The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1875-03-06
The SECOND philharmonic Concert.

able, that had been made upon the Portland
audience. The artists who compose the club
are not mere virtiosi incidentally met together
in process of the starring" system Of manage
ment, but are solid and conscientious must
clans, accustomed to play together; and who
add to their own science and talent the excel
lent traditions of Mr.. Theodore Thomas lead
ership. Their ensemble playing is exceedingly
fine as regards all technical points; and their
expression is always highly intelligent and I'M
exaggerated.
Their style Of playing shows their practice
with full orchestra, in the absence of over deli
cacy and sentimentality, which are too often
the faults of musical societies composed OF SO
few players; where each instrument is SO con-
spicuous that the temptation is great to display
its individual merits to the detriment of the
perfect proportion of the whole.
The Schubert quartette in. d minor, of which
the Andante con Hdridzioni was already famll-
lar to the audience-and which was puDllsned
as o posthumous works. noble legacy TO the
musical world. The first movement, dAegTo,
opening with a trembling and vague phrase
deyelopes a pathos that varies through many
moods a cloud that comes to trouble, even to
menace the existence OF an innocent lie.
Charming moments of gayety are yelled and
changed by it, the hearers mind is prepared
for the sad chords of the andante-a sadness
that is far removed from tragedy. 1t Is his
song death and the Maiden that Schubert
chose as the theme of this andante, which ends
in celestial calm. The Sche'zo has still wa
vering shadow cast upon it. Its simple, grace
full movement, with very briet and tender
phrase, whose pathetic influence soon gives
place 10 the interrupted original theme-re-
minds one of the tomb set in fowery field
and discovered by happy shepherds. Inc last
movement, presto, still retains sombre, I'M
passible notaf that here and there presents 1t
self in the background. Vigorous beings seem
to move to this Dance of Death, made human,
robbed of its terror. In this quartette, it seems
to u.s. Schubert has wished to write the Praise
of Death.
Miss May Bryant displayed an exceedingly
full, resonant and sympathetic contralto voice;
dramatic power, and good method, in addition
to very pleasing manners and appearance. she
declined an encore for her first song, "Voi che
sapete," but in reply to warm and long contin-
ued applause that rewarded the ballad, she
sang "La Note BELLA"
Mr.. Eugene Weiner's performance of the
Fantasia upon Chopin's Funeral March dis
played facile and finished style, a clear, sweet
and sufficiently powerful tone, and excellent
expression. The composition is adapted to dis
play the instrument, and after the simple mel
ody, which was given with much taste and
feeling, the performer proceeded to strew elab-
rate foriture upon the hero of whom he had
played the requiem.
Mr.. Adolph Hartdegen gave evidence OF an
excellent method, and fine expression in his
concerto. His tone, occasionally wanting
somewhat in mellowness and fullness in the
allegro, is unusually steady, clear and melo-
dious, 1t is no small triumph to successfully
perform upon this most pathetic of instru'
ments, the violincello, whose strings seem
strained by tragedy and penetrated with emo
ton.
1t is without hesitation that we pronounce
Mr.. Adolph Belz the finest performer on the
French horn that we have yet heard. His tone
is mellow and smooth, with richness and
power that never is overstraned his phrasing
and expression are fine and his command over
the instrument is entire. The aria "CuJus
Amman 80 entirely Rossinian, Was sung by
the French horn in the golden tones with the
"larn@ dams la Uoi1'' in which Rubin might
have given it. The string accompaniment
heightened very much the effect.
Mr.. Bernhard L;stemann in his two solo Sc
lections, so widely differing in manner, dis
played the same traits as in the previous con-
cert His style is honest, unaffected and sin
cere; his technique irreproachable, and his bow
ing is vigorous, clear and agile. His phraslng
is fine and he evidently appreciates the music
he plays. His tone, readily adapting itself to
gradations of forte and piano. is even, strong
and pure, though strldent and wanting In
sweetness and richness. The warmth and COL
or the charm to sense, such as fill the playing
of Wieniawski with subtle fire-are lacking.
We would by no means underrate the talent OF
Mr.. Listemann in pointing out these wants IN
an artist SO gifted and so accomplished.
The Beethoven finale, was beautifully played.
The wonderful thematic writing as we'll as the
profound expression of the great master re-
ceved careful and adequate Interpretation
The programme for the third concert, which
will!take place March -, offers attractions
equal to those of the two already gven-and
will close series of performances thorough
ly artistic in plan and execution.
MUNICIPAL RUMoRs.-Dame Rumor finds
business about City Hall about this time, and
there are lots of anxious gentlemen and willing
gentlemen. One Democrat thinks that Mayor
Richardson should insist on having City
Marshal to his liking and remarks what team
ex-Marshal John SWEET, ex-Marshal Head and
Deputy Marshal Bridges would make, the for
mer as chief and the latter as deputies. School
Committee Curtis, Democrat tells US, is anx-
ous to enrrench himself in more official posi-
tions, so that his proper prefix shall be City
Marshal Curtis, School Committee. There is
also q rumor that the quiet and gentlemanly
Mayor elect has expressed desire to have
some of his friends elected to subordinate Off
ces by the city council. But all other conflicts
pale before the red hot intensity of that about
the hay scales. The aspirants grid up their
loins, tighten their lips and go in. The MEM
Der of the city council who has no retreat bar
red By combination locks, Is of all men the
most wretched. There are those-oficials too,
candidates for re election, who recommend that
Mr. Fox be dropped as assessor and Mr.. Dyer,
Democrat, substituted Look out, gentlemen;
trading is dangerous. The City Clerk contin-
ues to appoint new applicants for 'perlice"
honors, and the Mayor-to be finds himself the
object of more attention than a retiring gentle
man as he is, desires. All! this hanging on
princes favors its more harassing than hunt
ing double head sensations in quiet town.
THE NEW BARNABEK OPERETTA.-As will
be seen by advertisement this morning, the
pleasing and funny operetta of Sir Marmaduke
or s'Too Attentive by Half,'' is to be presented
at City Hall on Thursday evening, March 18th.
The comedy is by Madison Morton, the libretto
is furnished by Mr. Benz. E. Woolf Bostons
musical and dramatic critic, and the music by
Mr.. Julius Eichberg of Boston. With Mr..
Barnabee as Sig. Marmaduke, Mrs. Fl. NJ
Smith as Mrs. Mouser, Miss Alice earle IA
Portland girl) as Betsey Baker, and Mr.. W. j.
Winch as Cousin Grumpy, there will be gen.
era desire to see these favorite vocasts in their
new roles. This operetta has been rendered
some twenty times in New England since the
first of last month, and is spoken of in the
highest terms as pleasant and funny evening s
entertainment. The price of seats is placed at
,on,,1or rotaa and M doubt a crowded house