The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-02-11
MU s E NJ E N rs.
steinway HaJl-Church Music Associa-
ton Concert.

the members belong TO select circles OF society In
this city. The well known concert hall last even
ing presented a brilliant and attractive appear
ance. both on the stage and In the auditorium,
where evening dress was the rule. The programme
consisted OF Weber's overture "Jubel," Schu-
manns Mass In minor, and "The Fri Kings
Daughter" by Mel w. Gade, the Danish composer
The two last mentioned works were, we under
stand, presented for the first time In this CITY,
The mass Is not composition calculated to
give q favorable impression OF the unden-
able musical talents OF the composer.
Evidently. Schumann wandered, for once, into
precincts foreign to him. The magnificent
poetry OF the divine service, comprised in the
"Kyrie," "GlOra," "Credo,n ''Sanctus" and Gag
nus DEL" Is entombed in this musical sarc0phagus
so eectually that not glimpse OF 1t is afforded.
The music Is dull, heavy m0nOtOnOus and unInter-
estlng. and one cannot distinguish In the unvary-
ing sombreness, any difference between ''Gloria In
Excelsis" and "Passus ct seputus est" The utter
want Of color or expression, combined with the
siipshod, uncertain. shambing manner In which
both chorus and orchestra drifted along In the
rendering OF the mass, tended to strengthen the
uniavorable opinion which the dull music engen-
dered to q remarkable degree. AS well might any
piece OF orchestral writing be taken at ran
dom to illustrate such sublime subjects as
The clever, correct measures OF Schumann.
1t is entirely unworthy OF such an eminent
maestro. The much abused word enthusiastically
was applied to IL IN the elaborate programme FUR
nished on the occasion, although this term Is sell
dom understood by writer's OF church music Ec-
clesastlcal music Is not necessarily at variance
with the spirit of the subjects IL proposes TO illus
music meant q nasal twang and q sanctimoniOus
drawl The stirring truths OF the Gospel as wildly
pictured IN the words OF the 'Credo" for instance
demand equally vivid and expressive music.
Dramatic, 1t may be, out 1t should be true TO its
subjects. Scbumann's Mass is entirely deficient in
Gade's cantata resembles Memberships music
80 closely that at times 1t is hard to avoid prefer
music Of Max Bruch In the Odyssey leans
towards the grand model, OF which death 80 ruth
lessy deprived the world before absolute ma
turlty. Cadets measures seem to be bodily taken,
leaving no margin for originality. Yet the work is
enjoyable and graceful, and why not, founded on
may he live to enjoy the celebrity ~ OF MS former
works, and to produce others more worthy OF
fame"
The solo parts in the two vocal works were In
trusted to Mrs. r. d. Guager, soprano "a very de-
serving artist, Miss Antonio Henne, contralto'
calsts did their share OF the work CONSCIENTIOUS
ly. We cannot say the same OF the chorus and
ing in spirit. EXPRESSION correct phraslng. Color
and even ordinary precision OF tone want OF
commenced with the immortal overture OF Weber,
composed for the King OF SaxOny's wedding.
There were some novel features in the eight pare
programme distributed among the audience One
was that Weber's overture was not played Tor
some years in New York. although few concerts
have been gwen this season In which it did not
occupy prominent place. A general TRADE
against critics was another feature. Then conun-
Woaa Se II had not ves
'Where Handel without the seventeenth centuryY'
IA peculiar vein of melancholy pervades the ma
t1Onal melodies OF Scotland Denmark, &c" ''The
chorus Ia major and minor win greatly please
the audience" The last assertion was un1ortu-
nately carried out by the result OF the render
ing Of the above mentioned chorus. Mr.. G. E.
H0rsley conducted on THIS occasion with abundant
earnestness and vigor. The next concert takes
Terrace Garden Theatre.
The dramatic and variety entertainment last
evening at the Terrace Garden Theatre was at
tended by an immense audience. The perform
ance was in aid OF the poor of the parish OF the
Dominican Fathers. and the actors were gentlemen
and ladies permitted to volunteer by the managers
Of the Fifth Avenue, Olympic and Metropolitan
Theatres and the Grand opera House. The enter
tainment was begun with the musical sketch, "Bar-
ney's Courtship," which was very ceverly played by
Miss Martha Wren and Mr. James Collins. Several
character acts Immediately followed The farce OF
''The Merry Cobber," replete with extravaganza
humOr was played remarkably well. Miss Jennie
Hughes followed with several songs. rendered in q
vocalist. Morton's Sc comedy, cali THAT Git
ters Is Not Gold" which closed the en-
III S ans ss esn tune s
Hardenburg as Toby Twinkle and Mr.. Jennings as
Jasper Plum was excellent and that Of the other
actors scarcely less good. The entire affair was
under the able supervision OF Mr.. John H. Walsh,
OF the Olympic Theatre.
Musical and Dramatic Notes.
"Amy Ropsart" will be revived at the Drury
Lane in March,
A French comic opera company has arrived at
Bangal6r India.
Nine. Arabella Goddard's concerts ut Bombay
have been very successful.
,.Sardou is forming from his comedy, '.Peccone,n
the librettd o. a comic obeTs.
Mile. Beatrice intends presently to act in an Eng
lish version OF IN. Alphonse."
Miss Fanny Herring plays the role of Uncas in
the forthcoming drama at Niblos.
Tie Sale VentadOur was opened in Paris an.
uary 10 with don Juan,n Faure taking the title
role.
MIR. Sardou's "Le Magot." produced at the Palais
Royal is said to be only moderately good and sue
cessfu.
The German Liederkranz fancy dress ball will
take place at the Academy OF Music tomorrow
evening.
The Bryant benefit, in aid Of the new church st.
Cecilia, takes place at Bryant's opera House to-
morrow afternoon at two.
The engagement Of Mr.. and Mrs. Barney Williams
in Philadelphia is one OF the most successful they
have ever performed there.
Owing to the indspositon Of Mrs. Jennie Van
zandt last evening Nine. LEGITIMACY appeared in
the title role Of Martha" at the Brooklyn Park
Theatre.
In consequence of the death OF Nine. Parepa-
Rosa, Carl Rosa has abandoned his English opera
projects, which were to have been begun at Drury
Lane Theatre next month.
Mrs. D. r. Bowers, one Of the.most cultured &C.
tresses America has produced, is acting now at
Mrs. Conway's theatre. She appears this evening
as Marie Antoinette, tomorrow evening as Diana,
In Cloves Sacrince;' Friday evening as Elizabeth,
and Saturday evening as Mary Stuart Amy Rob-
sartr is in rehearsal.
CONNECTICUT REPUBLICANS.
The Convention OF the Administration
Party TO-Day-The Candidates and
Probable Nominations for state Omcers.
HARTFORD, Conn.,, Feb, TO- 1874.
The Republican State Convention meets In this