The New York herald., 1878-12-21

spirational quality is found In the "Eroica than IN
any other of. the great composers symphonies.
Beethoven was in his political sentiments 70 the
very marrow republican. 1t is said that Piatos
''ltepublic" was transfused into his flesh ana
blood, and that npon the principles Of the
philosopher he estimated all the constitu-
tions of the world. Confdinsly believing
that Napoleon designed to repubicanize France upon
such principles and convinced that the general re-
construction of the world from which would result
universal happiness would attend Bonapartes be-
ginning OF the new ytyme in France, he wrote this
gigantic symphony to do homage to his hero ana
poured into it the burning enthusiasm of his patriotic
love OF liberty When Beethoven heard that Napoleon
had caused himself to be declared Emperor. he tore
the title with its dedication to his idol from the
first fair copy he had made and threw the work upon
the floor from which he would not allow ii to be lifted
When the exilcd Emperor drew his last breath in St.
He lena Beethoven sarcastically remarked that
teen years before he had composed appropriate
to this catastrophe. in which it precisely fore.
told musically, although all nnwittingly. auding,
of course, to the dead march-the third move
ment Of the symphony; In sngsestveness.
wealth Of harmony this immortal tribute
to the stricken genius that inspired 1t stands
alone, and it never be heard without feelings Of
reverence and awe. It was interpreted most wor-
thy by the superb orchestra OF the society and its
performance throughout reflected the spirit OF the
phonic poem BY Tschakowsky, illustrating the NTH
canto OF Dantes Inferno and especially depicting
the episode of Francesca of Rimni But the elab-
orate and powerful composition is by no means
confined Us the programme OF yesterday dis
tnctly stated, to the plant Of the doomed
Francesca the descriptive yers of which was alone
quoted on the programme. The music illustrates
almost the entire canto describing, according to
Cary rendering of the argument the descent or
Dante into the second circle OF hell where he be-
holds Minos, the internal judge. by whom he is ad-
monishcd against entering those regions. The
punishment Of carna sinners is depicted according
to the they tossed about ceaselessly by
furious winds IN the Daca mr. Inc episode 1 q
lows, and Is i'll turn succeeded by grand harinonies
descriptive Of the fearful doom that follows.
The opening movcmcnt-andantc lugubre--is . de-
cided following OF the school OF Lszt and
Wagner. and is opu ent in effects Of Instruments
ion and in weird suggestivcness. The second move
ment describing the wild revels OF the demons as
they ride upon the winds Is in the vein OF Wagners
"Die Walknre.' and its theme is not dissimila1
to the well known song .of the Walkyries.
which. very probably. suggested the idea OF the
composition TO the Russian master The most beauti'
fu aud original movement is the andantc cantabile in
which Francesca is celebrated. In its decacy i'll ts
beauty Of harmony and its novel and mastery in
surpassed BY any other modern composer and would
alone have justified the performance OF the work
here had it offered nothing else.
The fantaisie is not work to be thoroughly ap-
prccated indeed, altogether understood, ut first
hearing. and yesterday it was given. IS has been
noted with the disadvantage OF imperfect explana-
ton. which. it is to be hoped. will be amended to-
night by the addition OF the few lines from Cary
necessary to make its entire meaning clear. The
orchestra did full justice to the sngularly cxacting
work. The only other orchestral selection was
the pastoral from the symphonic Fantastique." by
beriIoL WLcu seFVcu as al engaging courast " tAo
grander works between which it placed. The
soloist Miss Minnie Hauk. who enhanced the in
terest and variety OF the programme by singing the
songs, ..wenn cs doch immer so blicbe." by Rubin
stein, and ..Haide Roslein,' by Schubert. The
charming artist has appeared to better
advantage than in these songs which
among the severest tests that can be ap-
piled to a singer, especially an operate singer.
Her fascinating rendering Of the Schubert song drew
forth enthusiastic plauits not often witnessed in the
stad Philharmonic audiences and, after several
calls the artist forward and gave very appro-
a1x in RrI1s
Elm yogelein," by Gustav H0lzel. which, unlike most
songs Of its class. has distinctive originality and
brilliancy a. well. The same programme will be
peated tonight, with the addition OF BeethoyenA q
'.Ah Perfdo," sung by Miss Hauk.