The New York herald., 1872-03-04
MUSIC AND THE DIANA.


The programme for the fourth concert Of the
Philharmonic Society during the present season he
thIrtieth), which took place on Saturday evening
at the Academy OF Music. contained the following
works.
symphonyaNo in 3 mipc, !ir.t .lmsy; Ritter
T. Allegro furoso
Aria-From "Iphigenis in Aqis" .Gluck
Concerto-For the piano. in schnmann
Overture eNaCorioanus' Beethoven
Ara-From the OPERA "Jsap de Paris. Boieldeu
Les Preludes-"Poeme symphonique". Liszt
OF the principal feature of interest was the
new work by Mr.. +. L. Ritter, musician OF high
standing in this city. This gentleman was con-
ductor of the New York Harmonic Society for many
years, and he has been valuable contributor to
musical art by his lectures, literary and musical
works, and especially by his songs. which are
worthy to be placed beside those OF Schumann and
Schubert. His first symphony, which, If we mis-.
take not, was played here at one OF Thomas con.
certs, displayed talent OF nigh order; therefore
hgn expectations were formed or MS second
say, a ,p'er We're a not H fulfilled. 1t "" is probably
too much to expect entire originality nowadays
from orchestral composers; but we expect az least
cleverness In plagiarlsing or approprmting the
ideas OF Others 1t Is not everybody who can steal
judiciously and make good use OF the 'lOOt." Mr..
patchwork OF Schumann, Schubert, Spohr, Mendels-
SOM and Liszt. We might refer to others from
but those whom we have mentioned Will suffice.
The scherzo which, oddly enough, is joined to the
first movement, Is the best movement in me
symphony, and yet Schumann wrote work,
called Overture, Scherzo and Finale" which
IS very like 1T. The andante. is very COM
under the same name In standard symphonic works.
II the composer had left The ideas which he bor-
rowed from SchuDert's symphony IN q in their orig
ina form It would nave been better for this move
ment. A weak imitation OF the bOsterous effects
OF Llszt Is introduced In the finale but the master
MN Is fnO Nv In fhot Mr. Rtrta 1flar-
ed IN the Interpretation O his work. for the Phhar-
monic orchestra has become very careless and
known works. but the composition itself Will never
command the attention or admiration OF q
masncent overture Of gave @
but not vigorous nor finished rendering,
and in lies Preludes" tne best work ever written
BY Lszt the brasSeS neutrallzed the excellence OF
the strings and reeds. We do not mean To dis
parage the liberal use made by the composer Of
the brass instruments IN this work (and wnen did
Llszt ever write without an abundance OF trlmpets,
horns and trombones y. put we object to the harsh,
unmuslca tone produced by the gentlemen in
charge OF this department In the Philharmonic
orchestra Miss Mehllg played work which Is OF
the most interesting character and IN when the
orchestra plays even more prominent part than
the. piano. 1t IS written in schumann'ss 8
best style ana when nrst ntToaaeed
faction by the musical public Miss Mehlig
on saturday night played with her accustomed neat
hess. finish and expression, but not with her GUS
tomary ire. We listened In vain for tnat electric
power which SO often thrilled ne audience at
SlelnWaY Hail ana presented CnOplil, beethoven
and List In glowing cOOrS. With the exception OF
the beautiful cadenza, IN which half dozen mo-
uves are ingenOusly and artisucaly combined, and
which Miss Mehg rendered with spirit and express
sion, the fair pianist was tame to degree
In her Interpretation OF the work. She was consid-
erably nterlered with by the bOisterous orchestra
winch drowned some or her best passages. The
reeds, snch as the flute. carOnet. oboe and bas-
soon, played at times as If they were taking part
In symphonic work and not In q piano concerto
MIR. Renmertz was the only vocalist on the OCca-
sion and he gave AgamemnOns song, which COM
mences the opera OF 'Giuck," with an artistic finish
and dramatic expression tnat the aria scarcely
deserving OF. Why the Philharmonic Society does
not try to secure for their concerts the very pest
vocal talent in this city only he account ed for
the fact That they not willing TO pay for good
artists. Parepa, Nilsson and other great
prime donne are beyond the financial reach
OF the society. The audience saturday
night was smaller than usual and exceed
ingly apathellc. Twenty vacant boxes and
over one hundred vacant seats In the orchestra and
parquet testified TO the waning popularity or these
concerts. we trust that q vigorous effort viii he
made by the members next season TO bring the
society back to the high standard which Is attached
TO The name Philharmonic. The fifth concert takes
place on April G, the orchestral works being The
"HerOic' symphony OF Beethoven, Bargel's over
ture TO "PrOmeiheus,n and the overture, "Fingal's
Cave" by Mendelssohn Mr. Bergner, yiOlOnceiIst,
Will be the s0lOlst on that occasion.