New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1871-01-09
MUSIC AND THE DRAMA
NlTSIC.

tainmcnt:
SYMPHONY. Ocean" .................. Rurinstoin.
Concerto Tor piano, c minor, (drst
movement Mf. Richard Hoaa aii. ''''''"'
Overture. Anacreon" ............ .Cherubini
Barcarole from tOe fourth piano cCoou,e p...,,
MIR Richard Hoffman.
Overture q" Ruy Bias ............- .Mendelssohn'
Ruunseins symphony does not belong TO that bastard
order Of compositions called programme music" which
need a page of description to explain what they are
yainy attempting TO mitseas If music had no higher
aim than reproduce the sounds Of nature or TO describe
by narticulate scenes, and sentiments which can
he much bctIer expressed in written language Men
elssOhn used 60 say that words and sentences seemed To
him ambiguous vague and uninteigbe when compared
with genuine music which fills the soul with thousand
things better than words When some one asked what
his idea was in certain Song without Words lac re-
pltcd Just the song IL stands" Interpretation was
Impossible, because the idea already clad IN ue
smpes and dearest form OF expression Of which was
capable. In the higher kinds OF music misealed ueS-
srisve the voices Of nature suggestedust as are
certain affections Of the mind-but not initiated. in
She Pastoral Symphony of Beethoven for instance
reminded of the of the birds and the BROOKS
everlasting hymn of rusting branches, the undehna
which nils the summer air; but there is no mi
sstion Of the sounds OF the woods and fields no portion
of the symphony which can lie translated into words or
represented picture. 1t Is the with Rubinstens
Ocean symphony. The ripping undulatons OF bound
Jess sea- the OF angry waters, the teros OF the
storm The beauty OF the sleeping eApanse, the
gentle melody that plays about the ships Prov when the
winds are hushedwe think Of all this listen 10 The
music and feel that II must have al passed through
the composers mind, but we cannot write under any
particular page of the score, This Is tempest or
This Is a grOund-sweli,' "This is a calm In the
Southern Ocean" If asked what the leading
ideas suggested 10y the Symphony, We answer. i'm
rnensty and irresistible force Both these are indicated
with wonder distmctness in the first movement
taegro macstoso). wherein rather simple theme is
treated with admirable breadth, and wrought into
sweeping forssimo passage worthy of one of the old
classical composers. The second movement (adagio)
opening with graceful duet between the strings and
yeed and the scherzo wherein the lively measure gives
place for time TO few islOw and almost m0uInfu
phrases. are distinguished for clear and spontaneous
melody The final allegro con fuOco embodies some
Of the mostpowerfu writing and richest instrumental
zion in the whole work. Here the idea Of repressed
force, which has all along been occasionally pecePhle
get the mastery; and when the terroTs OF
nature show their fun power we are taught 20 look
shove for safety the symphony reaches its climax in an
adaptation of Luthers choral, - Stronghold is our
God"not treated indeed, with very marked strength,
hut most inCcniously and strikingy introduced The
work Us a whole leaves excellent impression It's
effects arc attained by thoroughly legitimate means ana
IN forcibe, compact and distinct writing we knO" OF
Few compositions OF the modern school TO compare with
81. We need hardly say 0he work being Rubnstemsl
thGf the harmOnes superb and that the handling OF
the different cOmpODens OF the orchestra affords noble
study.
Cheruhnis delightful overture'seem TO grow frcsher
avery time 1t Is played II good, honest hearty music
bich rous.s m a mans blood like the expansive force
NJ bracing mountain air MendelssOhns Ruy Bias is
another nyieorating piece OF music and is always
eapa selection FOR the cOe because 1t sends us nome
In fine spirits and besides that people do not go away
An the midst OF It, It's performance on saturday was
about perfect All the pieces were well rendereoi put
gofth was remarkable.
There is little 10 be said about Mr. Hofmans playing
eycept what have often said before mat III echh
cal accuracy IN refinement and IN grace Is almost
xhout bemsh. lie Is one Of the best 5merCan inter
treters Of Beehoyeus piano music and he gave the trs
movement Of the c minor concerto delicOusly Even
nettor This however was his playing OF the lovely Bar
sarole Of sterndao Bennetr-one Of the most exqus-
stely delicate hits Of execution that We ever heard
on piano. lie recalled after H. and played little
1iece-Ne believe his own-cOncciyed in a somewhat
simlar spirit
The audience was OF the customary excellent quality
and al least as large as usual. There has beeh slight
statement Of the nuisance caused 10y people coming IN
;aie that 20 say although the first movement oi the
,ymrhouy was seriously disturbed 10y tardy arrivals,
there were many bcIsted ladies and gentlemen who
Kindly waited at the door until the movement was ended
FOR which courtesy they doubtless received the silent
thanks the house. The directors purpose hereafter
adopting and Just rule which is explained IN the
following polite notice affixed TO the programmes Oh sat
prdly:
sb corsip % the serious srnosuce persons
the house during Performance Of music 81
an hess. Enjoyment oithe first movement of The symphony
tbo,uAe iupo,se Directors therefore respectfully request All
sho msy honor Philharmonic Concerts Rebesr4s With their
R.snoe tr seats at the commencement Of the performances
.. ste Tie lobby Gns the movement actually IN progress
san be- concluded.
~ Director, e sure ladies and gentlemen viii iue regard TO
s feeling. Of other, particular, the moment their attention
,,e 10 Be repeated by strangers or
.,, the Directors order doors TO be closed
rtsuiRe ssaI and 0use i ol
Aes,se lie 10 between TIE movements
MUSICAL NOTES.
Max Maretzek has engaged the entire Ger
man opera company lately singing At the sadt Theater,
and has taken Philadelphia. whence he will shortly
40 10 Boston.
Alsatians residing in New-YoTk are making
,,eparatops for grand concert raise funds for their
entering countryrnen. The cement Of the affair
has been entrusted to Prof r. L. Ritter, Who Is native
Of strasbOIg.
Theodore Thomas is TO begin n short series
Of orchestral concerts in Boston tomorrow evening We
ar, eatfed 10 learn that he will give two OF his admir-
hle performances al seinway Hall IN this city the
21t1 and 2sth OF the present month Mt Ihoihas has
been long absent, and musicians and cOnno,sst1s
viii heartily welcome ms return hiHH ADh" ''eHHs
wiIl appear Win him
Miss Kellogg's appearance in oratoUo next
,ek for the 1rst time uNew YOrk viii De watched with
great deal interest. We anticipate for her popular
and In many respects artistic success Tor sie is
.hon nv her recent assumption Of heavy tragic role
IL "TrOyatort" that she possesses powers OF higher
SinS maj me BosGn Handel and Haydn Society
anxious her services for their great IlleDhln
FESTIVAL in May.
A concert was given last night at st. Ste
pbens r. C. Church by Sig Le Franc, Miss Clara Perl,
AHA Jenny Busk Miss Alma Krause, Six Coletu' and
toerae orchestiatbe whole being under the direction
sfMr H. b. Danforth who nearly ruined Miss Perl's first
- pff.fa