The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1877-10-28

Dr. Damrosch'. SYMPHONY Matinee.

The musical interest of the present season
seems thus far to be centred in orchestral con-
ccrts. Of which we have an abundance, and that
abundance is Of the best.
Dr. Damrosch entered the field on Saturday
afternoon with his newly organized orchestra.
and the interest Of the occasion was sufficient To
entirely MI Stoinwav Hall
As is usually the case with afternoon con-
ccrts. the audience consisted mostly Of ladies.
and indeed it is to them that classical music ap-
pcals most strongly. since they are the favored
class who have time for its study-nnc out Of
ten Of all amateurs being women. In Germany
the ratio is different.
The Damrosch orchestra is composed Of the
very best material. Probably at least half Of
the musicians have had the benefit Of Theodore
Thomas's drill having been m'mbcrs Of his
former orchestra. They start therefore ms
graduates of an admirable school of discipline.
and certainly showed the excellent training
under both their former and present con-
ductors. For freshly organized orchestra the
playing was unusually smooth and that
precision and nrmnoss OF accent which
Dr. Damrosch imparis to everybody whether
vocal or instrumental that is under his control
was noticeable in their playing. An orchestra
always takes its color from the temperament ~
It's conductor. and the nervous force with which
pr. pamrosch is So largely supplied lac mparts
to his musicians. There IL every reason 10 be-
licvc that the concerts that will be- given under
his direction will be- ot n high order VI merit
and u notable addition to the musical culture Of
the city.
The orchestral portion Of the programme
consisted Of LisN's rreludcs:' gavcitr from
Barh's sixth Violonrcllo sonata. arranged for
orchestra 10y lr. Damrosrh; two Hungarian
dances hy lirahm-, and u new symphony 10y
snrr, cn''r this surt i Ms ndJnI wa
| SONGS -Wagncrs Abrnd~;"rn. from his
'.rannha1ser. and schumann's Two Grcna-
dior-.'
or an these. the gavo,c and the Hungarian
| dan 'cs. though the highest. created the most
genuine enthusiasm. the former especially
| benz. earnestly appiaud'l and rep ,atcd IN Ooe-
diencc To the general wish.
or course the symphony hy Ran WAS listened
| To with great interest. The subject is one that
hus repeatedly hecn treated before hy rompo--
,rs in the Symphonic A. wei! ~ IN every other
| form II has been an mu'l iuNoritr apparently
with the composers rs with the poets. Az
| lar"niy Ran. coming 50 lat. found lltlc un
ViS now To- say His invention seemed To- find
! no srwulus in his theme. Ih"r" ar" SOM"
| work. that appear io b" composed from without
an some from within. and To the former alass
81 course. So cNrcllcni mas,cr Of his art al
| ways finds It EASY % treat light themes in a
/ pleasant aud interesting maun"r iu-i lis any
/ thoroughly good musician can At ui the piano
! AMI imprnNis" pleasantly rhd without ~ '''al
ell ri on any given Ga iur. but something. NOR"
/ than this Is looked lor IN % symphony. Kan -
/ work while Il ,- always n"o liou~.ani rhythmi-
| cal. ANA iursirany. n'N rh"rs~ IL common
| place IVA ~ idca~ and in tie manner in which
! they arc treated. and j. greatly inf" rior IA i'll
slgralion ami method 90 other oi his wort~.
H. has called It's fuur movements le.urn u
| Spring. Walpursis Night FIRST Blossoms 80
| spring and Pleasures 81 WANDERING Ih'rr Is
| much saurnrsS in the thought If We except
tn" Nallur-is movement. whi'h Has no ir.c~'
| relation 10 the rest OF special illness. or the
four movements the first will probably bee found
the most interesting. and the last one the least
So.
Tho work rs n whole belongs to the great
| and prolific class 81 ndie Uiusic-muSic that
| exists hrcilus" the composer has chosen. for
| purposes If his OWN To- piece together certain
| musical forms and phrases, and not because
| the composer heard a Voice from Heaven %
| enNirl. unto him. Writ o.