The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1870-10-19

The unauimity with which he was called to
that pastorate argues we'll for the prosperity
OF the church and people.
The Themes Concert.
10 say that one of the largest and certainly
the most critical and apprecative audience
ever collected in our splendid City Hall, was
| in attendance upon the concert last evening
| gathered together, not only from our own city,
but also from other parts of the State, gives but
a slight idea of the results that have been
brought about (as shown by this display of the
love of the people for good music), since the
Thomas Orchestra made their bow to Port
land audience in the autumn of 1869. As Mr..
| Thomas took his place upon the leaders stand
warm applause greeted him which he fitt'pgly
recognized, and Immediately raised his baton
for the commencement of the opening overture
from Webers "Euryanthe.' This opera of
| Weber's, although it does not begin to possess
those popular features that so enchant an audi
ence as exhibited in "Precio.a" and "Der
Freischuts," is dramatically speaking much
more important work than either of them and
the overture is fine piece of classical compost
ton including most beautiful fugue which
we are sorry to say was only too brief and was
splendldly rendered by the full orchestra
Next followed the andante movement to Schu-
berts great symphony in c., which Men,
delssohn and Schumann pronounced to be the
finest orchestral composition after Beethoven.
1t is a most touching composition, the strains
so sad and tender, commencing with solemn
majestic movement which gives prominence to
the clarionet, and in the passage where the
| horn is heard-lke an echo from some celestial
reglon-it seems as if an angel from the other
world was stealing through the orchestra
breathing spirit of love and peace. The Con-
o'rto for piano by Chopin introduced Mss
Mehllg TO our citizens. The lady is quite tall
W tn an unmistakeable German face which. as
she came upon the stage, was wreathed in
smiles, but her manner was entirely free from
anything like egotism and, as she took her seat
at the Steinway grand piano provided for her
rather awkwardly perhaps-there was that
slight antclpatory rustic among her audience
| that betokened the interest that her appear
| ance created. What shall we say of her play
| ing that others have not said before. How pli
able her fingers and how certain, crisp and
| correct her touch. How perfectly did she un.
derstand the requirements of Der author as at
| one time she deneated that SUBTLE delicate,
dreamy ooesy which is tho prominent feature
OF Chopin's compositions, at another the full
and swelling crescendos, at another the 'passa-
ges requiring delicate treatment in a manner
we never have heard equalled. As one of the
best OF critics says, "she has remarkable power
as well as deicacy, and best of ALL the soul and
spirit OF her music possesses her.. The audi
ence displayed their appreciation of the con.
certo, not so much by applause as by their
quiet enjoyment of Miss Mehlig's playing
The first part closed with the prelude to
Wagner's opera Of "Lohengrin," which like all
the music of that author is thoroughly realistic,
and although the composer is a great favorite
of Liszts we have not heard of any other great
musician who thoroughly admires him. Mr..
Thomas believes in giving his audiences taste
| OF everything, and so we have this weird crea-
| ton, beginning with the violins which descend
from their highest notes to their lowest when
the wind instruments take up the theme, and
then the subject is worked back, by the same
graduation of sound, to the upper notes of the
violin again which breathe forth a singularly
solemn and curious melody, if melody it can
be called, the whole prelude resembling the
wailing of the wind at one time, sobbing way
only to burst forth in mad rage like demon
1
| tie chorus.
Part Second gave us the delicious, sparkling
overture to the "Merry Wives Of Windsor,
light in texture but charming for its clear de-
sign and vigorous tone. Then came that de-
lightful "Schlummerlied" of Buergers, SINH
lar in Style to the 'Traeumerei" of Schumann,
which afforded an opportunity to display the
pianissinao movement on the harp, and which
may be considered the gem of the concert 1t
was of ravishing sweetness, and in response to
an encore Mr. Thomas kindly gave the charm
ing "Traeumerei." The "Campanella" of
Lszt was most effectively rendered by Miss
| Mehlig, who, in response to = hearty encore,
played charming little posthumous fantasia
| of Chopin's, which was most excellently exc
| cuted, every note falling from her fingers clear
as crystal. A waltz of Strauss came in next
very acceptably, bright and sparkling like all
his dance music, putting quicksilver into the
shoes of the listeners. Mr.. Hartdegsn played
solo for the violincello, entitled Sounds from
the Alps" that closed with delicate pianist
mo movement SO plaintive as to almost bring
tears to the eyes, and was full of the home
sickness that is to DO found in all those Alpine
airs. The ''Pizzicato Polka" Of Strauss was
/
have thought of it, the musicians playing the
p zzcato on the stringed instruments instead
Of using the bow. The concert closed with the
overture to Flotow' /. charming opera of "Stra-
| della
Fine as has been the programmes of other
concerts given here by Thomas, we think last
nights surpassed them all. Not little Of the
charm of Miss Mehlig's and Mr.. Hartdegen's
playing was owing to the unequalled accompa-
niments of the1orchestra. Tonight bill is
offered in honor of Beethoven, such as will
never be heard again probably in this city, and
We shall expect to see even a more crowded
house tonight to listen to listen to the magnifi
cent Choral Fantasia, at which the Haydn As
ISOLATION assist, the delicious Septett and the
Symphony in minor.
WooD STEALINa.-For some time past Mes
SrS. Abel SAWYER 81 Co. on COmmerca1 street