New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-04-02
MUSIC AND The DRAMA.
MUSIC.
THE HUNGARIAN

THE HUNGARIAN ORCHESTRA.
The Hungarian Gypsy Orchestra which made
its first appearance IN America last night at Seiuway
Hall is one Of a OF bands uncommon in
Vienna and other cities OF the AustroHungarian King
dom, where they furnish the most characteristic NOS
mall respects the best OF national aud
almost rival Strauss ia the performance Of dance music.
Another company than this, playing in Paris duog tho
past Winter has been eed and petted in high society
and gone away flushed with triumph. Nor Is IL any wonder
that music striking its effects that which these
Gypsy Ministries supply should be heard iwthinterest
in the most highly cultivated communities 1t Is sin
guarly unlike OF the rest of the world. aud
some its pecuarities is tempted TO oall nmita
BILE. The general character OF Hungarian music how
ever faithfully reflected in works familiar to our con-
cert rooms such as LISTS Second Rhapsody, Homans
Hungarian Suite, and the three Hungarian Dances BY
Brahms. L. is bold masculine, and brilliant, with
markable fondness for high and srident tones, aud
| semibarbaro monotony in the frequent rep
etition Of certain conspicuous turns aud
cadences; it is passionate in expression, BY turns
somber and CAV fancfu aud furious but always Lighted
by an inward fire 1t has strongly marked, even al
| exagg rated accent, but wildly irregular rhythm.
such Is the music of Hungary as We have iearnedto
know through the modern orchestra us Gypsy inter-
prefers have merely increased Its freedom without
making any substantial change In its spirit The
orchestra introduced to last night comprises eight
yiOins and yoIas. two ceos. double bass two cari-
nets and an instrument styled the cymba which seems
TO be relic OF the ancient cembalo or harpschord. IL
does not dfr essentially IN structure from largo
either; for it consists OF strings stretched over
sounding board and struck by means OF hammers tho
case containing 1t being laid fat upon table. Tue
leader Herr Fakas Mska. plays the first violin, and
stands facing the audience the rest Of the band beng
seated behind him either side. Despite the ex-
traordinary freedom Of the rhythm he never beats
time and only marks the attack By little
mora emphasis than usual in his bowlDg.
The first thing that impresses the listener Is
the wonderful volume aud brightness oil
| tone produced from the uppr0misng material OF
these fourteen players or course We miss after while
the rich variety Of well balanced orchestra, the warn
coorng Of brass and the delicate graces OF mo
futes but the voins and 'ceos are SO well handled
that many DEFICIENCIES arc covered up and the cymoa
6ls In the harmony surprisingly WE'LL The most sue
cesstu pieces on the programme last night were ns,u-
rally those that showed most OF the national eharac'e
They were the two will, eccentric, aud picturesque
dance measures (Csardas)-a dance which is almost
little drama in itself-and the finely executed violin
solo, an indescribabe bravurs melody rude but enor
mously elaborate. This last the only piece on the
programme which seemed to be inspired by soft ana
gentle feeling In the midst Of It suddenly the whole
band broke into passage OF the Rakoezy March, ana
the sound Of that patriotic air the hundreds OF Hun
garians ia the hall shouted with delight La the dance
music not distinctly national, there was Veor OF 40
cent quite Inspirtng, but IL was obtained oy the a
OF some curious alterations OF rhythm; and IN
the socalled Overture arranged from the principal
melodies of La Trayiata" the vigorous but somewh"
irregular swing or the orchestra was remarksois
| study The following was the programme gress
many of the numbers on which were encored;