The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-02-07
Am q s MENTs.
Philharmonic Rehearsal-Bristovw's New
Symphony.

Philharmonic Rehearsal-Brist0vv's New
Symphony.
The recent public rehearsal OF the representa-
tive instrumental society OF this city for their
fourth concert OF the present season took place
yesterday afternoon at the Academy of Music.
The audience was large and satisfactorily appreci-
alive. Three orchestral works were rehearsed-
BristOw's "Arcadian" symphony wagner's Faust"
overture, and Gade's overture, michael Angelo"
We reserve detailed remarks on the last two works
for the occasion OF the concert Gade and Wagner
have been made familiar to the New York pub
lie long ago by Mr. Theodore Thomas, and
their works, interesting as they may be to must
cal surgeon can bear the postponement OF a de-
tailed criticism But genuine American work OF
positive merit and dealing with purely American
subjects, written by an American musician (al-
though we always cling to the theory that music
is entirely cosmopolitan, claims even at a Phil
harmonic rehearsal something more than mere
passing notice. The audience yesterday evidently
entertained the same opinion, Tor their attention
seemed TO be concentrated upon the native work.
The symphony (E minOr) Is divided into four
movements:-l. Allegro appassiOnata; q Andante
Religoso; 8. Allegro, ma non troppo; 4. Allegro
con spIrtO.
The idea, or story ut Is always better to have
distinctive, easily defined subject in orchestral
m1o COVE Mr. ssto% Wsses 20
illustrate In this magnificent work Is the grandest
OF all subjects in real American lfe--whch novel
lists have ever endeavOred to portray in this
countryside trip across the Plains of an emigrant
train to their cherished ARCADIA" The first move
tory scenes OF the new "Pilgrims' PrOgress.u In
the restless yet dis.inctivey defined thoughts,
actions and Kaleidoscope movements Of the prairie
caravan, the music Is a faithful photographer,
and the various scenes OF the Jour-
ney are deineated with an artists skill.
Of body but occasionally the latter Overpowers the
frame OF the emigrant, and the music now and
then sinks down to description of utter lasstude.
moment
stlnct OF the prairie emigrant to Ego West," in
lace OF all Imaginable obstacles, surges up through
the Orchest a, ana the 0ppdSStondtG element is
clearly defined. Here the clever treatment, lnde-
pendent oil the wealth OF melOdic beauty with
Anxiety, restlessness, fatigue and constant watch
1ulness are lmned In the strongest possible cOors
The quiet pastoral measures Of the second move
ment typlly the rest OF the emigraat train on the
prairie when the sun sinks in the horizon. Here
Thallis, musician of Queen Elizabeth's time-nOt
IN Its original canon form, but with modern graces
and improvements. The treatment of this ancient
originality. Purists in symphonic fOrms-they are,
to great extent, myths find fault, and
the freedom Of thought aud scope of treatment In
dulged in by Mr.. Bristow in the third movement
wished to illustrate an Indian war dance
and night attack on the aforesaid train. 1t Is
lively, CHARACTERISTIC, well instrumentated num-
Scotch symphony or midsummer Nights Dreani'
or the "Queen Mab' OF Berlloz. Bits of orchestra
ton, like naorce0ur from the ball OF the Cunaire
PhilanthrOpique, are decately interviewer in this
delicious number. The last movement represents
the emgrant train arriving at its destination, Its
Western "Arcadia, 4" 'and is the most enjoyable
movement OF the symphony. The entire work re-
nects the highest credit on the renowned COM
metropolitan public a vivid musical picture of
western life. After the "Desert' of Feiclen David
we place the "Arcadian" symphony OF Bristow.
Musical and Dramatic Notes.
Martmon is fixture for the summer season at
Covent Garden.
Nine. Florence Lancia wants to leave the
English lyric STAGE Let her come here.
The Brooklyn Philharmonic society give concert
tonight, with Thomas orchestra as the chief at
traction.
Bach's passion music has taken firm hold in Eng
land. Who will present 1t IN this city during the
coming Lent
Mr.. P. 8. Gilmore, Of jubilee fame, will hold forth
on Sunday evening at the Grand Opera House, with
q host OF musical artists.
II recalls mean anything worth while in italy,
then Miss Vioetta COvile should be congratulated
as an American prima donna in the sunny land OF
the "MOntecchi CapuettL"
dramatic and variety performance will be
given this evening at the Lyceum Theatre, for the
benefit OF the family OF M. Edgard, q well known
French comedian, who died lately.
NJ Strakosh has wisely changed the opening Of
his spring OF Italian opera from Ash Wednes
day to the following Friday, Goth inst. Mme
Nilsson will then appear as Lucia in Donizetti's
grand opera.
Mr.. G. l.. Fox is announced by the Grand Opera
House management to be "The Master Drol OF the
Age" Now, who was the original Master Drolls
II he lived as long as Fox has, why did he not
merge Master into Mr.. DrollS
ha ThoNAn
Hall, to-day, the programme will comprise selec-
tons from Beethoven, Haydn, vieuxtemps, Schu-
bert, Wagner, Schumann and Liszt Messrs. Whit.
ney and Listeman are the soloists.
The Church Music Association give q concert at
Steinway Hall on Tuesday evening next. The pro-
gramme consists OF Webers "Jubep' overture,
Schumann's Mass in minor and Cadets ''Erl
Kings Daughter" Mrs. Gulager. Miss Henne and
Mr.. Remmertz will be the s0losts, and Mr.. g. E.
HOrsley will conduct as usual.
Mrs. Edward Knox, formerly the celebrated con.
tralto, Miss Florence Rice, has organized q concert
at Steinway Hall, for Monday evening, for the
benefit of the suffering poor of this city. The
artists, who have volunteered for the occasion
are Miss Henrietta Beebe Nine. Anna Mar.
tinez, Mrs. Knox, Messrs. Fritsch, Gottschalk,
Pease, De Way, Morgan, Colby and Florio and Miss
Luckhardt.
Iue DOWery lHedCTe has again Deen SOlQ, tnlS
time to pass away from the possession OF the
''gods" who have composed the greater part of
its nightly audiences OF late years. 1t was pur.
chased yesterday at private sale by Mr.. william
Kraemer, who intends TO devote it to the German
drama. This will be unwelcome news to many
persons, not only OF the classes who have atterly
resorted to the Bowery for highly-seasoned dra-
matte food but also of the class whose memories
revert with enthusiasm to the days OF Hamblin as
manager, "when Kirby died" and Forrest and
Booth rivaled each other IN tragic display upon
its boards.
CALIFORNIA SENATORIAL CORRUPTION.
SAN FRANCISCO Feb. 9, 1874.
The testimony taken before the Legislative Com
mittee OF Investigation concerning the charges of
corruption in the United States Senatorial cleo
ton last night, tends strongly to support the
flon that no money or promises OF reward were
given by Mr. Booth or his friends to secure or in
huence his election. The investigation is very
searching, covers wide range and thus lar
BOruck, who Is the complainant has failed to