The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1875-03-20
The las. phTlhnrmonic Concer,.


With the performance of last evening closed
the brief series of concerts given by the Phil
harmonic Society. The undertaking was in
degree experimental, and the result has fully
justified the confidence placed by Mr.. Kotzsch-
mar in the musical appreciation Of our citizens.
/ The concerts, without exception delightful,
have been throughout characterized by lib
eral and artistic spirit; the programmes includ-
ing numbers from the older composers as well
as the modern, the Italian and the German
schools; and the performers, while proving
themselves able Uirtu0si have shown that they
also possess the rare merit of postponing per-
sonal display to the higher interests of music.
No form of composition admits of greater
perfection or of fEer effects than the string
quartette the extensive compass, from the
deep tones of the violoncello to the exalted
notes of the violin, gives scope for full express
sion, and foS display of elaborate contrapuntal
writing and exhaustive tbematic treatment
Without the brilliant and distracting variety OF
the grand orchestra-whece the sudden intro
ducton of novel instrument is able to con-
ceal poverty of musical thought, and where
the rich instrumental coloring may render less
defined an admirable idea, even while height
ening it's beauty-the tinbre of the strings,
alone, allows no imperfection, no fortunate
trait to pass unncticed. Among string quar-
tettes, none suspass those of Haydn. He fully
appreciated the relations of the instruments
and their individual capabilities; and produced
compositions in which the four parts blend in
a manner genial and Observation-Disclosures
ent, yet SO closely woven together that perfec-
.tien of balance and proportion is the result
Want of space compels us to indicate very
briefly some of the many enjoyable points OF
the evenings performance.
The Haydn quartette was admirably rem
dered. The finale with its theme, so character
istic of the composer, was particularly eaJoya
BILE. The beautiful naenuett0 was played with
unexceptionabie skill and fine expression,
though, had it been taken a shade slower,
the peculiar charm of the minuet movement
would have been more perfectly felt. MIR.
Adolf Beiz played "Song without Words in
a most refined and expressive style, and in re-
ply to cordial encore, gave Abts Goodnight.
o my dearest child" The principal feature of
the programme was the Chaconne by Bach. A
violinist can propose to himself no nobler task
than the adequate rendition of this great solo,
which combines the severest technical difficult
ties with intellectual requirements of the high
est order. Mr. Lstemann acquitted himself
finely in every respect. His playing was sure,
vigorous and unfagging; his information excel
lent; he gave the polyphonic passages with
clearness and ease; and his phrasing and man
ner were thoroughly musiclan-like. Mr.. Eu-
gene Weiner gave great pleasure by his facile
and brilliant performance of Briccaldis con-
certo upon themes from La Sonndnabutd. He
received an encore.
The second part of the concert opened with
the Tenaa con yariazioni by Beethoven The
theme, noble and pathetic, was varied in
manner characteristic of Beethoven's deep and
thoughtful genius. 1t was exceedingly inter-
esting to compare this quartette with the e
major of Haydn, and to note the differences in
the styles of the two composers. The solos for
violoncello were beautifully played by Mr..
Hartlegen. The Evening Prayer" displayed
his smooth tone and large phrasing, while the
sCaprice'' showed his fine mastery of his in
strument. He received an encore, to which he
replied by playing very interesting naorcedat,
in which his fine use of the tempo rubato was
particularly noticeable. The notturno for vio-
lin, flute and horn, was romantic and beauti-
full. A rather commonplace composition by
Lumbye introduced the either, which was skill
fully played and with good effect.
In conclusion, we would, in behalf of the au-
dience, express sense of obligation to Mr..
Kotzschmar for the care and judgment, the de-
Hotion to the cause of good music, with which
he has arranged this series of concerts; and Of
fer congratulations and thanks to the artists,
who have so adequately and heartily seconded
his design,