The New York herald., 1872-11-17
Am U s E M EN- rs.



First Philharmonic Concert.
The Academy OF Music was crowded last evening
from parquet to dome. The time-honored society
commenced their thirty first season under the most
favorable auspices. They made hit in engaging
the best soloist who has ever appeared at their
concerts. The name and fame OF Rubinstein could
not fail to attract every one who loved music. He
was in his most inspired mood. His own concerto,
No. T. in minor, to which we have alluded in de-
tail after his first concert in this city, formed the
piece de resistance of the evening. Never before
during the season did the great pianist stand
forth in such colossal proportions. With an
orchestra OF trained veterans and con-
ductor who reflected every phase OF the COM
posers IDEAS the performance OF the pianist became
labor OF love. The delightful andante in the Sec
ond movement, in which there occurs tender dia-
losue between the piano and the clari0net (Mr.
Boehm played the latter instrument like thorough
artist, was worthy OF special mention in the pro-
gramme. Then in the stormy finale the wonderful
power of the pianist revealed to It's fullest
tent One would think that amid the hurry -burly
Of one hundred Instruments q pianist would be
swamped. II was far otherwise with Rubinstein.
Tne piano beneath his magic touch became the
commanding SPIRIT and the listener forgot strings,
reeds and brasses in the overwhelming tone of the
magnificent instrument that poured forth phrase
after phrase OF the wOndrOus work.
The second selection or Rubinsten was not o
happy one for the occasion. "Les Preludes'' OF
Chopin consist Of four pettes characteristic
more poetic certainly, but nevertheless equally
iragmentary. Rubinstein played four or five Of
them, but they were different in character that
even he could not reconcile musical mind to such
mosaic pattern in work Ofart. At Philharmonic
concert we like to hear work which founded on
one grand conception and not q set Of heteroge-
neous Ideas loosely strung together. After ''Les
prelIdes" i,aS came two works, the performance OF
| very nrSt rank OF musicians. These were the
mErl King, OF Schubert, and the march from "The
spoken in the most Ample terms of the wonderful
Illustration OF Schuberts romantic song by the
RUSSIAN pianist mist 1t i must be heard to be fully ap.
and afection Of the father, the seductive wooing OF
the spirit daughter and the threats Of the Erl King
that made the work as rendered by Rubinstein one
to be remembered for lifetime. In those mar
| ful steed could easily be recognized. In the se-
| lection from Beethoven the pianist gave such a
specimen ofdiminuendo that few would De willing to
than that, he produced an eoct similar to that OF
military band passing outside and disappearing
In the distance. The audience cheered and cheered
! again. and for the moment the Academy became
scene of intense excitement.
The orchestral works consisted OF the ''Tann.
Erdmaqpsderier apd the immortal SEVENTH SYM NJ
pn0ny BY Beethoven. The symphony was SUI
pshroy played especially the
direction OF the conductor, and, inspired doubt.
ha,o less oy the presence Of Rubinstein, they did
an e new Sy Mr. Them Er to
The composer is undoubtedly familiar with ali the
conspicuous by their absence. II would take
great deal Of unnecessary study and research to
Better have dropped it from the beginning from
the programme. The second concert takes place
on December Il, and the following programme VIII
then be given symphony, No. q, In G minor
new, Rafr; Iiebes Scene, b Fee Mab from SYM
phony "R0meO and Juliet" Berli0z; Overture,
'COnsecratiOn or the House," in major first
time), Beethoven.
Musical and Theatrical Notes.
The Sunday concerts at walack's and the Grand
Opera House announced for this evening are very
like in quality and quantity to those Of week ago.
The members of the Italian opera Company, in
Guiding Lenora Sanz, sing at the former, and Rubin
stein and Wieniawski are again the attractions at
the latter. This is to be the last Rubinstein con-
cert the "west sde,n and the last in the city for
some time
The experiment OF an afternoon opera house is
to be tried on Monday at the new Terrace Garden
Theatre by Madame Lichtmay's company III
Trovatore" is to be sung and on the same evening
"Don Giovanni will be repeated at the Academy.
AGerman opera company contending with the great
est OF German prime donne is novelty in New
York, but 1t is only another proof OF Teutonic de-
voton to music both in the Fatherland and In this
country.
The matinee OF chamber music at Stein way
Hall yesterday was OF more than ordinary in
terest. First there was better understanding
between the two great virtuosi and their assis-
tants, and consequently more equality in the
senble. Again, the works selected for the occasion
were attractive In the highest degree. A lively
quartet for piano. violin, viola and cello, by Schu-
man, the one In f nat Mozart's string quintet in
G minor, and Rubnstein's trio in B nat, were
rendered by Rubinstein, Wieniawski, Matzka,
Gofrrie, Schwarz and Bergner in superb style. Mr..
Grau announces series Of concerts on the return
OF Rubnstein and Wieniawski to this city, with
the valuable cooperation of Thomas orchestra.
There was an immense audience at the opera
matinee yesterday, as might be expected when
Madame Pauline Lucca Is announced to appear as
Marguerite in GOunod's Faust" or all the roles
she has essayed here this is the one that has made
the deepest impression on the public mind. There
was not point lost In the grandeur and pathos OF
the impersonaton yesterday, and applause loud
sincere and heightened, rewarded the artists
efforts after each act. or the other members the
cast entire praise is due to Mile. SAM and NJ
Janet, for their truly artistic rendering OF the
roles Of Siebel and Mephistopheles. on Monday
evening we are promised "Don Giovanni" for the
last time. "Mignonn and "Gli Ug0notti'' are In
active preparation.
Next week there will be two important changes
in the bills Of leading theatres Mr. and Mrs Bou-
cicault have finished their engagement at Booths
and on Monday evening Miss Nelson appears as
Juliet. At the Fifth Avenue Theatre the long
promised revival of 'sThe Merry Wives of Wind
sor," with Mr.. Charles Fisher FalstaH takes
place on Tuesday evening. 1t is not often that we
are able to see Shakspearian tragedy and comedy
in this city at the same time, but aside from this
these revivals have interest OF their own. There
has been no great Juliet since Miss ONeill retired
from the stage half century ago, and we have had
no Falstan since Hackett Whether we shall indeed
find them in the persons who essay these parts