New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1872-07-09
MUSIC.
JOHANN STRAUSS.

Tie fascination of the waltz was never
bett illustrated than at the Academy OF Music last
night There were 1900 people, Drawing heat and
multiplied dlscOmforts for nothing but to see the great
vrtr of dance music, and TO hear the familiar strains
OF ne beautiful Blue Danube" played not by his
famous band but simply under his direction The ladies'
nodded their heads gracefully and beamed with smiles,
and some broke out with ecstatic gestures, cappnS
tbe, hands TO the measure OF the waltz. and following
even movement OF the agile little master with radiant
deli t. There hundreds OF the other sex also
orns,, party.young-me who know nothing about the
mus of the heart aud head but capital Judges OF the
must the heels, and they gave Strauss magnhcent
calling him back three or four times aftereach
perfrmance and venting their feelings now and then in
10 complimentary shout The music OF which HerrSrauss
Ia mo best living representative appeals in fact
IN he tastes Of wider variety OF persons than
an other class OF instrumental music ever Written
An It would be a mistake to suppose that he merely
tic es an uneducated fancy, writes for the multitude
70 mich the higher kinds Of music are as sealed book
In he best of his walzes there Is an abundance OF
DOS y.-grace Of movement tenderness of expression,
ref ed sentiment.-as well as the undehnable impulse
OF stiyity which Is the of good dance They
Zoo the mind with gentle melody, and haunt 1t after
IVA, with pleasant memories. Many Of them are true
instratons while artistcaly their structure deserves
all rlise.
nIfsrfanss had an orchestra Of sixty pieces seiecte
frol our Philharmonic society. The musicians playe
IN, r him in Boston every day for nearly three weeks
and may therefore be supposed to be toeraby famin
WITH his style Of conducting. They good players
an OF their execution Of the pieces careful
and eorrect but must candidly say that they hay
caught less Of the spirit of their leader than expected
and are far from that unanimty and mutual sympath
which admire much In the orchestra OF Mr. Theo
dore Thomas. Strauss himself, however, supplie
what slight defects critical may detect in tn
band He has taught them to give cooring 10 tn
old strains by wel-marked shades OF e1
preston, eceentricities Of tempo, and con
tagous vigor and lvelmess OF touch
He himself he whirls about the stand with his vio
and bow, facing the audience, turning to on
after another OF the musicians playing little, stamp
ing little moving every muscle in rhythm is the per
feet embodiment OF quick aud spirited dance. II i
impossible to look him and keep ones feet still
must be impossible to play under him without catohinl
some OF his FIRE. There were ten pieces 81
the programme last night OF which Herr
strauss had four. The first was hi
Kinstlerleben ARTIST Life) waltz; the second hi
curious and grotesque Crcasslan March," which ha'
been played by Mr. Theodore Thomas "On the Beautiful
Blue Danube" In the second part II was received
with an enthusiasm that showed very plainly to which
his compositions New York gives the preference Last,
WAS presented the charming "Pzzcato Polka" o
which the audience seemed perfectly enrapturcd Th'
rest Of tho entertainment furnished by Mr.. j. II
Bonawltz whose two piano solos were Respectfully
listened to. and the orchestra, under Mr. Ber6manu
WHICH was not W tho bost VI Iin.