The New York herald., 1876-11-05
ADJUSTMENTS.
FIRST PHILHARMONIC CONCERT.

FIRST PHILHARMONIC CONCERT.
The cloud which has SO long hung tho Phil.
harmonic Society has yet been removed from The
public mind, for not tho magnificent programme
presented last night a. the Academy Of Musc the nth
symphony OF Beethoven and the frs. OF "Die
walknre," from wasners trilogy. succeeded in draw
Ing good house. Tho gaps in The auditorium were
many. Yet the performance worthy of The Phil
harmonic Society IN rs palmirst days The energy Of
she conductor. DIR. Leopold Damrosch, was sensibly
apparent 10 the new life infused inio the immense
orchestra. Elbows that had acquired degree OF
rnstncss Incompatible with true philharmonic
playing, lips that wont TO blow lazly
shrough reed and brass emboachures, that hung
listlessy over instruments Of percussion, suddenly
became electric and impsssioned The symphony was
given with expression aud earneslness that can
only bo compared With the wonderful playing OF the
same work by Thomas orchestra From tho intro
ductory allegro the concluding allegro the
performance Of the symphony sas remarkable That
ever varying aspect which Beethovens music wears,
and yet bright all It's changes; those sounds SO
unearthly thrilling, penetrating the soul the imasi-
native vein, the creative genus-all found ad-
sQ1ate expression at the hands Of Dr. Dam
wnep properly presented Is the apothcosis OF
music. rhc cause Is tnat Becthovcn's music, more
shan any other, has The oroadess influence on inc
heart '.Palias IKE, he sprang from Natures head
Says commentator, I'm the luxurance vi q rich mo-
meni.' In the nth symphony the four movements
like the books oil the HAD, the pyramids, The art
works OF Natican-imortaL The lrst act Of ..Die
walkure" mere vail from the trilogy. wiil give,
Notwithstanding, excellent idea OF results OF
Wsgners operate theory. or u, in connection with
she res. OF tho music drama OF Baireuth one may
say .'Ex uao, dssce 0p.nes.' This may DO contra
dlctory 10 wagper's opinion, but every musician
who present at the Philharmonic concert
last night must havo gained au insight into
that portion or tho musical panorama uuiolded
10 his view that would enable him 10 form correct
judgment on the entire troey, AS lar Us the peculiar
fraut tp.anf lin r.tYnAu
lion wonderful; the dramatic musical effect oil the
voices less account OF the absence OF conccnra
tion OF effect AMI distinct phrasng There no need
o the violent partsarship that prevails to-day be-
tween tho parties known tho lsgtlmis,s and the
fevolutionists. In both ranks are honestly enhusas
tic warriors, resolved 10 support their convictions
unto death. Yet Wagner is no rcvolutionist IN mu-
scai point OF view he Is the legitimate onspring oi
Beethoven Of Giuck, OF Beriioz Many OF the best
qualities OF these imlnortas are united in him. he
sevates tho operatc orchestra to sym
phonic standard: he ndividuazcs each character
BY giving instrumental motive that
places IL IN bold relief III the first act OF ''Die Wal
kars three motives stand forth prominently. There
Is the love theme tstrangey ike that IN "Lohengrn
she Hunding motive lin which the rough character Of
the husband Sieglinde revealed) and the sword
INothung) motive. The instrumen, ,ation throughout
Kaleidoscope like the ocean IN It's muitiiorm moods.
recalls 10 The mind tho lines OF Byron IN his address
20 the ocean
Thou glorious mirror, where the Almighty's form
Gls.ses itself in teinpests; in all time,
icing the Pole or in the ,orrid CLINE
Dark -heAving. boundless endless and sublime.
In this opera stern discipline maintained over the
vocal artist There IS no opportunity Afforded TO the
prima donna TO perform daring saiti m0rtati tho
tight rope Of foritare to the tenor to emit
vt de postrine. The poem, tho music aud the drama,
are SO admirably commnsled that the hearer must
Judge OF all three alike O course, when to the cle
brought last night the wonder
fu ,Hsse that characterized the Baircuh
iornance, then the chain OF thought that welded
together In tho brain OF The composer IL complete.
Mmc Pappenbem sang tho music OF Sicslinde with
Out notes before herr in manner that showed that
She was entirely rapport with the spirit OF the
poser. Mr.. BischOH rather overweighted IN the
role of siegmund. and Mr. Remmertz made un-
equivocal success by the magnificent manner which
he sang the part or Hundng Altogether the Phiihar-
monte Society may well ieel proud the result OF
She OF their season.