The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-02-06
a "ow AMERicdy SYMPHONY.
INC work OF Musician of Merit The The.
odore Thomas Matinee.

The second matinee given 10y the Thomas
orchestra took place Yesterday afternoon. The
programme was as follows:
XIV "Soh nj mi dir SsS IDOL Don ovao5i Mo,.i,
son,.,, q. oo Mrs. EmliY Butman.
overture, Mid,ummei Nieh. Dream Mebdei..oSo
ARA oeeau' th9I M's9y Meen,.t.i" en,i obeton .wsOer
symphonic Poem. op 20. Dause Maesbre new,
p,,,.o,,. 49,. salbtsssns
The first number was especially interesting As
the work OF an American, one OF BostoD's
leading orRanists, man Of culture and a
musician OF learning and merit, already some
what known through his oratorlo OF st. Peter"
1t Is not often that an American undertakes
the long and arduous task OF scoring so great
and complex a work as a symphony, for the
chances OF his ever getting II before the public
are discouragngy remote. Happy Is II for him
when he finds such man as Theodore Thomas
to bring his work to the light and to give II
every advantage that II can derive from the
splendid playing OF his orchestra II under
chances are hopeless.
The production Of such a work Is therefore an
event IN the history OF our native art rare as
TO be important and a subject of congratuation,
DOth TO the composer whose labOrs are rewarded
by such recognition. and to the conductor whose
sympathy with American art Is sufficient to en-
Iist his cooperation In bringing its best results
In this case It is safe 20 say that the work wa.
well worth the labor bestowed upon II. IL isa
nne symphony, broad and noble in thought and
purpose. smooth, melodious, and refined In
treatment.
The whole orchestration and the general cast
or the work show how deeply the author Is I'M
bued with the spint OF Beethoven through
study ana love OF the master. Indeed the treat
inert OF certain portions OF tine score might
almost be mistaken for his. This is in itseif
perhaps as high praise as could be given to MIR.
The Deaths Dance" by saint-sasns, the ono
other new piece on the programme, gave the
Idea OF mind full Of poetica magination and
iresh Original thoughts, as well as q thorough
knowledge OF the way to make peculiar, startling,
and descriptive effects. Perhaps people OF the
old school OF music would consider some OF
these enects not altogether legitimate, as
ior instance the rattlinR OF the bones
OF the skeletons as they danced, which was por-
trdyed by curious and novel wooden instru-
ment and the whole composition Is written Ia
an extravagant manner peculiarly enjoyable by
those who are already converted to the style OF
many such In the audience, as this piece was
heartily appauded, and Mr. Thomas repeated
the whole work. which Is In one movement.
Mrs. Emily Butman, the soost Of the occa-
sion. has powerful and pleasant voice. end
sang the two difl ut arias In a very satisfactory
mauner That which best displayed the cx-
quislte skill and technique OF the orchestra was
the beethoven septette, In which all the instru-
mcnts blended with exquisite effect; aud
especially noticeable was a difficult caienza
played by the first violins as though they were
one instrument, and with wonderful celorlty
and smOOthness.