New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1871-01-28
MUSIC AND THE DRAMA.
MUSIC.

MUSIC.
RETURN OF THE THOMAS oRCHEsfkA-bENEfir
OF MISS MEHILG.
Mr. Theodore Thomas had cordial and
ll1eserved welcome last night at stenway Hail from
an and,epce I'm which and fashionable circles
,,h largely represented He has made such brilliant
eur with his co performers during the past two
that his return 10 New-York something in the ma
rare of triumph. Certainly there few artists to
whom VIC owe heartier tribute Of admiration. Even our
philharmonic Society," splendid s record is and grand
- its performances always are, has not done moro
for art than this young, enthusiastic and scien-
tc leader who does every night In the week such
work the Philharmonic Society does six times In the
year IL is not fair TO expect that orchestra which
travels much and performs necessarily that II has
time practice should play with the same exquisite
ansh organization that has abundant leisure and
frequent rehearsas; hut safely say that The
philharmonic orchestra never played better than MT
ThOmass did last night in spirit vigor, eIaotness ana
refinement the performance wasalmost above criticism
The following the programme:
PARrI
Adagio Prometheus Bee ,,n
Concerto No l. flat List
Miss Anna Mehng.
Introduction TO the sd Act OF "Modca ChernoiIi
Prelude and fOsn' M n R Risor Mciis i'"'n
Qusrtet,e, No. s. Opus rs Arranged Tor String
PoIOnase 6riiiiantc opus ~ Instrumentation wo,o,
nv Asst
O' A-'SA'''''' Miss Anna Mchiie
Cavalry March, Instrumental ny
This gave us QUO OF those Of good things, con-
cert in which there was not weak a resome num-
Der IL WIS al delicious To begin with, the orchestra
ltlins a great many admirable soopayers. Inc
harp bassoon cello double bass, tuba, trombone tMr
LetSeh, SUPPOSED, and bute are especially wen nan
died. Then the whole band, by long association TO-
sether has become perfectly homogeneous and sympa
Aactic II plays like man. There Is no stragsnng'
ainfy
Who know Theodore Thomas only by his
Summer endorsements have no Idea Whatever
Of the perfection which his sixty men have now been
brought The "Tannhaaser" overture was never given
better in York than they last night The ex
auiste adagio from Beethovens "Prometheus" ballet
with the intricate obbngao passage for harp, cello,
slarionet nute and bassoon was the Quntessence OF
poetry and perfect example both Of smooth playing
and refined Interpretation. The Goldmark Scherzo
(which IL quite new to this city) tested the
proficiency OF the orchestra in another way
for it begins in hayward, We might almost
say fantastic STYLE calling for the utmost spirit, com
timed greatest precision Of tempo and Gehcacy
of shading, and opens, into broad movement In the
composers richest and most elevated manner. This
also was given with hardly a flaw. The selection from
Medea" and the familiar Beethoven quartette, ampli
d 10 the strength of all the LIST and I'd vions vOlas
and ceos we're played with characteristic care and on
being recalled after the latter, Mr. Thomas gave the
popular Traimered of schumann The audience tes-
tined their approval OF this SELECTION py an ehpnsuo
round of applause as as they recognized It,
But Miss Mehg after all deserved the place OF honor
sn our notice the concert for her benefit We
need hardly say that she warmly greeted by pub
lie with which she has always been prime favorife
She played iszt concerto With all that perfect nnish
that sentiment, and that absolute sef-command TOT
which we have 80 often admired her. and we do not be
eve the graces Of this fascinating composition could be
more charmngy exhibited than by the fingers OF this
charming artist In Weber's PolOnaise TO which
IAsEt has added beautiful orchestral accompaniment
she was hardly less admirable; but 1t was In the Bach
xugue Originally written for the organ and transcribed
for the piano by sZt that she achieved the most genu
the success. We know OF nobody except Miss krebs
who can play q fugue with such absolute nnlsn ana
make ii at the same time beautiful and apparently 80
free 1t is unnecessary to compare the two artists they
are 20 different that comparisons would only m1siead
each lie delightful in her own way For an encore hiss
Mehlig played q piece OF 6chuberts Transcribed by
Llszt-
The concert closed with LISTS arrangement for orches
fra Of schuberts Cavalry March "a superb crown 70
superb entertainment For our part we went away re-
GREETING that the concert not an hour longer and
looking forward with impatience TO the second and
aias the last performance, which Ii promised for this
evening.