in his earlier
productions. Even in this sonata, however, espe-
cially in the grand " Large," we have indications of
that vastness of conception whieh Beethoven was soon to
carry to a degree never reached in musio but by himself,
Bach, and Handel. The performance of the quartet, led
as it was by Herr Joachim with his unparalleled grandeur of
tone and style (admirably supported by Mr. L. Ries, Mr. H.
Blagro•e, and Signor Piatti), was throughout of the highest
order, its elaborate executive difficulties and exalted
poetical expression having been interpreted with rare
excellence. Of Mr. Halle's finished and refined perform.
ance of the solo sonata we have before spoken, and need
now only say that it displayed the same excellence of
mechanism and style last night as formerly. Herr
Joachim's masterly execution of Tartini's quaint and
difficult solo (the piece which the well-known
anecdote relates he dreamed was played to him
by internal fingers) has also on leveed occasions been the
subject of public applause and critical euloginma. Last
night the great violinist's superb execution of this elabo-
rate piece (with a pianoforte accompaniment played by Mr.
Benedict) drew forth vehement demonstrations of delight,

which were continued until the player returned and
replied to the encore by giving a movement from one of
the unsooompanied sonatas of Bach. The duet fantasia of
Finns Schubert (played to absolute perfection by Herr
Joachim and Mr. Halle) was introduced for the first time
at these concerts, and pleased so greatly that it will doubt-
less be repeated at future performances. It is rather in
the sonata than the fantasia form, consisting of three dis-
tinct impotent movements. An introductory andante
of tranquil beauty leads to an allegretto full of exquisite
charm in its mingled greet and vivacity—followed by an an-
dantino consisting of some charming variations on one of the
composer's well-known songs, concluding with an ani-

Drama.

PRINCESS'S.

Altering his plan of giving two long dramas in
one evening—an entertainment probably a little too solid
for the digestion of modern playgoers now that the old
system of " half " or " second•price " is abolished—Mr.
Boucicault has returned to his

61 programme of two
revived last Weil,

being Jeanie DOWIL This play, fowided by Mr. Smel-
-1 malt on Scott's navel d the " Heart of Midlothian," via

rep popular is lereass, &idly eras to the charming
=illof Kr Howskraelt r the heroine, red it was
the dramas produced at Astley's Theatre when
that house, wider the irriEtTs'

name New Westminster,
ens in the bands of the author. Mr. Bouricault's Tor-
si= differs materially from the old Surrey adaptation by
Mr. T. Dibdin, made in 1819, the most important altera-
tion beteg the introduction on the stage of the celebrated
trial scene, copied in most of its details from Mr. J. Z.
Lender's well-known picture. Mr. Boucloault bee made
Jamie Deana a dram► more of action than of character,
the destruction of the Tolbooth being the deal and prin.
sepal effect, and this is put upon the siege with the fib.-
rality that has rendered the Primer's so famous. The
last ace of the drama is more than Shakeeporias
in the way in which it shifts from place to place.
Mr. Boucicault still cadent' himself with the small
part of the Counsel for the Defame, which he acts admi-
rably, and the rest of the cut is well distributed. Mr.
Maclean plays David Denny sad locks as if he bad stepped
out of some old Scottish picture ; Stße Deana iarepresented
by Miss Litton, a young lady of good appearance who has
confidence and method, but is new to the stage ; Mr. Lee.
son is the Dumbiedikte, not too Scotch for general °Dm-
prebenelon ; Mr. G. F. Neville, Geordie Robertson ; Mr. J.
G. Shore, the Duke of Argyle ; Mr. Forrester, the oppa.
ing outmost ; Miss Emma Barnett, Kedge Wildfire ; and
Mrs. Bousioault a most natural and pathetic Jeanie. The
house was full, and the piece and the principal isobars ware
warmly received.

mated allegro. Each moochant teems with imaginative
fancy and passages of rare beauty for both instnunenie,
admirably contrasted and oonsertecLlSWe hope to hear
the fine workton a future occasion, en it eltoulr
assigned a bettertplaes iattheliprogramme than at the and
of the coacerkenthe vocal pieces (Mokpo( Schubert en-
cored) were given'with nice expronion bl MissirO. West.
brook with the advantage of Mr. Senediot's excellent ac.
campanile/et—an important feature in these hider

The concert of Monday next (the last of the season) will
be appropriated to the benefit of the director, Mr. Arthur
chappell.lllThe programme will be one of !menial interest,
Inaludin erformonr
an Madam tiebounann,
and vocal gala by Mr. Sims Reeves.