The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-04-26
AM U s E n EN- rs.


tire festival Besides the presence Of the orchestra
and solos by Rubinstein, Wieniawski and two lady
yocalists-uniailing attractions In themselves
tbe.>' was the additional novelty Of the perform
ance the- dTst we believe, in this country OF
Bach,s concerto In minor for shree pianos Bach
wrote two concerto for three pianos and the one
in question Is considered the more interesting as Il
was favorite with the old 'King OF Fugue," who
used to play 1t with his sons PULP Emmanuel and
John Christian. 1t has an accompaniment of string
instruments, which take up the subjects at times
when they are relinquished by the pianos. The
wonderful and never-to-be-equalled terttlity or
ideas IN the treatment OF subject which has made
the name Of Bach imperishable could scarcely be
shown under more favorable circumstances.
Modern audiences incline more to sensationalism
and trlviaty In music than to the sturdy honest
utterances of the kappelnaeister OF Fred
erck the Great. But the spirit, unanimlty
and promptness with which Messrs. Rubinstein,
Mills and Mason responded to each other; the
vividness and correctness OF every theme as it
passed under their hands, and the rich yet deli
cately shaded colorng thrown over their per-
formance by the nimltable string orchestra were
July appreciated by the audience. who broke forth
into rapturous demonstrations OF delight. The
quaint old movement Ala Sicilfdnd, in which the
theme becomes chameieonike in its multitude of
changes, brought the concerto to an end, and 1t
must have been an ear OF extraordinary decacy of
perception that could detect a flaw in the per-
Torrance. This is high praise, considering the Cos
samer boundary that In work OF this kind divides
order and perfection from chaos. single mistake
on the part Of any OF the performers would act
like broken rail beneath train OF cars. The
composer has witten one concerto for four pianos,
with string orchestra; that alone remains for the
public OF New York to hear. Although Bach can
not be recommended as steady diet for musicians or
the public, yet his occasional appearance on concert
programmes cannot foil to have healthy effect.
mind that could bring melody through thirty
variations and enrich fugue subject with eight
obgato parts deserves the respect OF every lover OF
music before any of the new-fangled prophets who
wish to create commune In the domain OF art
The orchestral selections consisted of Gluck's
'Iphgenia in Aulis" overture; Adagio "Prome
theus'' with cello obligato, Beethoven; Overture
Bacchanale, "Tannhuusern Wagner The last
mentioned was the novelty of the occasion. Re-
tanning some of the themes which may be found IN
the old overture and the song OF the sirens, the
composer, in this new work, has adopted an en-
tirely different treatment OF these subjects. The
Instrumentation IN many ofthe passages is exceed
ingly rich and effective and in others exceedingly
pnerIe and barren. Part Of the %Bac-
ana from t the leading vons down to the
castanets and pOpgnns the movement only excites
ridicule. The concluding bars are very beautiful,
and Unexpectedly SO after such a storm. Rubin
stein played Weber's sonata IN A fiat, with some
what less of his accustomed fire and finish attrb.
fatigue he has undergone in travelling for the last
few days. The beauty OF the subjects in Weber's
piano works and the richness OF the coloring given
to them make considerable demands upon the
powers OF an artist. WienawsN appeared in an
Adago BY Rn6nsen and one Of his own
unusual good spirits, for his PLAYING was
even better than we can remember on
any previous occasion. He took the ''rarantella"
might not be able to carry it through without
break. but such fear was found to be groundless.
rapid movements are finished and intellgble, and
in cdntdbt0 parts. like Rubinsteins "Adagio y the
volume and warmth OF his tone cannot be excelled
Mrs: Ii. M. Smith, a Boston soprano, who has been
lately secured for the choir OF Christ church in this
city, sang an aria, 'Gratias Agmus," by Guglielm.
The fecnndty OF ideas which characterised this
old maestro OF St. Peters, took shape
rather in opera than in church music.
"Gratias Agmus'' was not originally intended for
the foolghts. Many OF the passages were strangely
like an aria from La Clemenza al Tito" the only
was flute obligato, exausitely played by Mr.. En-
gene Wiener. Mrs, Smith has . light, agreeable
roulades ana tris, If not faultless had an air Of
finish and ease.
important and attractive performances OF the
week. The following programme Is announced Tor
the afternoon concert:-
o''i'u''' '0'1o Thomas Orchestra.
Aria am Roawer son and Sirsmssr' MendessOhn
EV %s 9s IS
MT; Henri w'eniawsk. pn,,u...,,
concerto Mr. aaiom Rubinsien and Orchestra
Mrs. J. Houston West.
symphony, I'm Waldo I'm the Forest .Raff
Thomas orchestra
Elegie FRS!
D. RUSSIAN oa'n' Mr Henri wieniawsk ''NA
Duet La aGye pTfn% Vest ana Mr. W Whitney
Theme and variations. HAYDN
furnish March, ';Rans Of Athens Beethoven
Mr.. Anton Rubinsten.
In the evening the great feature will be the i'm
mortal symphony In d minor, No. Q, Beethoven.
The orchestra will be strengthened for the occa,
sion to the number of 100, and the Boston Chora,,
Society will be heard IN Scher's "Hymn to JOY
in the last movement. The other numbers OF the
bill are Schubert's unfinished symphony. Sound
an Alarm" from Judas Maccabeus," and Bach g
Suite in ID, No. 3.
Robinson Hall-Miss Anna Simon's Con-
This lady, who possesses q light, pleas
ing soprano voice, with some bird-like tones
in the upper notes, gave an interesting
concert last evening at the pretty little
hall in Sixteenth street She was assisted
by Messrs. Damrosch, violin; Bergner, cello, and
Won Inten, piano. who played a long and trying
terzetto in nat by Beethoven and some instru-
mental solos. Mr.. Remmertz, whose fine barytone
voice is always welcome in the concert hail, was
set down FOR the wel-worn Tnfelice" or "Ernani,''
and Mrs. G. +. Blinn sang the charming song
by vanova entitled "Senza Speme.u 1t would
be difficult to match this lady's voice on the
American boards for power, sympathetic quality
and finish Of execution. She has not what might
be termed pure contralto voice, for the upper
notes are decidedly OF the mezzosOprano order
but 1t is and equally effective throughout It's
entire range and she has evidently been trained
OF the most descriptive OF the favorlte pianist's
works. gave Mrs. Bltnn ample opportunity Tor ara