Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1875-11-09
The Thomas Concert at Le,ciston,

AOANNrs
The Thomas Concert at Lewiston.
Mr.. Edaor:-
attended this famous Concert on the
Srd. inst. at Lewiston. Paris, Norway,
Oxford, Mechanic Falls aud the Empire
furnished strong delegations OF young
people who awaited themselves OF the
special privileges offered them by the CT.
Railroad for the occasion. The trip to
Lewiston was made with moderate des-
patch,wnhout any incident worthy OF re-
cord, Every one was reminded by the
cheerful hilarious voices. raised to high
pitch. that the whole company were on =
pleasure excursion, animated by great
expectations.
Now, music, good music, vocal or
instrumental, is something that almost
everybody loves. There are only \ few
who have no music in their souls, and
Shakespeare is authority for saying. that
such are only fit for treason stratagem
and spoiIs.n 1t is but truth to say that,
none OF these were around on this occa-
sion. Such spirits may have lurked IN
the darkness or hid themselves in the
ventilStorS or held themselves suspended
in mental reservation. They did not
dare to crystalize or materialize among
such crowd OF lovers. admirers, anna.
teurs and emOtionalists.
There are those who will think this
Thomas concert can be described; and
that they can stay at home and read the
description. aud that il will answer just
as well as if they had been present and
heard, and saw. and thought and were
amazed and beatided. Such will never
know their mistake till they place their
hSrps with a thousand strings, 10 rapport
with this triangulsrity OF prestidigitation,
The critic of last Tuesday in the Daily
Press. AYERS or vocileraleS or announces
that 'the second part Of the Con.
cert opened with LiStz's khIps)iic
HougroiSe. an original and powerful
composition brilliantly scored Tor the
Instruments. which to appreciate. calls
for repeated hearings, is solid merit
being oVershadowed on first rendition
by the superb Itdactty Of OrcbcSlrUiOn.'
30 not wonder that IN attempting 10
30 justice to this subject. the critic
should ind richness and pungencT in
sudacity. Everything iaclines the mind
and judgment 10 soar and soar ill the
empyresu has embraced the emo.ionAl
consciousness. and the whole entirety OF
the musical molimen has waited It's
melidaous scintillstions on the circum.
camb.ent pro,Oxide OF nitrogen.
| did not mean TO digress. rhe i'm
pressions derived from this concert are
objective and subjective. What were
the emotions felt by the inner conscious
ness Of an audience. it is very difficult
to appreciate and reveal. They can only
be known by objective sigus. 1.-The
mind OF the vast auditory listens with
deep and rapi attention through The long
musical sentences. aud watches each
variation IRON exul.aut 10y 10 pathetic
SJrrow; from ooisterous fury 10 sweet
aud nOlSeleSS repOse; iron violent ami
mostly 70 calm gentleness, and from Toe
loud majestic notes Of power and author.
i,y 10 the delicate strains OF luxury |
pleasure and ease. with tue utmost
silence aud attention. aud follows tAe |
epdlng With one general burst oil en-.
thuslls.ic applause, the conclusion is a |
sale one, thai The objective reveals the |
subjective impressions OF the mass Q! |
hearers.
Here were SIXTY artists. composing |
this grand Orchestra with some dozcn |
vioIns, halt Is many violoncellos, four
double 6asses, one harp. clairooets,
bug!es, etc.. etc. cannot call the |
names. Even an inventory is beyond
my reach. There was also q Steinway
Grand, and the lady who presided
brought ioIIh some gems OF art. which
delighted the many lovers of fine piano |
music. Now be it remembered, that all |
these instruments are perfect of their
kind, and each player trained and skill.
tul artist. Shall We wonder that the
ssalwsrt form Of the presiding genius oil
these musical lords. shall by the swaying
OF bis baton. the movement OF his arms
or the nod of his head call forth. at the
precise moment the loud and deep, the
clear and sweet melody Of sixty musical
chords
| sat, heard. thought aud meditated.
did not understand the subjects which
were the foundation of this Orchestral
combination did not know who the
authors were, only by looking at the
German names, which would simply
gurgled in an Americans throat. did
not believe that such 3 mass OF iustru-
nents could give an intellectual as we'll
as an emotional feast. am now cured
Of my doubts and prejudices. Studied
music has its charms; aud as the public
mind and musical talent becomes more
educated, it will not leave half the seats
empty IN place like Lewiston. even if
The Hall has capacity OF FIVE thousand.
SOIFEGGIo AFEErrnsn |