The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-04-08
ADJUSTMENTS.
srE1xwAY HALL-rHEoDoRE THOMAS LAST CON-

srEINwAY HALL-THEoDoRE THOMAS LAST con-
CERT.
Tho SIXTH and alas the last, OF the Thomas concerts
took place last night Steinway Hail. The audience
was as usual, large and enthusiastic The programme
was very interesting though there only one abso-
lute novelty produced, but we do not tire OF the
Beethoven symphonies and the "Faust" Symphony
although not absolutely new-has been done here but
little The one novelty Largo" Of Handel
adapted by Helmsbergcr for solo violin, vions, volas
harp and organ. This decidedly the success OF
the evening, far popular appreciation was con-
cerned. The composition Is In itself ono OF striking
beauty, and the combination OF instruments used by
its adaptcr Is both original and effective Mr. Jacob
sohn played solo violin part with hts broad
tone and steady, thorough STYLE whilo his compan-
ions on tho accompanying instruments ably seconded
hin.
or the Beethoven Symphony is but necessary 10 say
that II was played only orchestra under Thomas
could play It. Under his baton Beethoven symphony
always develops points OF beauty that other con-
ductor shows us He establishes bond OF connection
not only between the different parts Of the same move
ment, but between the different movements Tho
symphony last night was not as We usually hear It,
four pieces with but the slight relationship
which accrues to tho various works OF any composer
assisted by the fact OF this being bound in volume
and collected under one title. but was one complete
and rounded story, in which each movement held It's
place, aiding the general effect and develop
Ing in logical sequence Tie phases OF the prin
cipal idea The concert concluded with the Faust"
symphony OF LszL The supplementary sheet dis
trDurcd with the programmes calls this sthe largest
and important Of Liszts orchestral works "
This may be true though IL can be but little longer
than the "Dantc" Of the same composer and II Is ccr
tainy not as Interesting The work Is Ia three move
ments. named respectively FAUST (aliegro) "Grot-
chen" (andantel and "Mephistophcles" lscherzo and
ala y cara after TN. hs
ture" that OF FAUST rs very much the least interest
ing Of the three In lact the only distinct Impression
Lett on ones mind at its conclusion Is that made by
prominent trombone motion, occurring the close
Of tho and largely uIsa IN .se .wo
many passages OF great beauty and original
y, but tho finest and most thoroughly descriptive Of
ali rs the last (Mcphstophees) Here is a field In
which List is perfectly at home The wild, tho
bizarre, the demoniac now easily from his pen hero
reve those fantastic changes, those strange
modulatlons, those broken snatchcs Of mclody-ever
commenced and never hnished--in which he SO dc.
lights. The trombone motive introduced in the
Faust' picture, is here very prominent and finally
forms the foundation OF the concluding climax II Is
almost needless say t;is with consummate
SKILL that It receives every now color which
be impaired to u by change OF harmony
and daringly novel combinations OF instruments.
This symphony was 1ncly-ndecd, considering the im-
mcnse difficulties OF the score, one might say wonder
iully-played No one can have any conception of tho
magnitude OF the task conductor undertakes when
he attacks this work unless has seen the pdrtftur
Even the merely mechanical duty OF beating the time
IL made difficult possible by continual changes;
now three in a measure, now two. Ave. four;
and these changes occur not NJ Intervals oil ten or
twenty pages OF the orchestral score, but every lew
measures. Eternal vigilance on the part Of the
ductor and unremittng attention on the part Of
every man IN tho orchestra are tho only
means by which even tho notes can be
played. And very much more than nero
note-payng dono last night; we received thor
oughly consistent we'll phrascd and poetic rendering
OF the composition Is association which do
such work this TO be destroyed? is question which
every music loving citizen in New YORK should ask
himself We are informed that no arrangements have
been for summer season. even yet; and without
II the orchestra cannot exist BY many people IN Eu
rope otherwise well informed, America s still looked
upon us semi-barbaric country and II New York, the
principal city of that country, permits the finest
orchestra in tho world to DO disbanded and
scattered, they will certainly have strong
and fresh grounds for their belief 1t must
he remembered that this orchestra once separated,
can never again be gathered together; its members
will be forced 70 take engagements in any part OF the
world In which they do BEST and those engage
ments once made cannot break them to return to .
city they leave from lack Of support The pub
lie have done well in crowdng tho Thomas concerts
during the winter. Will they now do better by COM
bining form subscription which viii enable the
summer concerts be given, or must we lose both
Thomas and his orchestral? If evor man deserved
glory money, fame and gratitude from the artistic
world that man 10 Theodore Thomas