New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1877-01-15
M 10.
NETWORK PHILHARMONIC SOCIETY.

NEW-fDRk GHlIHAkNONlC SotlElI'
The third concert of the thirty fifth season OF
the New York Philharmonic Society WAS given on satr
day evening We regret not yet any great i'm
proybmcnt in the attendance upon these entertainments
the more so "A the quality ~ the performances has I'M
proved Dr. DamrOsch ia making serious effort 10 raise
the society from the depression INTO which IL fe curing
the last years Mr Bcrgmanns fe and he has already
mfu. ed into it a great deal OF his own enthusiastic
spirit The pa ying OF the orchestra on saturday night
showed a much approach to technical accu-
racy thas mas lately been customary with the Phii-
harmonic Society although OF II Sill lett rt
little to be desired the greatest change however WIS
apparent in the unwOnted glow OF earnestness "hioh
lifted much OF the performance above the common FEVER
ard made partial amends for lack OF precision ana hono
gene0usncss. Perhaps shall get the rest by and ny
DR. Damrosch had the assistance OF the chorus OF the
New York Oratorio SOccty on Saturday, and a vocal
septet composed Of Mrs. ButmaD, Miss A. Hail. Miss t.
Cranch and Messrs W. ). Ieggat. j. r. Nilsen, A. H.
stoddard and g. 2. rner, aud with their aid Ee was
enabled to make up the following novel and curious
though certainly not very strong programme:
symphony. Country welding" op 3d.. .Goldmark
1. Wedt.ae Iarch and Variations. 2 Bridal
l. In the Garden Andant). 5.Danoe Fnalc,.
THE Tempest" Quartet and Chorus. with r,.,a.,
"The Ruins " Athens beethoven
J. Chorus of Dnryshes. 4. Turkish March.
3. Marcia Chorus ana orchestral
" Absence" romanza, with orchestra. ..- -berhoH
Quintet Septet and Chorus from The TroianS lerloz
or So iO' p''no Beethoven
VIZ Piano Mr.. BERNARD BoekelmAn.
The two elections from Beethoven were the only num-
beers on the bill which had ever before been given in
America. The symphony is weaker work than we
should expected from the composer OF the Sakn
tla overture: it scarcely deserves the important place
ned it in yhis concert doubt whether IL ouSht
to called symphony at oil, the character OF tine
themes and the manner OF their development suiting
rather the light and Independent measures Of suite.
Il IL picturesque however. ingenious, and meOdl0us'
ana if il il often commonplace Il Is not often dull Ihe
Tempest is noble religious piece which we were glad
Of the opportunity to hear 50 carefully and smoothly
rendered. though cannot think it was well placed IN
the programme of this The selections from
Beethovcn's incidental music 10 kOtzoOuc's fanciIu!
DRAMA which altogether adapted TO concert USE
we're made Ineligible by short explanation printed
on the back Of the programme We wish the
same service had been performed in connec-
ton with the extract from LES Troyens
Of Hector BerliOz. for this was one oil the
most interesting numbers the bill In his unfortunate
grand opera, which Paris damned reskessy IN 1853,
Berloz sacrificed conventional forms for the sake oil
dramatic truth and cearness. With him, as with Wag-
Eer, the expression OF poetic emotion was OF Tar more
consequence than the turning of pretty tunes and the
orchestra became no less eloquent and significant than
the living dramas persona. His melodies lacked spon-
ianeous flow his gorgeous effects often betrayed pam
full art but to compensate for these shortcomings he
Possessed mastery the orchestra, an insight into
the peculiarities and empers OF instruments, c0usum-
mate the combination or instruments pna Voices
which the critical listener studies with untrnS delight
Many his highest qualities displayed IN this famous
selection from The TrOans, and some or them are con-
spicuous likewise in the romarza which preceded IL
at Saturdays concert Both pieces were well per
formed; indeed. the vocal music throughout the
evening with some slight EXCEPTIONS entirely sas
factory Not the least creditabe effort of the combined
societies under DR.. Damrosch's baton the Choral
Fantasia, in wnicl Mr.. Bernard BOekerlan rendered
good service by spirited aud in the main careful play
ing of the difficult piano ObbgaO 1t is many years since
the work has heard IN NewNOFk Ii ought to have
place concer bills much oftenef not only Tor its
intrinsic Importance but for its interest as the germ
from which grew the stupendOus Choral symphony.