New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1877-11-05
MUSIC AND THE DRAMA.
FIRST SYMPHONY CONCERT.

players and conductor anxious TO show the best result
OF tho recent reorganization OF the orchestra proba
bly, on their mette certainly we have rarely heard
finer entertainment at stenway Hail. and 1t was the
general judgment that magnificent band as that
which Theodore Thomas directs has never been
heard In NewYork, and cannot easily be matched In
Europe. The following was the bill:
J. Overture" Magic Flute M 1
Concerto for string orchestra ,o 1
4. Introduction and Quintet T.rd Act OF Die ,,,,nor
Mesersinger Nurnberg' wagner
g. Symphonic Poem, "TassO"
This singularly good programme, bright, strong
varied well-harmonized and not too long. The intro
ductOn TO The Magic Flute" thought 1t is the prelude
to an opera irrctreyably weakened by bad text, is
itself OF the greatest OF overtures 1t marked an
advance in the Of using some OF the instruments
OF the orchestra which must have seemed in Mozarts
day like n revolutionary innovation; the effects
which Mozart invented now common enough, but
this immortal work has lost Of Its interest and us
freshness is scarcely dmmed We have often remarked
that Theodore Thomas, who Is close student Oh
Mozart seems to have special sympathy with
this fascinating genius, in WHICH SHINES
forth the beauty of youth, health and man
hood Never perhaps has he illustrated his illness as
an Interpreter fully than on Saturday, when he
gave 80 brilliant and majestic performance OF this
overture The Handel concerto showed the proficiency
Of the organization in that part where twas eafeu
the comparison between this orchestra and the old one
would be least satisfactory. The term concerto was
siton for which have precise equivalent to-day.
III general plan it was something like suite only with
solo instruments sometimes two or three, sometimes
only one, standing out with more or less prominence
from the OF the band yet not controlling the whole
force and spirit Of the composition as the solo instru-
does for instance in the modern piano violin con-
This string concerto lin minor sthe same which
was given al Of the symphony concerts in January,
1874 The solos for two yiOins, played by Messrs
Brandt and Hamm, and a voloncello played by Mr..
Berguer They assert decided lead throughout and IN
the last elaborate triple cadenza by Fer
dnand David has been introduced The work Is IN i've
movements-a broad and dignied larghetto afetuoso,
a noble fugato, charming "musete" dhs name being
ancienty applied to graceful, tender and ghtsome
kind OF melody OF which ina admirable examples in
Rameau COupern AMI the other old French composers,
and also TO a dance movement founded upon such meo
dies then delicious allegro motto vivace, and cheer
fu finale. Mr.. Brandt the new concerlmeiser, and
Mr. Hamm his deskmatc. gave pleasant taste
OF their quality this work. and Mr. Berguer it is hardly
necessary to say delivered the yOlOnceo solo with the
utmost and rmnes The excellence OF the rest Of the
strings ther precision OF attack, homogeneOusncss and
massive force gave US all delightful surprise Thomas
has secured in few weeks perfection in this, the
foundation Of the orchestra, which Is ordinarily attained
only by long and unremittng practice. 1t Is true that
almost all the members OF the present strngband have
played under him In former years. though not all steadily
nor all at the same time. 1t is a common mistake,
however, TO say that the unity which mas
been such n conspicuous merit In his yioIns,
resulted merely from the constant association OF
the same players under tho same leader That,
Of course, verympOrtant element IN their training;
but good conductor il he has good men, very
compel recruits to play together like veterans, partly by
his personal magnetism, partly by minute attention to
the bowug rcbearsals. This is just what Thomas has
done Tie effect Was even more striking in the sym
phOny than the 1t Is difficult TO avoid eN-
travagan superlaves in speaking OF these concerts but
We risk little in saying that beautiful perior-
nance OF the Heroic symphony has been given in
New-York and that Thomas has done few things Tor
which he deserves enthusiastic thanks In every
particular execution OF the work ordinary
The details eNqusitey finished; the Interpretation
was clear and spiritual; the tone Of strings wood
and brass WAS alike majestic and the whole perform
ance was sufused with a glow OF deep feeling, with
gathered intensity the delightful hour away,
and raised the audience 10 enthusiasm in the great
finale Tn the second part OF the concert had good
opportunity studying the excellence Of tho wind in
struments aud the superiority Of OF Thomass best
solo players. The rich, mellow tone Of the horns al
ready brought out with capital effect in that famous
tough passage of the symphony, very impressive
in the calm, soft, peaceful introduction TO the
third act Of the Meistersinger," so typical
in tie opera OF the golden Sabbath morning following
scenes OF turmoil and excitement The (uinettc. which
we ONLY knew before through the orchestral transcript
tou was sung on this occasion by Miss May Moss, Miss
Antonio enne and Messrs Toedt Bersin and Remmertz.
OF the performance Of Lists "Tasso which brought the
evening to a close, only SPEAK with unqualified
admiration.
The hall was crowded. II is announced that the de-
mand for tickets for rehesrsals has been far in
Of the capacity Of the room that extra Of six
rchearsas will be given at dates to be hereafter an