The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1877-04-08
Sixth and Last Thomas Concert.

In the sharply-contestcd comparison AZ
forded by Mr. Thomass recent performances
between the classical and tho modern 'hoo
the advocates OF programme music must have
regretted last night that their own sid" Wis rep
resented So III and the other side So well. The
con 'crt opened supcrbly. 1t is q charact risti'
Of Brcthovens symphonies. a. Of all master
pieces. that the one last heard always seems thu
best and. for the time. hlo- out the others. Lis
tcning to the noble second symphony. with iis
Joyous. masculine, healthy opening and the
solemn melodie maAnilleence Of the larehelto.
the nearer might almost l-, excused for forget
ting that the master nad ever written tyc i nth.
thd seventh, or the Ninth.
Hund"lr Largo, adapted 10y ll"lmshorf'r Tor
vlplns, NiolaS. harp and organ. took IN" audl,
en-" hy surprise. Inc rNquiSt melody hnl
harmonic coAstru ton and grand religious
character Of III" work. set OIL by the wonderful
'lnaru"ss and force nt the twenty principal
siriugrd Instruments went home Ia every mu-
sird nhrr in ear and soul. The storm of ap-
plnuse which shook the hall WAS ON" OF those
Spontaneous outbustr which happen but one"
or twice in season. and brought u repetition
without even the conventional moment ~ grace
iul hestanny on the part Of the conductor.
Lisa s " Faust symphony. which formed the
second rart aII 10 Sc, i9r'h III, proSresss Of the
sion. and trlnl Ia eventual clcnrncss. peace and
salvation. The loi,iness Of the thought is all
seconded by the manner of lis pr sentiment
tn" work Ii the most progrhtnmatical u pro
grammc music. and hrlstlrS with all the faults
fn ltS fdSS. IN Tue IfSt movement, INC
Faust there is hardly trace Of any
thing like m"lodlc creation or profound thought.
What little oi these can h" deserted h., N
lost. fragmrntary and moons oGucnt and 50
! tnetured with Wagner ~ - SAVIOR Of down
rtglt plagiarism. Il IS noisy. s'ranEy ami
| tedious, almost beyond endurance. The inn
! preston II leaves ON the hearers mind II that
! the unhappy student was tn victim Of viol mt
| and periodic alta ks Of man-with tho POKER
| ar 'ruating with the prolonged IN Of mental
and phYsoul depression II. id"nt the disor Ter.
! The ~ 'onl movement, th" Grri hen. has
moro If mrodir interest AMI compr hens Hole
meaning hut is still weak in those requisites ~.
and diluted and strung out To- wcarsome
! thinnrSs.
Tho third movement the Mophistoplclcs. 50
! hy lis somewhat abrupt and grot' -dur rhythm
| and coloring. represents the sprlonic element
| qf Ia" spirit which always drnios,' The
! whole work closes with an orchestral and a
| choral finale the latter we'll sung 10y Mr. i ischon
| and the New York Marnn"r'hor. As a spool
men of the most advanced wing Of its peculiar
school. II is Instructive If not interesting: hut
| put Al the beginning Of u programme Il would
| be apt t. leave hut corporal = guard OF hearers
| for the second part.
II il dissatisfaction 10 he able to state that crcu-
lars. altered about the han. announce hopeful
progress in the organization II Efforts 10 PRO
| cure the permanent hall for Mr.. Thomas which
our musical culture so imperativcy demands.