New-York tribune., 1874-03-09
MUSIC AND THE DRAMA.
MUSIC.
MAX BRUCn's ULYSSES" !"

kiAA ObfeStb.
On Saturday evening the Liederkranz CAV,
apubnc performance at Steinway Hall Of Max Bruchi
new cantata sceneD aus der Irrfshrt des Odysseus
ssceDcs from the wsnderings OF Uiyssesl, which wa
produced for tho first time In America at one OF the en-
fertainments at their club house six weeks ago. we
rabhshed atlthat time a pretty full description OF H.
The repetition, In larger hall and before Tue senora
pubfo, was designed complimentary tesumonia W
Agrico Paur the conductor OF the society Whether
Psur Brueh the chief attraction we are unaoe W
ray bat at all events there wasa very large AUDIENCE
and the new work. which is just now eXcitinS great
deal OF interest the continent OF Europe received an
attentive and apprecstive hearing We find no reason
10 modify In any respect the high opinion OF Its merits
which we expressed after the first performance Is
xnse of serious and intellectual character, strongly
solored with certain Homeric simplicity and dgni-
ed and natural pathos 1t abOunds also In fresh and
car yating graceS and its impressive flow or melody
pr ke here and there into passages Of remarkable brI
ancy and force. The dramatic character Of the music
is worthy OF all admiration. Take, for instance, the
rt scene where Ulysses, in the Island Of Calypso re-
ceiyes the visit Of Hermes who breaks the enchantment
that bon the spot and sends him forth his
voyage; here the murmurng of the nymphs, the
noble OF ULYSSES the stately phrases OF the mes
seDeer OF the gods and the closing invocation Of the
hero, "Allmaehtger Zeus," superbly contrasted,
each retaining IT'S individual character but all blending
IN a beautiful whole. Take also the charming scene OF
Rauscaa and her madeus befriending the shpwrecked
chef, the banquet with the remarkable chorus OF
Rhspsodists, and the discovery OF the identity
Of Ulysses the final scene, where
tbe wanderer IS recognized by Penelope, aud
the beautiful prayer Of thanks, "Almachtiger Zeus
recurs as duet. The formal aria has been dis
earded by Bruch as completely as it has by Wagner;
and though the anomalies which are so conspicuous ana
no puzzing in the later writings OF the author OF
''Trstan" and the "Meistersnger' are not apparent
here the "Odyssee" conforms pretty closely 10 the new
methods not only IN the substitution OF continuous
melody for the conventional metca structures OF the
elder school but in the close alliance between the music
and the pOe and the important part assigned TO the
orchestra The solos were given by Mr. Sohs Miss
Anna Simon, Miss Antonia Henue, who all did remarka
kly WELL and Mr.. Graf, whose part was comparatively
unmportant. The chorus good, but less effective
than IT was in own hail. and The orchestra was saus-
fastoTy.
The osntata was preceded by miscellaneous concert,
in which the "Tdnnhduser" overture played under
direction OF MI Bergman. the Lederkranz gave
male part-sone Of Mornings CVorbeiD with tenor and
baritone solos by Mr. Graf and Mr. Stems, and MI s. b.
Mile contributed Chopin's scherzo, opus 90
MUSICAL NOTES.
Gounod has received commission to write
work for the Paris Grand Opera.
There seems 10 be now some uncertainty
about BGlow's coming 10 the United states this year
"Mignonn was sung at the Academy on
Saturday afternoon. llhe AuguenotS" is announced
for this evening.
Verdi has completed n Requiem in memory
OF ManZoni and IL 10 be performed IN one Of the
churches OF Milan.
Mr.. Thomas's fourth matinee took place at
etenway Hal on Saturday, the principal piece Oh the
bill being Beethoven's sth symphony.
Nine. di Murska gave her last performance
at the Lyeeum 1heaer on saturday afternoon SINGING
IN Martha" aud selection from "Dinorah."
special performance viii be given at the
Academy 81 Music tomorrow evening for the benefit Of
NJ. Maurel A concert by Nilsson, TOrriani, CapOul,
wienlawski sud others, will be followed by the famous
third OF ETIsDi" ana the entertain nment VIII close
with Ohenbacps b,iBQaae1e' LES penA AlehFeS DS
Capo0l aud Naurel - 80. --s.- r. =. - =