The New York herald., 1872-11-10
THEODORE THOMAS SYMPHONY CONCERT.

Ihas Steinway Hail should be crowded last
evening ON occasion Of the return OF the mag
nincent orchestra OF Theodore Thomas was a
tribute to musical merit to be expected from such
an intelligent and liberal public as that OF New
York. Mr.. Thomas has, after years Of toll and per-
severance, succeeded fully In organizing q body OF
musicians capable OF Interpreting any work OF art
that may be placed before them, no matter
what its intricacies might be. They gave an
evidence Of this last evening. The overture to
'Iphigenia In Aulis." BY Gluck; Beethoven's
seventh symphony; "Wotan's Abschied,n by wag-
ner, and Lszts "Mephisto Waltz" certainly pre-
sent variety enough for single programme. The
opening overture was welcome "reminiscences OF
an old school which, In its time, was considered in
the light OF an innovation, and by the c0ntempO-
raries Of the composer pretty much In the
light or musical communism. lie was. per-
haps, the first that attempted to Introduce
dramatic effect In music. The symphonic drama that
held the boards before his time yielded to his vigor
GUS efforts to deneate scenes, characters and pas
sion by means OF musical sounds. Few orchestras
can be found at the present day capable OF inter-
preting his works intelligbly. The clear, broad
phrases, simple as they may seem at sight, contain
mine OF sentiment and expression that mere ex-
ecntive ability Is not sufficient to develop. With
the band OF Mr.. Thomas each phrase OF this
noble old music receives such an In
depreciation as did the scenes Of the classi-
cal tragedies from Rachel or Ristorl. At times
there was some impetuosty In tempo, and express
sion inconsistent with the calm majesty OF the
Introduction to the dark history of Orestes; but 1t
was the same fault that may be found in Rubin
STEMS Interpretation OF a Beethoven concerto.
Power, when one has the consciousness Of possess
ing 1t to an eminent degree, is not always kept
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not easily attainable In certain works by many q
great artist or body OF great artists as In the pre-
sent instance.
The performance of the symphony was simply
perfect. The balance Of tone in this wonderful
orchestra s so nicely poised that the hearer fOrgets
the variety OF tone in the general effect as in the
contemplation OF an exquisite piece of art as pic
OF y b no Of the
blend with their companion tones in producing q
perfect ensemble Wagner's work was given for the
nrst time. 1t Is an excerpt from the "TrOgy that
extraordinary work, which the composer declares
viii effect complete revolution in musical drama
1t is to be produced next Summer at Bayreuth, in
Bavaria, and the performance will occupy three
evenings The selection In question is the parting
As specimen OF really good counterpoint and
deep thought, limning with master touches the
aso@s var passions agtatng the
may always be listened to with delight. The
modnlations and harmonies produce the same
course, as an illustration OF the grandeur OF
'sThe Ring OF the Niebelungen," 1t Is as If we
would be called upon to Judge OF the Basilica of ST.
Peters from one OF the eautiful mosaic specimens
The Mephisto Waltz is one OF the widest Of
Liszts mad creations. One thing may be said
about 1t, and that Is equiv0cal commentator for
work. It Is unnaturally difficult. The composer
in his praiseworthy desire to infuse . satanic
mischieD with all known laws OF music.
We We are willing to become convert to
ideas that peavade his works, but Lszt, as an or
chcstral composer, Is rather too much. His ideas
grand orchestra, but they assume the phase
Of musical insanity Nothing can be more dram
atic Go; or effective than Mendslssohns % description
or the incarnation scene of "Der Freyschutzn
But even If Mephisto plays a fiddle we don't want
him TO play oil sorts of discords and unmusicai
sounds. Music egitimately considered, is capable
OF painting the most terrible subjects as well as the
composition was done by the orchestra Of Mr..
The only solo feature in last nights concert was
the first appearance Of Mr.. George l.. Osgood,
young Boston tenor, who has studied for many
years in Germany; He proved no exception to the
musical instrument sacrifice purity and sweet
ness OF tone to mere rugged deoamatory
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to the school in which 1t has been trained still
more Of the hardness and stiffness that mars every
thing he sings. His selections were particularly
unfortunate. In the first place he essayed ara
with recitatiye from one OF Mozart's operas
his vocal training were eminently noticeable. Then
he sang five OF Lenan's poems rendered into music
by Schumann, which demanded OF the ginger the
same wealth of talent does 'sThe Carnival- OF
the same composer OF pianist A florist can ar
range bouquet or nOsegay OF different flowers so
as to present what might be termed work
OF art so did Rubnstein in placing in
musical bouquet the twenty-five little themes
of Schumann, and SO did not Mr.. Osgood with the
poems OF Lenan. More than month will pass
away before the public OF New York can listen
again to the Incompatible orchestra OF Theodore
Thomas, and 1t is to be regretted that during this
time they will be wasting their sweetness on the
desert air OF the provinces.