The Portland daily press., 1871-01-20
Theodore Th.n.., Cen.r..

City Hall was well filled last evening with
Just such an appreciative audience as is always
| called out by the Thomas concerts, and it the
number present was somewhat smaller than
| on the occasion of the last appearance OF Inc
finest orchestra in the country 1t must De part
ly attributed to the fact that there were sever
al other entertainments, private as well as pub
| lie, to interfere, and also that while no doubt,
many were in attendance from the suburban
towns. there were no excursion parties UNDER
taken as in October last, and no extra trains
were run. Taking these facts into considera-
ton we were pleased to see SO many present.
At few minutes past eight Mr.. Thomas sa-
luted the audience and, raising lis baton, the
"Anacreon" which for its vigor and character,
its admirably drawn outlines, and it's vast
grandeur stands forth model Of its kind and
was rendered with a most exquisite finish, as
Well as intensity of Instrumentation. Follow
ing the overture came the Allegretto move
ment to Beethoven's Eighth Symphony, most
lovely in its character, and executed with great
freedom, oelicacy and power, at the same time
that the playing was marked by the exquisite
poetic beauties of the work of the performers.
BY request Mr.. Thomas gave Weber's "Invita-
ton la Dauss" with its brilliant coloring, its
pleasing melody and its seductive measures. as
arranged by Berlioz, as only such an orchestra
can since 1t requires so many instruments to
form so large an orchestralas Berlioz's COMPOST
lions require to give adequate expression to the
music. The closing number on the first part of
the programme was the Mendelssohn Concerto
for piano in G mlnor-performed by Miss Anpa
Mehlig assisted by the orchestra and this selec-
ton with the Beethoven quartette, formed per-
maps the leading features of the evening. Miss
Mehlig only confirmed the opinion expressed
On former occasion that for consum mate taste
in phrasing, fnen ess and frmpess of touch
where those qua lites are required and per-
feet understanding of the composer she towers
far above the most of the great piauists. How
exquisitely rendered was the beautiful melo-
dy of the allegro and how magnifcently were
her tone-pictures framed by the orchestra We
regret that she was not complme nted with an
encore as she deserved, even if, owing to the
length of the concerts, she had only bowed her
The second part opened with the overture to
"kienzr' composition Of Wagner's that while
we cannot say we admire iG we must vet con.
fess we are fascinated by it as we wonder what
new surprise will be evoked in the form of
pleasing harmony out OF the crash of brass and
roll of drums. Opening with a stately meas
ure it wanders into a discord that in turn gives
place to a most peculiar barbaric march which
again changes into somewhat pathetic meas.
ure to wander back all at once into the strains
Of the march. While we cannot say it has The
charm for US that belongs to the Vorspiel from
Lohengrin it is preferable to the majority of the
cratic composers works aud especially the
grand base which is never lost sight o! through
all the contortions of the other instruments.
Like change from troublous dream to
sweet refreshing slumber was that from the
Riepzi overture to the Beethoven quartette.
In its measures so sweet, SO solemn so pathetic,
like those one would expect to hear the great
tone-master draw from the organ In the still
ness OF the night in some quaint old cathedral
breathing peace and hope and forgiveness to
the erring, 1t elected q rapturous encore, and
we do not wonder, judging by this work-one Of
quartette in his latest writings. The remain
der of the programme does not call for especial
mention, being composed of the pleasing dance
music of Strauss, including a noisy Polka
Schnell, and the charming overture to Zimpa,
With the exception of the dreaming Chopin
Socturne. and the lively, weird List Taran-
ellie which, it seemed to US, introduced the old
amilar strains of "Come Ger the Moonlight
Sea" in most taking manner played by Miss
Mehlig in style that left nothing to be desir-
ID, and which ELECTED an encore, and In re-
'ponse she favored rs with a dreamy little
The new stage gave ample accommodations |
TO the musicians, SO that there was not the |
cast appearance of crowding. We hope to.
night, it being the last concert will witness an
audience present such as this splendid enter
'anment Justly deserves, especially when we
nform our readers it will be the last appear
ance of this celebrated orchestra in this city for
several years.