The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1876-05-09

Both SUBSCRIPTIONS represented by Memorial.
Machinery aud horticultural halls. 81, 632 lao
rnxoDonE THOMAS REHEARSAL
Theodore Thomas has Just concluded q long, trying
rehearsal OF Wagners Centennial March, Horti-
cultural Hail. The rehearsal was one that even the
composer might be proud Of as the interchangeable con-
ductor never allowed himself moments respite for
hours. There about l25 musicians in the
orchestra, and Thomas had the most trouble
his iron discipline aud the standard OF music SET
forth in wagners work. The march is far superior 10
either the hudigunss or Kaiser march, by the same
1t fault when he called upon the greatest living COM
poser 10 honor Americas Centennial. Wagner him
self great opinion OF his work. in his last letter
"whilo give you my warmest thanks for the warm
Interest and great labor you have bestowed upon tins
subject Of an appropriate march Tor tho hundredth
year Of the American Republic do not forget that this
work has cost me dcal or caro- and trouble l had
posed while my mind distracted with the
production Of my operas ut Vienna and Berlin.
have attached to the tislo page how earnest was
about it. Whatever Of melody or beauty thcrc may be
in it is the inspiration OF those beautiful ladies Of
Amcrics who made you their interpreter for me.
shall be doubIy pleased II they like it My friends
hcre entirely satisfied, and think OF IL very
highly"
calls for three hutes three obocs three fagott,
one contra fagott three ,rumpcts one bass trumpet
horns, triangle, cymbas tamtam and string
quartet. One distinguishing feature in the work IL
simplicity OF UrSt ana leaulng luOtlVc, WHICH
consists OF four notcs Only every musician
knows the marked effect produced by List
in his concerto Tor piano in Hat IN which the motive
consists OF only seven notes, and IN his Faust In
which the governing theme ~ stl shorter. The
same character Is IN Warncr's centennial March. -
Tho material is simple enough but there is real genius
in the treatment of II. Notwithstanding the
tremendous technical dinicultius with which the
work abounds. Il IS not IN the slightest do
gree II written In a more popular,
speak, vein than Is generally known OF tho
poser It Is brilliant, spirited and dashinT from he.
ginning to end. The march opens with tuttc chord
In q major then the first motive or four notes,
succeeded by general march thence peculiarly or
the work is that the brass fanfare usually broughtn
merely to till out march acquires q new importance
atWagncr's hands. The modulatons are pcrplcxng to
the players, but no less effective to the hearers.
There comes succession or changes from TO B
major, u and sharp, A and ID Hat to major Hero
the trio step In like vision OF beauty; the modula-
tons are principally made chromatcs by the vollns
tho basses holding point d'orguo below gradu-
ally resolving into Hat. New motives arc repeated,
but shorter each time by the wind instrument< the
basses being IN contrary motion. The rythm
OF the becomes syncopaied at the end Of each
phrase until there but bars left without synco
quartet holding in the key Of hat, the trumpcs
fanfarng e. and other instruments presenting differ
cnt motives The effect is extraordinary and must DO
heard to. DO appreciated. Then comes phrase IN
which wind instruments give tho fanfare, rs II wcrc, In
the strings present, the first tripet motive, whc
the basscs hold the point dorguc. The coda Is i'm
meuseiy effective No composer has used the effect OF
syncopAt0n with more success than Wagner that
may be seen in his operas "A great deal OF the dra
tins one effect in music. The coda OF the march Is
perfect whirwind. There arc numerous rcmin-
,sccnces OF Tristan and Isolde the same
governing subjects brought in nj once The air IS
filled with harmonic sound; every instrument Is
employed One would think that The orchcstras OF the
world were united IN grand hymn. Yet there Is
nothing sensational II is true music, and the most
glorious tribusc that could be paid 10 the American
Republic
Tomorrow afternoon other works will BIO rchearsed,
among them Centennial international work, by
Tl...r. r,.ld.x stf
the following National anthems:-' America"
washington March, Hal, Columbia"
HYMN, Belgium, la Brabanconc;" Brazil,
National Hymn France sMarseiIIasc;'' Denmark,
yoisslied;, Germany, .sThe Fatherland;" Eng
land. ..God Save the Quecn' Italy 1.-The Kings
March, Norway, National Hymn;n Netherlands,
anthem; Russia National Hymn" Spain, '.rhc Span
ish KING - sweden, .'volksiied - wixeriand, Honor
20 Helvcta;' Turkey, "Grand March" The music will
OF the striking features OF the opening
oil the Centennial An immense chorus ~ engaged with
Thomas orchestra.