The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-03-10
ADJUSTMENTS.

THEODORE THOMAS, FIFTH SYMPHONY CONCERT
On Thursday afternoon the public rehearsal for
Thomas 1fth symphony concert took place at Stein
way Hall large aud fashionable audience listened
with great interest to the following programme
symphony in d, Haydn. Adag!o. Allegro; 2
Andante; s. Menuetto (AlIegroI; Allegro Spirtoso.
Recitatvc and Aria--"Ma che vi fcce, STEELE" Mo-
Fart, Miss Emma c. Thursby. Overture "Fideo," IN
e. No. 4. Beethoven. Intermission. Symphony, No.
g. op. l53-.'Im VALDEZ In the Forest, Ran. Firs'
part-Daytime Impressions and sensations Second
part-rwIlight a. revere b. dance of the wood nympns
Third partNight; the quiet murmur OF night In the
forest Arrival and departure Of the wild huntsman
with Dame Hole and wotan Break OF day.
This, although no, severe as his last programme.
is equally Interesting TO musicians and moro so to the
general public. The Haydn symphony was played by
tho unaugm ented orchestra, as Is tho custom Of
Thomas with all tho pre-Beethoven masters. The
the work is that usual in the days Of
Haydn being for strings, the usual wood, two horns
and two trumpcts
The first movement, though very interesting and
beautifully rendered, calls for special remark 1t is
IN Haydn's most individual style and fully up TO his
best moments. Indeed this may be said OF the whole
symphony The adagio is noticeable from tho fact OF
its commencing and proceeding for some time with
strings alone, tho only relief being the doubling Of
the melody occasionally by tho fagott and octave
III
to the first subject foreshadows Que OF Bectho.
yen,s favoritc effects, tho repetition OF
apparently trivial phrase in dialogue 1t should
be remarked that Wehncrs beautiful nuo tono was
very prominent in this movement and, indeed,
the concert his exquisite playing enhanced
the enjoy OF the compositions. The menuetto is
charming and Thomas was kind enough not TO take II
too fast. The character OF this menuetto would al
most warrant one IN calling II scherzo. What, but
oke is n
first division of the movement? The last movement
is the socaed Bear Dance" Fanciiu people ina,
tue multitude and any number OF wonderful ct cetcras
IN this movement, thus making old Papa Haydn out 10
be programme music" writer OF the first water,
which would much astonish him If he know it. The
pam truth Is that the old gentleman heard Savoyard
melody would make good theme ''work up, used
II ana worked 1t up" accordingly. In this. as in
almost all his compositions. Haydn occasionally as
tonshes his hearers with effects which sound "mod
ern'' even TO our Wagncrized ears.
Miss Thursby undertook heavy task when she at
tackled the Mozart rccatve and ARA, Tor she is light
soprano whose strong point is execution, and light
voiced soprani are not generally well lifted for grand
expected by all who know this talented little lady.
She ovcrweIghtcd In the recitatve, but sang the
ord and difficult aria in the most satisfactory manner
Tho .tFidelio'' Is well known that the only
remark necessary about II Is to say IL was played as
only the Thomas orchestra can play It
The ''lm Waldo" symphony OF Ran, with which the
programme closed, has not been played here for
time. Il may be well 10 prepare those who did not
hear yesterday the enjoy menu OF Work
will hear on Saturday evening" The first movement
(alegro) is entitled "Daytime." Commencing on sus-
pension, rapidly followed by horn call in (Which
norm call, with an undercurrent OF shifting harmonics
plays an important part all through this
novemenp gives TOR an instant the i'm
preston of being in that key; but in very few
measures that impression destroyed by tho intro
duction of biEt at the first motive In the initial key
(Fl OF the work The first twcnty.s,x measures show
distinctly that when Raft write this FIRST
he had very distinct idea both Of what he
going to say and how he intended saying It, for
cnfa Vonh anA
secondary, OF which he makes use
The second subject oil this movement Is OF ex-
makes Il a fine contrast both to the bold char.
of the principal motive and to the light
character OF me TWO secondary motives, '1Esthetl.
nun OF the insects and tho thousand and one
noises OF the woods, not initiated, but suggested,
while the mind views dusky recesses, open giades
and lofty arcades, oliagc-rooed and sun ecked. The
largo and scherzo belong together. both representing
twilight scenes. Tho "Revere'' (argo) Is exquisite,
the finest and most poetic movement OF the symphony
The broken rccitative of the clarinet the almost e
cious melody given out by tho violins finally the
shin mcring effect produced the first volins playing
pianssmo passages sordint over this same melody
throwing, as It were, silver haze over II, and tho
peaceful charm which seems TO reign over tho whole
produce the effect for which Raft evidently
sought when he pamed the movement. The "Danco
Of Dryads' (schcrZo) may DO briefly dismissed with
one word ..Mendelssohn, OF colored by Rats
individuality, which is strong, but Mendelssohn never
thosss ~ Is nsrsS o .noo Sn
cult series Of running passages worthy Of tho nigh
est praise.
distinctly where Godmark got his idea for tho COM
mcncement OF tho "liudiche Hochzet," SO lately
played by the Philharmonic Society," 1t shows also
that Raft himself sometimes take a handful from
some one cse for the passage which ushers in and
the "WIld Hunt Of Dame HOLE and Wotan' is Identical
In form and harmony land the harmony is peculiarly
with prominent passage III the "Warrors' Chorus''
OF Gade's 'Comaa."' The hunt Is windy depicted,
ana the closing OF tho movement, Tho Break Day.
is very beautiful, winding up with a hint IRON the
first movement To criticise the performance OF tins
work is needless 1t was almost autless. But
should be made OF the trst horn, Mr.. Schm!z, whose
playing yesterday was unusually good; his lip was
evidently in good condition, and the audience could
enjoy the pleasure OF listening to horn solo
without trembling in lear Of an accident Mr.. Thomas
may congratulated on tho TACT tnat In spite OF many
changes in the personnel Of his orchestra It still re.
III ms the first and best, as 1t has always been.
EAGLE THEATRE.