The Portland daily press., 1873-12-12
The Thomas Cancerf.

Despite the storm, severe enough to ensure
| empty seats at the average entertainment, City
Hall was filled to its utmost capacity last night
with throng of people intent upon the good
things always dispensed by this famous musl-
cal combination. The result JUSTIFIED the sac
rifice and everybody felt fully repaid, Luckily
the fall of snow ceased before the close OF the
concert, and clear starlight greeted the audi
ence emerging from the hall with doleful anti
cipation of binding Storm
Mr. Thomas gave high compliment to
Portland audience in the arrangement of his
programme which included selections of a yery
high character from the works of representa-
tive German composers of the schools of the
past present and observation-disclosures The con-
cert was opened by Beethoven's grand overture
"Wiehe des Hauses," which represents in its
stately measures the dedication to the tone art
OF some noble edifce, whose architecture might
recall Nine. de Staeps we'll known definition
frozen music"
The Andante Cantabile from Mozart's great
symphony in (Which has by right of worth
and acclaim, received the title of 'Juplter'-
was in sufficient contrast to the preceding selec-
tion without at all lowering the high point of
enjoyment or changing too abruptly the mood
in which the hearer had been left by Beethov-
ems overture. The richness, purity and large,
unfailng flow of Mozart's composition is inde-
scrDable. Entirely free from all unnatural or
forced effect-it produces an impression of per.
feet beauty and strength, each at once cause
and result of the other.
Mr.. Whitney's first appearance of the even
ing was in an important recitative and aria
from the oratorio of the Creation" and in it
his rich basso, large, manly style and fine
phrasing were displayed to much advantage. In
response to hearty encore he repeated the con-
Guiding strains of the aria. Mr. Whitney de-
monstrated his right to the title of the
greatest American basso. The descriptive
accompaniment was played by the orchestra
with perfection of accent and tone. For the
genius of Haydn-which was able to interpret
the music of nature with the naivete of the child
and the power of the lnan-the wonders of the
worlds first days formed an admirable subject
In Haydn's compositions every note tells
whether for voice or instru ment; not note
not an accent can be omitted or slighted with
out injury to some musical thought Every
where is to be found this perfection of detail,
this admirable harmonic treatment of which
each part supplies at the same time melody.
The violoncello fantasie by Servais we'll dis
played the resources of the instrument and Mr.
Lubeck's skill. His playing is refined, his into
nation unerring, and his bowling exceedingly
smooth and agile. His moderation in the use
of the portamento, and his fine taste, render
him worthy of his high position in the orches-
ira.
The first chords of Liszt's "Rhapsodie Hon.
groise' opened the door which admitted us to
the regions of the bizarre, to the methodic mad
ness of modern music. 1t would be idle and
unjust to deny to this school the possession of
brilliant and phenomenal gems, of sincere and
original thought, and gorgeous orchestral color
ing-but after the pure proportions and clear
expression of the compositions of the older
masters, the transition is like that from sun
light to the crimson fires of the theater The
partizans of this schooliof music are warm and
clamorous in its praise; and the American pub
lie are largely indebted to the enterprise of Mr.
Thomas, for their opportunities of forming an
opinion of it under the most favorable crcum-
stances.
The succeeding number was Selections from
the 1st Act of Lohengrin'' by Wagner. The
libretto of this opera, written by the composer
himself, is singularly poetical; the unknown
knight who comes in boat drawn by silver
swan, the sorrow of Elsa and the malign influ-
ence of Ortrude, form vivid musical tableau
In Wagners music occur exquIsitely tuneful
phrases, too soon lost in the sweep of a continu-
GUS and formless cdntilena; delicate fancies
buried under the weight of crashing dissonan-
ces-the hearer is enchanted, bewildered dis
appointed by turns. "Lohengrin'' was one of
the earlier works of Wagner, and one which he
does not now, we believe, thoroughly endorse;
possibly for the very reason that it is less
marked by his peculiarities than some of his
later compositions.
Words fail to convey an impression of the
exquisite theme and variations from Schuberts
Quartette in d minor. The soft, pure chords
of the melody were played by the string orches
ira with unity of touch, perfection of phras-
ing and intonation that left nothing to be de-
sired, and the same skill was displayed
throughout the elabo rate variations, where the
outlines of the theme appear clearly among
the most graceful and spirited arabesques.
The persistent applause of the audience elected
the "Amarylls," beautifully performed and
warmly received.
Mr.. Whitney gave great pleasure by his Wig
orous and voluble singing, in the air from Men
delssohn's early operetta 'Son and Stranger"
In reply to the warm encore which it eicited,
he sang Alderman folk-song very effectively.
Weber's brilliant and ever enjoyable "Invita-
ton la Danse" was familiar to the audience,
who evinced lively appreciation.
Tba o1o D.
main" by M. Hector Berlioz, the soft skies,
the silent ruins of Rome, the fantastic figures,
the wild gayety, the dancing torchlights of the
Carnival afforded to the composer,3 who was in
the foremost ranks of the modern school, full
scope for his vivid and eccentric talent. As a
composition, it seems to US somewhat formless
and grotesque, although in the opening phrases
are marked and genuine beauties.
In closing our notice we would express the
great obligation of our musicloving public to
Mr.. Thomas, whose wide range of musical
knowledge, great taste and experience, and un-
rivalled orchestra under his control, enable him
to offer programmes, executed with the highest
degree of skill and adapted to please and ele-
vate the popular taste, and at the same time
fully satisfactory to the most cultivated. Mr..
Thomas expressed much satisfaction that he
had been able to present, with a favorable re-
ception, a programme without the "soft soap
pill" as he called it, of waltz. A very gene
raj and sincere regret will be felt that this is
Mr.. Thomas last musical tour, and the hope
will arise that something may occur to effect
change in his plans so that we may hereafter
have more of his entertainments, so delightful
and at the same time instructive. We can ill
afford to lose so potent an educator of the pub
lie musical taste. Our people are under re
newed Obligations to the A. & N. U. Associa
tion for affording us this rich feast of grand
and beautiful music.
PERsoNAL.-Gov. Perbam, Gen. Tilden, Capt.
Low Inspector of Steamboats, for this district,
and Mr.. S. Cooper, Local Superintendent of
the Grand Trunk between Montre al and this
city, were in town yesterday.
Mis- Sarah Wilson has resigned her position
as teacher in the Centre street Grammar School
aud has accepted a teachers position in San
Francisco
COL F. E. Shaw, editor of the Oxford Demo-
crat states in his last issue that he has changed