Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1870-04-27


Wonderful O,ehestra-- Mss lNehlig-Eas
ter Sanday-Te Easter Oratorios- The
Funeral Of -Anson Burliagame.
BosroN, April, %, 1870.
For several weeks past, a perfect food of
melody has been poured in upon Emusic mad
Boston, and that of the best kind, too
There were the Thomas concerts-the Har-
ward Symphony concerts, besides innumera-
bic others which have delighted all who were
fortunate enough to be present. AS sort of
grand windup TO this harmonic furore, came
Mr.. Peck's benefit, week ago last Wednes-
day evening and as might be expected, Music
Hall was filled to its utmost capacity. The
odore Thomas and his well trained orchestra
took prominent part in the evenings enter
tainment and such music as was invok ed from
that medley OF stringed and wind instruments
words fail to express my intense enjoyment
and appreciation of that rare harmony, from
the loud swelling tone, down to the exquisite
ly modulated piano tone, which bated the
breath, and sounded in its far away cadence,
as can imagine the Divine choir may sound
it in orchestral playing until Mr.. Thomas came
here, and no true lover of the art should miss
an opportunity of enjoying SO rich treat.
Mr.. Thomas, himself, seems the embodiment
of music, and as he easily and gracefully
guides the baton, with his head just little
inclined to catch each strain, it takes but
short stretch of imagination to invest the tiny
bit of wood with the magic of a fairy wand.
impelled by the genii of his marvellous power.
Miss Mehig is another sensation and out
rivals even Miss Topp, who was so deserved
ly popular during her tarry here She came
very quietly, without any flourish of adver-
tisements, or commendatory notices, but Bos-
ton-not slow to award the just need to mu-
steal excellence, discovered at the FIRST that
she was the best pianist that had been here
for long time. She has played at the sew
eral Thomas concerts with eminent success.
She is thought to resemble Beethoven, and
certainly, she seems inspired by some of the
genius of those old composers, and / thought
while listening to her remarkable playing-if
the spirits of those illustrious composers could
return to earth, what congregation must have
gathered to hear the efforts of these men and
women, who have made their works a life
study! Combined with nice execution. Miss
Mehlig makes the instrument wonderfully ex-
pressive-and expression is most effective,
after all, for although any work may be rem
dered with perfect accuracy and precision,
yet if it lacks soul-feeling -expression-th
audience feels that there is a vacuum some
where, although they may be unable to an
alyze it.
Miss Phillips sang, and it is quite unneces-
sary to aver that her effort was well apprecia-
ted, and won an enthusiastic encore. Miss
Lizzie NJ. Yates also sang in pleasing man
ner, and with the Torch Light March, closed
the entertainment.
Last Sunday was Easter Sunday, and many
of the churches were beautifully adorned with
flowers, in commemoration of the same. The
Easter Oratorios were given on Saturday and
Sunday evenings, by the Handel and Haydn
Society. Saturday evening Handels Orato-
rio of the "Creation" was given, which drew
fair house, considering the outside attrac-
tons. The soloists were Miss Houston, Mr..
Edward Prescott, and M. w. Whitney. On
the following evening, the Elijah" was given