The New York herald., 1870-05-08
AMUszMHNTs.

THE LAST PHILHARMONIC C0SCERr.-The Academy
OF Music was crowded, as usual last night as the
numerous friends OF the Philharmonic Society
thronged to hear their last musical essay
this season. The programme was varied
enough, but not as q general thing, UP 10 tue
required standard OF merit. Beethoven fur-
nished an overture and part Of plano
concerto mo. "Fdelio'' and the first moyement
oil Opus IS in Gl. Schumann was represented by
one OF his lovelest symphonies mo. IN q, opus OH
wagner gave the finale TO his 'Meistersanger."
1aae INDUCED In "reminiscences OF "0ssian" IN the
form of an overture and that terrible pest OF
all musicians, Liszt came In with chorus
nom his oratorio. "Die Heilige Elisabeth"
ana varied treatment. and has been played before by
the society few years ago. Mr. Bergmann In IL
seemed not to have sufficient consideration for hls
devoted followers for the tempo In the scherzo and
finale was something terrible. An army of Paganinls
could not do justice TO the Immensely difficult
string passages In both those movements at the
rate IN which they were driven and some parts OF
the scherzo We're merely scramble among the yo-
Inns. Miss Mehg played the concerto with her usual
delicacy finish ana sprittteie expression, and gave
the interpoated cadenza by Hans Won Bnlow
with spirit ana completeness. This cadenza is
Tor the occasion. extending OVER y'' eight
pages OF manuscript, but IL has as much
red9rencs 70 the concerto as ihe Welding March
the Heroic symphony. We are willing 10 absolve
Wagner from many OF his capital sins against
music, on account OF the magnificent finale he
gave last night. 1t was sung by the Aron Society
mixed chorusl, with tenor and baritone solos
by Messrs. Candiius and Remmertz. The style,
Instrumentation. cooring and effects are entirely
those OF "i4ohengrn.n lhe solos were beyond the
powers OF The two gentlemen 10 whom they were
entrusted, lying wholly In tue upper registers Of
both voices aud calling forth srrdent enorts which
few voices arc capable OF sustaining There
were many palpabe breaks In the render
ing last night The instrumentation, especially
In the episodial passages, was characterized
by the true Wagneran devll-may -carlsnness. Re
miniscences OF Weber came in occ lsonaly. Gade's
work Is rather fragmentary, but good throughout.
rhe Danish composer has lew equals in Europe at
the present day. and he IL mastery In.
terpreter OF any subject. II anything could
surpass In pure mus cal insanity the Dante
his oratoro played and sung last night 10 is the
yeriest nonsense mat ever entered the human mind
OF Introductory breakdown ior the trombones 1t
wanders, bellows, strides aud INDUCES In the
extraordinary pranks 81. Elizabeth OF Hungary must
have been martyr or the rst water, II she suffered
one-haf OF what the auditors OF her musical blogra-
ply endure whenever they are compelled TO listen to
II. Tne last notes Of the dying swan said to be
| the sweetest. so. 1t was with the raaLe OF the
| last concert or the Philharmonic Society.
| Beethoven's overture il the best OF the
| "Fidelio' or "Leonora,r being more spontaneously
| melodious and addressing itself 10 every one capa-
BILE OF appreciating music. Now that the society has
cl sed It's aSors for the season, few words O adj
vice would not be Inappropriate Let them pay
|
| nothing but frst class music on them. Lszt
| should be entirely thrown overheard with The
| sole exception OF his 'Preludesr They must be
careful their selection Of solosis and close their
| doors against mere amateurs. Such Instrumen al
lists ~ Mills, Mehlig ana Ole Bull, and such vocalsts
| as Parepa and Kellogg. are always welcome to the
puolc, but amateurs should be compelled To seek
other occasions to display their crudencss. Again,
whenever there IL occasion for choral singing let
| AZ have some OF Meyerbeer'a Webers operatc
Edies even lnose of the Italian masters and let
the chOruses be properly placed, so that they may
not be overpowcred by the orchestra. Lastly, We
decidedly object to the programmes furnished Ia
| the audience. They explain nothing. and treat Oi
great works as If ryDody understood all aboul
\ them. Even the minstrcls ana buresque thea
| tres do more to satisfy Their patrons. lie,
| each programme have either condensed
history or explanation Of each Work, that the
| Philharmonic audience can know what they ar
Tie society has prospered to unexpected extent
under the presidency OF DR.. Doremus, AMI 10 him
| particular their thanks are due Tor much OF I'll,
| financial success OF the past sea son.
| TAMMANY.--The varied attractions NJ this popula
place or amusement continue to draw large and dc
lighted audiences. Last night there was fu
| house and the numerous favorltcs were all well re
promised for the coming week. Among other move
performances in this city a short time since az
| tracted much attention. Will commence u brief sea
| son on Monday. Tammany IL growing IN popular ty
owing no doubt to the constant changes In the Dru
| grainme and The quality OF the entertainmen
served up.