The New York herald., 1877-02-17
ACADEMY OF MUsIC--LAsr PHILHARMONIC RE-
HEARSAL.

ACADEMY OF MUsIC--LAsT PHILHARMONIC RE-
HEARsAL.
There must be something radically wrong about the
attractive powers OF the New York Philharmonic So
cicty The last public rehearsal took place Yesterday
ut the Academy OF Music before very small audience
The programme consisted Of the following works.
Overture sZum Mdrchen Won der Schooner Melusine, p"
Meudelssohn Serenade, for string orchestra, Fuchs;
a. Andante Tempo di Minuct.o; b. Allegro scher-
xand0; c. Adagio ma non troppo; d. Allegro nnaie
Concert for the pianoforte with orchestra (Bronsart,
Mr. s. B. Mills. Seventh symphony, Beethoven.
The legend OF tho fair Melusine, similar to Waace's
Iurline has been so POLITICALLY treated by Mendessohn
that the musician can dream of beautiful maidens,
born of the foam OF the waves ike the Venus OF the
ancients the Anadyomcne OF numerous poets Poor
Felix Mendelssohn Barthody The disciples Of tho
Zueasnf school sncer at him. and he is too seldom, in
latter days. heard in the concert hail. The overture
which the Philharmonic orchestra played SO mag.
nhcently yesterday afternoon mas history, ana
the lovely nymph whose name suggested the work
represents the orchestral poet his most delightful
orm Mr. Fuchs ''screnade' is ull OF bright thoughts.
strings by young viennese 1t was gra-
ciousy received. Tho symphony, one or the
lovcliest OF tho immortal nine, did not receive due
attention. Coarseness OF execution and uncertainty
OF tempo ON the part OF the conductor maired the
effect OF this wonderful work The principal mistake
made by Dr. Damr the leader WAS 10 the second
movement, which is marked in the score alegretto
metrouone one crot -hct-76 DR.. Damrosch qulcKened
the time 10 extent that destroyed great deal oil
the beauty OF the movement. Again, the conductor
took uuwarrantabe liberties in the diminishing
and increasing Of tonic elacts aud III the
deliberate manner which he substituted for tradi-
tionu readings his own IDEAS, unwarrantaoe as they
certainly were There is but ono correct reading OF
Beethoven symphony, and no new tangled notions can
change the idea in the musical mind. The symphonies
ui Beethoven eternal as Is the Bible Annotators
must always TO grief when they step outside the
spirit OF the MIR. Mills the representative plan
isI OF America-for where find In this country
among native pianists player with such wohder.ul
technique, clear execution intelligent phrasng ana
perfect OF tho piano y-undertook very un-
grateful task and suffered accordingly. There was
young named Bronsart, a lew years ago, at the
Leipsic Conservatoirc, und IN his class wero many
Americans. Some Of those Americans were present
last night They said that 1t was unfortunate that
..vautlhg ampiion'' should have such an effect on
their CT derant classmate rhc concerto Is absolutely
worthless IN An artistic point Of Some panists
study and needed great deal OF practice
The effect yesterday was as iolows:-A patch
work OF Schumann, Beethoven, Mendelssohn
and Weber, clumsiy put together some phrases very
coarse anu with blatant nstrumentation that plotted
out certain charming piano passages MIR. Mills was
more 10 be admired for his heroism IN conendng
against 100 instruments than for his judgment In
selecting piano work entirely unworthy OF him. To-
nigL> tho concert takes place. Dr. Danrosch should
look the wind Instruments as they seem To be quite
innocent Of the requirements of proper eWbouchWe,
and they did sad business yesterday.