New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1873-11-24
MUSIC.

ing at Steinway Hail. and all true lovers of art will
be glad to know that ii was attended by Ul house,
the audience being better than even the average OF
last Winter The following was the programme;
PART I.
Overture. dedication OF the House. Beethoven
Aria Gi ye me back my dearest Master 81. 3. Bach.
Mr.. NJ. W. whitney.
symphony in schubert
scherzo. ala Refine NAB Berlioz.
Concerto for Ylooncelo.. .MOnque'
Mr.. Louis Lnoeek.
Arietta In questa tomba oSenra Beethoven
Symphonic Introduction to the drama "slgurd
slembe" .Svendsen
Mr.. Thomas is somewhat famous for the compost
ton of attractive programmes, but be has seldom
arranged more enticng bill than the brilliant one
set forth above as the prelude to a season which
promises to be unusually INTERESTING int In writing
Of the Philharmonic Society last week we predicted
Winter of lively emulation between the two
orchestras upon which depend for our best
musical entertainment. aud the experience OF last
Saturday fully confirms our anticpatiOns. II Mr..
Bergmann's one hundred players have been reused
to unwonted industry and ambition it is evident
that Mr.. Thomas will push them to the utmost,
and it will tax their best energies to keep abreast
of him. In the production of novelties
of real value Mr. Thomas has always
been 80 far in advance of everybody
tition His enterprise in this regard was illustrated
in the first concert and will be still conspicu
Gus in the second But il is not the chief duty of a
conductor to be forever playing something new.
The perpetual craving for fresh fare is a symptom of
deprayed and vulgar appetite and there Is some
thing honest and brave IN the reverence with which
the Philharmonic Society turns back year after year,
to the old maserworks which mist always be the
foundation of whatever is greatest in art. These
are creations of which the cultivated listener can
never tire Ace cannot wther custom stale their
infinite variety. No man knows this better than
Theodore Thomas who makes Beethoven the basis
Of every programme, and has never Wanted his
own success in procuring the latest productions
of the modern composers. Whatever novelty
no brings forth, he plays not be-
cause it is new. but because it is good or
because it illustrates the tendencies Of cotem-
porary STYLE OF certain steps either of progress
retrogression with which the student of modern
music ought to make himself familiar. The'test of
merit in orchestra is not the success with which
it tickes the uninstructed public with fresh sensa
TONS but the intelligence and sympathy with which
it gives voice to those sublime creations which the
consent of the whole world has placed among the
grandest works OF genius. Toward this noble object
Mr. Thomas bends his best endeavors, and he prides
ultlscH MUCH HOfc upOH ulRulS HulsuCu anu
eloquent Interpretation of the classics than upon
mere enterprise and good fortune in the collection of
musical curiosities.
1t will hardly be believed that ne brings back his
orchestra perfectly balanced, more completely
obedient to his WILL richer in Tone and more refined
in expression than it was when last heard it
but such is the fact. Every year il grows more and
more homogeneous and every year its improvement
strikes with fresh surprise. Its very first utter
ance on Saturday, in the Beethoven overture was
almost startling the attack was so true and the
voice so full and hearty. The strings seemed to
yibrate as if in answer 10 a single will. No one
sweryed from the tone by so much hairs
breadth. Among all the sixty players there was no
uncertainty, no hesitation no lack of confidence
for an instant. AS a result of this COM
bnaton of boldness and decision, every phrase of
the overture stood out in clear relief The most in
tricate and confusing passages revealed in all
their wonderful structure, and every thread
which ia woven into the brilliant fabric could be
distinctly traced. The same excellences were
equally conspicuous in the great Symphony of Schu-
BERT whose dazzling splendors have never been so
fully revealed to lis before. The clearness of the
performance must have impressed everybody from
the start. The extraordinary beauty of the coloring
the perfect blending of the parts and the nimiable
spirit and vitality of the orchestra could hardly be
overprased, and the impression sinks deeper and
deeper into our mind az we reflect upon the superb
performance 1t was i'll the glorious finale of course
with its tremendous sweep of the long-gathered
forces that the band achieved its greatest triumph
Even Mr.. Thomas himself here abandoned his GUS
tomary impassive demeanor, and the music rushed
onward to the close in the midst OF an excitement
which affected audience and performers alike
Where all was so far above the ordinary level of ex-
ceence, it seems invidious TO single out any one
department of the orchestra Cor special prase but
the perfection of the brasses marked that we
cannot pass it over without word of recognition.
The charming Scherzo of Berlioz, which is little
known here. made a beautiful contrast to the SYM
phony A gem of fairy fances, it was rendered
with exquisite grace and sentiment. The Symphonic
Introduction of Svendsen's is entirely new in this
country. and indeed we had no practical acquaint-
ance with any of the works of this young and prom
isi6g Norwegian composer until Mr.. Thomas gave
us a specimen of his quality last Summer. This In
PRODUCTION is short, vigorous, and richly scored, and
will doubtless often find place upon our concert
programmes.
The solos on Saturday were all good. Mr. Whitney
sang the aria from Bachs "Matthaus Passion with
taste and feeling Mr. Listemann playing the violin
obbligato. In Beethoven's splendid arietta Mr.
Whitney's success still more decided. We have
never heard him to greater advantage, and there il
probably no piece of music extant which more ex-
actly suits his voice Being recalled, he sang the
"Qui sdcgno" from THE Magic Flute
The new violoncellist Mr. Lubeck, is a valuable
acquisition to the country. He is an artist of
marked ability, having an excellent technique and
a SYMPATHETIC touch. He reminds us in style of
Mr.. Befgner, although his tone is not so full and
sensuous as that OF our favonte New-York per-
former, but to compensate for this he is moder
ate in the use of the tremoo which Mr. Bergner is
rather inclined to carry to excess.
For the second concert dec. 81. the principal