The New York herald., 1878-10-04
ADJUSTMENTS.

srErNwAY HALL-ruoMAs FAREWELL BENErIr.
Ono experienced a melancholy pleasure In attend
ing tho concert at Stenway Hall last evening. A
pleasure because q Thomas concert is always q
pleasure; melancholy Tor the that II was the
farewell appearance OF Thomas unrvallcd or
chessra and It's distinguished leader in New
York. Theodore Thomas occupies an excep-
ional position in tho history OF music Ia
this city; In fsct IN this country. Hc has played
the best class OF orchestral In spite OF many
drawbacks. and although no has largo constituency
here. 10 seems that hts admirers not strong
enough to keep him, and that distaat and smaller
city has secured his valuable services for several
years at least II Is to credit that let him
60, and repentance Is sure TO come later whom
We 6nd the winter 10 passing away without
any symphony concerts TO break In upon It's other
amusements Tho audience assembled last evening
was not equal to the occasion. Perhaps she people
hntod to say "fareweli;" nexersneless, a benefit ts
Mr.. Thomas should have received generous re-
spouse Tho programme was an intersVing one
though to many It may have seemed Q
trine heavy. Tho opening pccs was Beet
hovsn's "Cor,oIsnus" overture, grand.
Impressive composition, which respectfully
treated the hands OF this orchestra but tho fuli
meaning Of which was hardly conveyed. Mr. Thomas
ln.nt Of Beethoven and Wagner Mr.. Rommeris
followed with Schuborts "nopreIganger," the
sy m. 20 played
not hoard AZ hs best In iris selection 10
sounded rough and throaty, we may be
allowed tho term. Later IN tho evening he sang the
vocal part In the selections from Wagncr's "walk ure
and IN this he was heard to bettor advantage. The
great feature Of progr was the second yn-
phony OF Johannes Brahms played Tor tho nrst time
in this city. IL would be foolish TO pronounce upon
tho merits Of this com position after one hearing We
emily record our Impression first impression.
Coming after Becthovcn and schubert would put the
exceliences OF arcator composer than Herr Brahms
d
phony-which, by tho wav, 10 purely symphonic
and not programme music-s iignt and swcet
and suggests Meodclssonn. the adagio Is NOT
30 good, though therc is very SchumsDn-hks
passage NJ the close. but the nrst part 10
confused The allegrctto ie the best tho
- nud no s.na,1 on. ~ " wniuu sors
once recognized ard an cncsrs demanded The repe-
titon only confirmed tho FIRST opinion. rnc lass
Iivel,cr then the others. and ended with a noe
effect OF brass. Whether the audience thoroughly
sy s sss pe~ns % Of 20
Prise, and called him Out twice alter s performances
We must confess 10 some disappointment In tho
orehestrauon OF this ymphony, which was not No
hns AZ had ressou TO expect alter tho wonderful
arrang cement OF the Hungarian dances.
:, The secend par. Of me prosrsmme was opened ~
Hungarian airs, assisted ny tho orchestra Mr. PIN
ner displayed jhat neat execution anu admirable
touch which we have beiore had occasion To praise
wo should have preferred color in his playing
bat Mr. Piuner is SO excellent pianist that We dis
like 70 hnd even this fault. Ho was loudly
tor his encore. "wotan's FarcweiIi and tho
magic fire scene from tho "waIxure,n De-
lore referred to, closed the proaramme II
is worthy OF remark that the last piece played by
rhomas' orchestra New York should be OF ssnsrs
composition. Thomas taught us 20 admire the grsss
Germans music, anu wo owe htm debt OF gratitude
for that N tor nothing else
A. the close Of the concert Mr. Thomas was en-
Enthusiastically called out, aad stood bowiDg at the
front Of the platform whlc men chcered and womsn ..
waved thcr hsndkerchiefs.