The Portland daily press., 1875-02-13
THE PHILHARMONIC CLUB.
Opening Entertainment of the COnrse.

The severe cold last evening could have had
little effect upon the attendance at Congress
Hall, for nearly every seat was occupied. We
doubt if any entertainment less attractive than
that offered by the Boston Philharmonic Club
would have, under the unfavorable circuni-
stances, brought together a hundred peo-
pie at the hall. The high reputation of the
club, the excellent programme announced, and
the taste of its quality given when here in No
vember, raised pleasant anticipations in the
minds of the audience, anticipations that were
more than met.
There were some variations from the pro-
gramme as announced in the papers. The con-
cert opened with the qua1tette In G minor, from
Beethoven, op. IS, a selection not only beaui-
full in ITSELF but admirably adapted to bring
ont the excellences of the club, and the most
salient points in its execution on violin and
Cello
The second selection was the "Air d'eglise,"
by Strabella, "Pieta Sgnore," composition
we'll known on account of the touching history
connected with it, and by its own beauty which
commends it to the general nearer as well as to
the musician. 1t is an admirable specimen of
early Italian melody, and its dignifed and pro-
foundly pathetic phrases are impressive, sung
by instrument or by voice. Ample justice was
done to his noble theme by Mr.. Belz, the rich
full melody of the French horn being excel
lently adapted to the Interpretation.
The chaconne by Bach was omitted-an oms-
sion we regretted to notice. True, it makes the
greatest demands upon the skill, endurance and
more than all, musical intelligence of the play
er; its difficulties are not those that call out the
ready applause of an audence-high harmon
les, rapid roulades, or mere traits of agility
but require sound musical knowledge, sus-
tanned, vigorous bowling, entire mastery of pol
yphonc playing, and appreciation of the deli
cate shades of accent, time and force SO requi-
site to the rendition of Bach's works; but we
believe the audience would have pardOned any
hesitation in overcoming these difficulties in
view of the beauty of the theme. In place of
the chaconne was given concerto by Beetho-
ven, a selection which, while very beautiful, is
Justly regarded as trying to the player and one
OF the most difficult Of musical compositions.
Mr.. Bernhard Listemann showed great breadth
and power in his bowling, and excellent techni-
cal execution. But while his tone is strong,
clear and penetrating, it is lacking in delcacy,
mellowness and the indefnable sweetness that
sleeps among the strings, not to be awak-
ened by too rude hand.
The second part of the concert open ed with
an adagio from the deservedly admired quin.
tette in B fat of Mendelsson, proceeding to
Beethoven's Turkish March. The march, with
its rich coloring and rapid movement, so sug-
gestive of the gaudy trappings and hurried
flight of Moslem horsemen, called forth the
warmest applause of the evening, which the
club generously acknowledged by repetition.
The adagio took the place of the finale from
Svendsen.
In place of the flute solo from Briccialdi
fantasia from Terschack, very beautiful and
Sweet, was given. The Scherzo from Cherubini
gave way to a concerto in A minor, from Col
termann, a selection eminently adapted to
bring out the peculiar melancholy drone of the
cello. The melody is a beautiful one, as was
to be expected from Goltermann, who is en-
phatically violincello composer.
The closing number on the programme was
the Rhapsodie Hongroise, No. 2, by Liszt,
composition which has been performed in this
city by the Thomas orchestra. The extraor-
binary harmonies, the singular traits apparent
in the compositions of its author compel atten-
ton, admiration, though the musician accus-
toned to severer and purer method can only
in part indorse them. There are in this well
named Rhapsody passages of superb and auda-
cious writing, while everywhere is apparent the
impress of a real, powerful, a unique genius.
Lovers of pausic certainly have reason to be
grateful to Mr.. Kotzschmar for affording them
an opportunity of listening to musical organ.
ization of so marked excellence. The second
concert is to be given March 9Th,