New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1876-04-17
E735==sEss = Ees. S@s=g=Es= s'''
t.Y-- 1913

At the conclusion of this Trio. thematic perlou
begins Here of course Wagner has gwen loose rem
10 his bowers in meditation and 0rchesta variety
Tine themes he has selected for mutual contrast on
tbe one hand and for novel effects III combination OH
tba other are the first theme and the Fanfare AS
dis nroceeds the original tripet-mOiive besins to
.ssert itself more and more, gradually leading back
TO recaptulation of the opening subject. Musical
examples would he of avail here 10 illustrate the
treatment which the various motives receive at
Wapners hands. The effects are produced by the
iperreaing of subjects, rather than by the lndiVd-
nal character of the subjects themselves. Judged
from this point of view, the work is a masterpiece.
To the recaptulation, above referred to, a broad
and fiery coda is appended, made almost exclusively
from the original "thematic-trpet" and bring
ing the work to brilliant and satisfactory close
The peculiar rhythm which we designate as
"march movement" seems to be a favorte one with
Wagner, for not only has he given us grand marches
par erooIleaoe las witness the far'~-- " '''
Huldignptss IuaICnesl, but ms opcTauc CohP"ei-
.,ons show prediction for this species OF compo-
sition. of which much Of the music III " Lohengiih
and the overture to the bleistcrsinger" are
familiar Illustrations He has also been successful
beyond the average Of composers, great ana S'hai'
IN that the pieces composed by him for particular
oocas;ans have not fallen below what we may
terraWhis average ability, in oontrldhuhc-
ton to the inspired moments which cannot
be "ordered" That the present centennial
March will be found fully up TO tins standard, we
feel quite confident. In one respect 1t Is prooaoS
the most peculiar composition OF its class eXtu I.
We refer not so much to the melting away o.
the usual divisions of the march-i0rm INTO one
continuous movement as TO the constant eIhPi'o
roept of symphonc or thematic treatment. This isre
I,,, Loo, ,at,tf a fur
degree than in either of the two marches above NEIL
toned Tho difficulties of execution, so far as we
can Judge from somewhat superficial examination
of the score are less than those presented by either
the "Kai err or "HuldigunGs march, and the work
"a calculated to be understood more readily at a
6rst hearing than either Of them.
The full score will not be Published here, and Herr
Wagner has agreed that shall not appear in Europe
for at least six months after its performance III PM
sdelphia Mr. Thomas however is making piano.
forte arrangement which will be copyrighted ana
issued by Mr. Schirmer. The March of coarse VIII
cot be played by the orchestra until the 10Th OF May
II will not even be rehearsed until after the band Is
collected aud settled in Philadelphia.
We have mentioned the important share winch
the ladies' Of the various Centennial Committees
have taken in procuring the work so appropriately
dedicated to them. 1t is by no means the only good
thing they have done i'll connection with me cele-
bration of the opening But for the Women's Com
mittees and especially the central organization III
Philadelphia, not only should we not have had the
niece in question but there would be no representa-
ton at all on the 10th of Nav of Americas musical
progress aud appreciation of the divine art Fer.
hans yankee Doodle and Hail Columbia" would
be blown from the brass of the Marine Band, or
lone equally crude collection Of military instru-
ments; but of music III the true and high sense OF
the word we should have nothing to show our visit
DTS from the cultivated cities of Europe. is the
vomen of America who have saved us from this
teprosch by volunteering TO bear al the cost OF
making proper exhibition of what we have accom-
plished in the direction of music. They deserve
much Of the credit of securing the appointment OF
Mr Thomas az director; they have lent him from
the outset the most jealous and Intelligent co0pera-
ton and by what they have done to further his
plans they have laid the whole country under oOh-
~.k;o-