The Sun.
London, England, 1838-03-06 00:00:00

PHILHARMONIC SOCIETY.

FIRST CONCERT.
The Philharmonic Society commenced Site season last night
at the Hanover-square Rooms. This institution has been in
existence, now we believe, about a quarter of a century; it is
composed of the elite of the musical profession of the metropolis,
and comprises in its ranks a greater mass of talent than is ever
collected together on any occasion probably in this country.
Taking these circumstances into consideration, we arc led to
expect more from the concerts of this Society than from those
of any other, whether produced by the efforts of individual or
associated professors. Our expectations, however, we are
bound in candour to admit, were not wholly realised by the
performance of last night. The result, as a whole, was not
such as evidenced by features peculiarly distinct, the experience
of a quarter of a century, and the combined talents of the elite.
of the musical profession of London. We have heard at pry
vincial meetings, to say nothing of the superb performances at
Westminster Abbey, far more splendid effects produced by tile
aggregated exertions of a large body of musicians; and at con-
certs
in the metropolis we have heard the compositions of the
modern masters given with a superior degree of point and accu-
racy. To what cause this is owing is a question on aitaich we
will not presume to pronounce dogmatically, but the -probability
is, that the rehearsals are either not sufficient in number or ;
not conducted with sufficient care and attention to minor
details. We shall be told perhaps, and we know it to be true,
that musicians are not sufficiently well paid to admit of their
surrendering their time to this irksome, but necessary, specter
of drudgery. They ought to give up their time to it, howe-
ver, and they ought to be adequately paid ; and till this grand
desideration is obtained, we may despair of vieing with our
continental neighbours in giving to the splendid efforts of con-
temporaneous science those superb effects of which they arc
capable, comp'ete and perfect. But a truce to reflectioo•
The concert of last night commenced with Beethoven's
" Sinfonia Eroica," which was played without any omission,
the only curtailment being the omission of the repetition of a •
part of one movement. The opening in three-four time was
played with much consentaneoas feeling in regard to light and
shade; the pianos were delicately observed, and the effect of
the crescendos and diminuendos delicious ; but in the sudden
bursts and sforzandos the instruments were not always accu-
rately together at all points of the extended orchestra ; and
the occasional breathing of a note in the upper part of the
scale of some of the wind instruments reminded us of me-
chanical difficulty, or the limited nature of human attainment.
The wind band, moreover, as usual, was not perfectly in tune.
The Funeral March was well executed, and the delightfullY
playful Scherzo given with great neatness and point. The
effect of the horns in the trio to the Scherzo was ad-
mirable ; and the very high note; to which the principal
of those instruments ascends, played in a masterly manner.
The last movement was also finely played. The sustaining of
the melody by the wind instruments was superb, and the lower
notes of the clarionet in an accompaniment strikingly beautiful.
The sinfonia occupied nearly an hour in the performance. The
second piece was Itossini's quartetto, from William rt"„P
" Decisa e la sua sorte," sung by Mrs. Bishop, Messrs. Hobbs.
Phillips, and Stretton. There was nothing very particular in
the execution of this fine piece. Mrs. Bishop sustained her part
very respectably, and Mr. Phillips's fine voice was very ace-
tire. A concerto on the pianoforte, the composition of Men-
delssohn, followed. Although very clever music, it was devoid
of interest for the generality, and notwithstanding the remark- •
ably fine playing of Mrs. Anderson, did not seem to be received
with much enthusiasm, We were sorry to hear that the lady
mentioned was much indisposed, in fact we should not have
gathered it freon her style of performance, which was replete
with her accustomed richness and energy. A Recitative and
Duette of Paisiello, by Mrs. Bishop and !Mademoiselle
Placci followed. It was the first appearance in this country
of the last-mentioned songstress. 'l'hc.Duetto was well sung.
Mademoiselle Placci possesses a remarkably rich quality of
voice, with abundant execution, and appears to be an exquisite
musician. Her voice is deep in pitch and sufficiently flexible,
hut she appears to sing with some degree of effort. Von Weber'a •
spirited overture to " Euryanthe" concluded the First Part of -
the concert. This piece was perhaps better player.l than any
of the full pieces. Mozart's well-known Sinfonia in C, opened
the Second Part, It is refreshing at all times to hear
the pure and chaste effects of Mozart,- after being satiated with
the intricacy and ingenuity of the composers who succeeded
him ; but although fiely:played, it did not strike us that " Jupi-
ter" (the name by which this composition is designated), "5
more effective now than we heard it at least twenty years ago.
Mademoiselle Placci next sang Mozart's celebrated aria--
" Parto, ma to ben mio," with Mr. Willman's exquisite eta-
ri net accompaniment. In this aria the new singer made a
decided impression, and was applauded most enthusiastically
and unanimously. Mr. Blagrove, in Mayseder's second con-
certino for the violin, realized our most sanguine expectations.
He played in a most masterly style of execution, and with a deli-
esey, finish, and perfection of tone, that procured for him repeated
demonstrations of most cordial approval from the auditory, and ,
concluded amidst shouts of " bravo." Spohr's duetto—" Sh°
blooms a floweret," sung by Messrs. Hobbs and Phillips, is, ,
a vast deal of his music, exceedingly heavy. Some rich
effects are produced in the accompaniment by the wind
instru•
merits, particularly the horns and trombones ; but, singularly
enough, the very same passages, and by the very same in-
struments, are introduced in a chorus in his " Last Judg-
ment." Cherubini's spirited overture to " Fanisica," played'
in fine style, as is usually the case, amidst the confusion o(
uarties leaving the room, concluded the concert.
The room was filled, but not inconveniently crowded, an •
a very general feeling of satisfaction was felt at the success of
the first meeting of the season. The concert was undoubtedly
a fine one, but it would be presumption on the part of any of
its members, or friends, to say it did riot exhibit detects .
which may be amended at future meetings, if not " reformed
altogether."
We should have stated that the orchestra was condureeed,.
with his accustomed energy and general ability, by Sir Georg°
Smart ; and that Mr. Francois Cramer occupied the station
assigned to the principal first violin, es leader of the band.
The Belfast Committee has excited, we under'
stand, the wonder of lawyers, and the envy of 'all who seek
aftcr riches, It has clearly established titles, which defied
legal acuteness, and has created in two instances at least, 5001.
a-year, where other men cannot find the tenth part of the sum.'
It is said to be in possession of both the ring of Solomon,
and the philosopher's stone,
so that it sees invisible thin, s,
and transmutes bog earth into virgin gold. Mr. O'Cor,,e;ll,
it must, we believe, now he admitted, spoke
tinadrisedi,y, when
he censured Election Committees; ho was ignorant
of their
vast powers ; and what he &soar 'lse(l as false and scandalous
was only great magic vistue, such as 1":3 been displayed on
the Belfast Cormittee,, which he did nos. compreher.d.
StilV.lW..—Andrew Martin. French Consul,:
ves;cling at 'No. 3, Suffolk-placer Trafalgar-square;, terminated
his existence about ten o'elock yesterday by blowing out hie
brains. The unfortisee4-e gentleman committed the rash net
by plasmg his,tomple on the muzzle of his gun, and touching
the i(alitger with his toe. The cause of the committal of the
unfortunate act has net yet transpired.

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