New-York tribune., 1871-05-01
MUSIC AND THE DRAMA.
MUSIC.


TIE ARIOE SOCIETY AND THE NEW CONDUCTOR.
DR.. Leopold Damrosch, who was formally
introduced to the New-York public Saturday evening
is kdpeilmeiSfr at Bresau and enjoys In Germany
most excellent reputation BY education we believe he
Is lawyer but for long time past he has abandoned
legal pursuits Ia order to devote himself TO tho art which
ensts all his sympathies and for which he has an unms
taxable genius. He has visited Amer.a on n two
months leave OF absence with the purpose OF establish
ing himself here permanently in he receive sufficient
encouragement. The Arion Society, under whose aus
pices he came forward at stcnway Han Saturday
ing anxious TO secure his services, and announced
him on the bills their leader" but the engage
ment understand is yet only temporary and condl-
tona and Dr. Damrosch's appearance at this concert
may therefore be regarded his Gasirote He showed
his abilities in the triple character OF conductor, com
poser and executant and may say that in all
respects he instantly and most cordially recognized
accomplished master. An orchestra or
eighty performers selected principally from the
Philharmonic Society, was placed at his disposal
for performance OF Beothovcn's Heroic Symphony
and wagncrs Faust" overture. 1t would, OF course,
be unfair to Judge from this what he could do with
band permanently under his direction. He had only one
rehearsal before the concert but with that one he
plished wonders We missed little perhaps, of that
delicious softness and dreamy poetca tone which the
Philharmonic Orchestra sometimes atains, especially in
the slow paniSsimo movements of Beethoven; but this
warm coloring which distinguished Dr. Damrosch's in
depreciation. His conception Of Beethoven, think,
will satisfy the students Of that mighty composer moro
perfectly than that of any other leader in this country
There are passages in the Heroic Symphony which
seemed perfectly clear to until we heard them
Saturday night. and the grandeur, majesty ond fiery
splendor of the work seemed 10 more fully oX-
pressed. And nevertheless the players evidently failed
of doing Justice to their directors Intentions There was
material in the band the horns were very
much at fault; and owing we suppose, TO the cOndtoh
Of the atmosphere and the great length OF the
symphony, it impossible TO keep the strings
in tune Sill there be doubt of DIR. Damroschs
eminence a conductor. He is not satisfied with marx
ing the time and indicating the croscendos He pays the
most minute attention the dynamics OF compostion
really leads every instrument with certain peculiar
(but not extravaganD motions of his own which cannot
be misunderstood. He il quick nervous, sefpossesed
and, above ALL TO be full Of that personal magnet
ism 30 essential to good conductor but in its highest
manifestations so very rare. Finally he conducts with
ont noise. Nervous and fiery he l., his directions are
given sently-with "A motion OF the eyebrows, gesture
OF the hand and he commits the vulgar oensc so
common TO inferior leaders, OF rappng on the STAND dur
ing the progress OF the music As choral director Dr.
DanrosCh is also successful The Aon male chorus sang
four pieces under his baton-Schumann's LotoS6inhe,
Schuberts Gondeahrer and two OF his own, Die
Ausfahrt and HurrGh, Germdnia! The execution was
somewhat by two at but vigorous tenor5,
but the spirit and shading were admirable.
DR.. DamrOsch in the next place Is superb yioinist
He chose Mcntelssohns concerto for the violin III E
minor,-a work with which all musical audiences are
thoroughly familiar. The opening allegro was given
rather faster than is common and confirmed us In the
impression had formed from the symphony That his
fault would be found to be excess of impeuosity-
that hi, music though always perfectly finished and cor
rect would be- il may the expression too hot too
fercey spirited But the andante one Of the most
exquisite and sympathetic interpretations we have ever
heard. and final allegro aroused perfect storm or
applause. His tones not especially rich, but they are
infably true, and his execution is both brilliant and
conscientious.
Besides the two songs which we have mentioned, Dr.
Damrosch gave " Fest Overture" Of his own, written
for full orchestra 1t is conceived in the spirit OF the
modern school, and plainly betrays the composers al
mraion for both Lszt aud Wagner though 1t is not an
imitation The instruments vigorously and ingeni-
ousy handled, the harmonic combinations are highly
effective and the whole work is constructed with the
skill of a thorough scientific musician Like nearly
everything else on the programme it was received WIN
enthusiasm only solo vocalist Rosen
brIgl., who sang the Al! eredea. Mr.. RcmIGertz
was announced for a song, but lie did not appear.
Dr. Damrosch is to play at the next Philharmonic Con-
cert and Rehearsal, in place OF Vieuxtemps.