New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1876-11-11

rXrorrl,>ATE TUrCrs OF 1lH ENN-orTp"of
Ur,NGrMrNrS SUDDENLY aprLupToA CROWD
FpmHrGyIaE HALL--ruE OGoHt >IEA AND mo-"
II WAS RECEIVED.
frEoN 4 va CORRESPONDENCE or T+iE TRIrrNR.l
PiuI,prfPuIA Nov 1O.--Ihr music al the clos
of tI. Ccut~nisl Exhibition. a- at the inaugural"
,,,s rodar the direction of Mr.. Theodore Thomas
and ID ioracd a most interesting part OF ihr f'Ic-
monies. II was affected by the rin-which pre-
vented the ceremonies from taking place outside tHc
bindings. rs had been cxp,ctcd-morc seriously
than any other portion Of the exercises for il had of
cour.c been arranged with the view o. h#.r beard
in the omen air, and not in a hall, for wiIcn ,hc
volume Of sound Was naturally rather heavy.
The judges Hail is z small building, utterly I'M
fitted for music. especially when the band and
chorus are rs l3rg" as th"y were 10 day. Tie Hall
is square, with ~. row Galleries ruuunRdovp either
side. and one al the foot. Into these galleries Mr.
Thomas, az a moments notice without any oppor-
tuuitv for preparation, was, obliged to crowd both
orchestra and chorus. each iu a separate gallery
the orchestra being in that on the east
side. separated from each other by the
W ole width Of the Hall. Moreover the galleries
were so long aud narrow that 40 m".-ing either OF
y.lce, or instruments WAS possible but they were
spread ont for q long distance ON es.' side, Again,
If was impossible for Nh Thomas to stand in any
pos.tiau whore lie could be seen by the whole
,f ms orchestra so that he WAS obliged to
resort 20 the cxpcdieut Of duplicate conducorslip
ono Of .s men. who followed him, leading half cf
q. uord while ne himself led On. other half All
Of this bal # course great tendency TO interfere
with anvihu like perfect rendering of the music,
and il is strong testimony to the control winch
Mr.. Thomas has over his forces that it was 50 cX-
celleut q performance in every way.
On the entrance Of the President the band played
"Han to the Chief which was followed hy Na.-
ne.'s Centennial March The selections throughout
were mos, appropriate, yet none was NOR" iehcious
than that which followed the Rev. Mr. S,is>S
PRAYER. a ChoIale and Fugue by Bach. The
Cborale IS one of those stately, dgu'hed
HYMNS Of the Lutheran Church, 50 fuil
Of RELIGIONS sentiment, and, with the Fugue which
followed, was wonderfully in harmony with Tie
spirit Of the prayer. These numbers, 80 far, had
been for the orchestra but in the beautiful chorus.
"To 1hee Cherubim and >cIaphim,' from the great
"De.tiupen Tie Dcum," by Handel, the chorus Was
heard for thc first time. The effect was capital The
singers. in spite Of their distance from him. were
as much under Mr.. Thoma,'s control as hi,
orchestra, and the piece went smoothly AID
with great spirit. The finale Of Bcethovcus
Fifth symphony was The most trying Num-
her on the whole programme. for IN nothing
else did the orchestra require to Dee in such perfect
harmony with the conductor, who has 10 indicate
so many delicate shades of expression, and il was
here that the most was to be feared from the ~ stem
of double conducting. But everything went TO per-
fection and the orchestra played like one man.
The glorious "Hallcluiah Chorus" which was
admirably sung and which Wa, in the high
est degree appropriate for such occasion, was the
last of the pieces which properly belonged to the
musical part of the ceremonies, though America
and "Od Hundred" We're atterwacd given, the
audience joining in the singing.
Now that the Exhibition IS closed, it may not be
amiss to say a word IN relation TO the musical
features which have appeared ia connection with IT..
Great pains were taken TO have the Music at the u-
auguration of the very best character which the
country could afford. A large sum was paid to
Richard Wagner for an original march, composed
expressly for the OCCASION and the first orchestra in
the country was engaged 10 perform 1t and the res
of the music An excellent chorus TOO was
formed which, il is 10 be hoped, may become per-
mauent This same high standard has been pre-
served throughout almost all the public exercises
connected with the Exhibition, and it is but Just
that the country should understand that it Is the
women Of America TO whom owe il that iii point
of music at least we have had so much to be proud
| Of The Women's Centennial Commission took the
matter in hand and has boeu in shape or another
the prime mover throughout and it has seen that We