The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-05-12
CINCINNATI MUSICAL FESTIVAL.

IMMENSE GATHERING OF THE MUsfC-LovING
CITIZENS OF THE wKsT-THoMAs AND HIS
BAToN-A SONG OF TRIUMPH-THE SEVENTH
SYMPHONY OF BEETHOVEN AND SELECTIONS
FROM LoHENGRM.
CINCINNATI, May IL, 1875.
The musical festivals, for which the Queen City
or the West has been so long preparing, opened
70. night under the most favorable auspices
The city all day was literally trans
formed from its usual sombre appearance
into the gayest OF gala attire, bunting
being literally dis played The streets resemDIed
more the plaza or an Italian town in carnival time
than staid. respectable, church going com
munity IN America. Tine festival hall was filed
TO its utmost capacity, over 5000 persons being
present, ana the immense chorus and orchestra
looked very picturesque at the end or the hail.
recalling "reminiscences OF the Boston jubilee.
When Mr.. Thomas appeared at the con-
ductor's stand about eight O'Clock. he
was greeted with the most enthusiastic
applause His own orchestra was heavily rein
forced from New York ana numbered 100 strong
me festival was inaugurated BY
A SONG OF TRIUMPH,
for eight part chorus, By Joannes Brahms. ter
riDle ordeal Tor the local singers 1t was written
as . piece for the Prussian victory at
sedan and In honor or tho sturdy old
Kaiser Wilhelm. The eight parts are
really distinct and exceedingly complicated,
and mistake in any one part, OF any serious d.
mansions, would be calculated TO pull the entire
structure down over the shoulders OF the conduc-
tor. who Is placed IN the uncomfortaDle position
generally ascrloed 70 Atlas. the thorough. Sc
long subjected and the care taken in the rehear-
sails bore good fruit. The song OF Triumph was
given wiz nre ana energy, aud the various parts,
even where rather perplexing mOdulattOns came
In, were distinctly heard; the phrasing aud ex-
preston being deserving OF all praise.
There are many "reminiscences OF Handel and
Meyeroeer, In the work OF the former In the
liar Instrumentation at the commencement OF
two OF the numbers. IL Is snowy and effective
however, although at times the composer
parts. one page nom ''Israei In EgyptS
IS worth score OF sucn attempts ut eight part
bars d recitative In IT, Tue words are selected
from the nineteenth chapter OF the Apocalypse,
and Kaiser Wilhelm IS represented as riding on q
snow white horse, not as Death, however. on hts
pale steed. The second work performed was the
SEVENTH SYMPHONY OF BEETHOVEN,
that fare we as ~ were, OF great soul to earthly
happiness, as after IL the composer was seized
ton that could be all q musician. TIE performance
Of tnls symphony was marvellous, even
with Thomas as conductor. How heartily the
orchestra entered into the spirit OF the work
There was nervous strength and IRE gwen to the
Introduction with Its abrupt cnords which, like q
tliuI melody and labyrntns or enchanting mOdu-
latons. The second movement, with its quaint
andante. constrHcted on a moiel such a. bsa
never been known before or has never been at
tempted since, and yet q model OF treatment
OF sub1ect that seems 20 give 10 an almost un-
earthly beauty, aud the wonderful male Ia which
every instrument seems TO have an individuality,
brought out the orchestra In such bright
colors that the audience showed IN
elioation TO near the SYMPHONY over
comprising the main features OF the opera. When
Thomas gave the signal for the prelude 10 the
opera, that soft whisper OF the volin's string,
there came down at once on the tin roof OF the
building most incorporating deluge OF rain
that made deaiening NOISE Now. although Wag-
ner and noise are often synonymous terms.
IN this particular they we're contradictory.
Thomas was Obliged to pause Tor snort tine.
The rain ceased, ana LOhengtin was Just about 20
sing his swan song when the TIN roof be.
came once more pandemOnium, as II hundred
boiler makers we're az work upon IL. The third
attempt proved successful and the clerk OF tue
Mrs. smith sang a portion OF the music or
"Elsa,n the accomplished MISS Cary that or cor
trud.' Mr. Bischon's nne tenor voice was heard
SIT. wniIney, lately nom London, detained the
grand prayer OF the King nEht royaily, and Mr..
kemmerIz the vlndictive Frederick.
but the effect OF the chorus and orchestra
wouo nave gladdened the heart OF even the
OF the opera given in New York could not convey
an adequate idea OF the mighty torrent OF har-
mOuy bhut pouEeA tOlln iIOIu tuOAe JVU tufOAkS
and 100 instruments, Sneuld LohenErin be placed
on the metropolitan stage, wish such elements OF
strength, IL would have long ana prosperous
run Tue eager interest SHOWN by tue people
here IN classical music, as presented by
Thomas, Is good augury OF the nnal
success OF the festival Bach, Beethoven ana
wagner are now the topics on every tongue, and
the worship Of "tne almighty dollarv Is for time
abandoned for pilgrimage TO the shrine OF
music-sweet maid. There are also indications or
coming musical festivals In ST. Louis, Indianapolis
and other western cities. When a CInclnnattlan
I'VE n ma 1 IA ma
40 to-day, ~ s Circumstances that deserves 70 be
specially recorded