The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-12-20

most complimentary rule of judgment to apply to
these able players. The composition fell rather
coldy upon the house. the youthful element. which
il so large component these assemblages. rot
approaching it at and with the more matronly
portion of the audience but languidly applauding
the excellent orchestral work.
Schumanns symphony No. 1. b fiat. which is so
perfect form and of the most enjoyable or his
works. was as popular Yesterday. despite its ire.
was played, some thirty five or forty years ago. IL
is characteristic OF the composer in its outlines
that IL is most interesting 10 those who admire ms
symphonies even II its tone tint Is not always me
il some Of its details in the handling of the wind
Under Mr.. Thomas baton it heard at its best
yesterday every beauty of its composition being re-
pathos receiving equally careful interpretation.
The Wagner selection was gwen that consistency
in conception and execution which the Phiinarmonic
orchestra has always shown in Wagners music
under Mr.. Thomas direction. ''Die Meistersinger
Won NHrnberg'' has always been very popular with
our regularly organized orchestras and their patrons
and by the way it will be Remembered that one of
the best successes made by Wilhelmj last year was
in the Pries-lied at the Damrosch symphony
certs. Yesterday the brass not always prompt.
and the strings well Jagged little. but the
general effect OF thorough success. aud the
One of the features of the afternoon was the sing
ing of Sisnor Galass In the romance from "Tann-
hauser" 1t was without exception, the best effort
he has made this season. and was thorough and
finished piece OF vocalism. The treatment OF the
song throughout. in voice and phrasing. was re-
markable and to the amateur or professional 1t was
equally enjoyable. His singing in this selection last
season was very good, but yesterdays was better.
and the triple call he received was no more than
recognition well earned.
Mile. Valleria sang. "Ocean! Thou Mighty Mon
ster" with varying degrees OF excellence. In some
parts Of the sele cion she hne and most OIL
her notes rang out clearly, though the high sus,
tanned note of the introductory phrase was limited
and husky. She hardly possesses the volume OF
voice the necessary dramatic quality required to
do full justice to the aria throughout. though the
force. Mile valeria's pronunciation of English
words is remarkable in its foreign accent FOR BAL
timorean. and it gives the bad impression OF oeing
either atfectation ignorance OF her mother
tongue. Whichever is the true cause 1t Injuries her
singing Of English music. and it should be corrected
or she should confne herself to Italian selections.
The duo with Galassi was fairly done but was moth
ing remarkable. considering the tine reputation or
the artists who undertook 1t.
HERR JOSEFFY AT CHICKERING HALL
The Hungarian pianist's concert last evening was
fairly attended, and Herr Josefy's performances
were literally appauded. It may be taken as fair
test OF his ability and popularity that he can be put
down night after night for many pieces IN pro-
gramme as he has been playing OF late. 1t
implies wonderful endurance well as high
artistic power to play seventeen numbers
within two hours. and yet no signs Of WEAKNESS
either in performer or audience to DO visible.
This he did last evening. There was no particular
novelty in the programme Pieces Of lighter motive
they usually do. for while he has
shown nlnSo1 aDle 10 luterpreg Inc great tAoukAT
full masters feehngly, his bent, we are assured,
is more in the direction Of ornament than
emotion or toward emotions Of the brighter order.
All that is conveyed in brliance. sparkle, grace in
fancy, light aud to the very verge or possible
to his precise. enforced execution The ins'su-
ment becomes the voice Of all that is de-
as he sits 80 quietly before 1t.
He does not test the imagination too
severely breath OF deep feeling, burst of strong
emotion is heard. and while the soul is thrilling
reaDOnsiVo to It. tender tone euCC0euH. linen III
moment the fancy is taken captive once again with
the birdlke call of airy voices. 1t is as though
one touched with grief or anger was to
turn his head and sec red autumn leaves
falling round him. while out in the
broad vista before him fountains were sparkling in
the sunshine amid the gayest flowers. Josefy may
wear the black garments Of Hamlet or the robe OF
Cesar for q scene. but he is whirlng away in
the Dance clad in the diamond coat OF Prince Ester
hazy This, 1t seems to u.s. is why he never wearies.
The Mendelssohn Variations serieuses" were given
with due breadth of fulness; the Chopin nocturne
and Polish chant were rendered respectively
with tender melancholy and impressiveness;
dimlnuendo, and the warm, sensuous Pergolese aria
were touched with feeling. but In the Bach chro-
matte fantasy. the Handel allegro, the Schubert
List s.Auf dem Wasser," the Strauss-Tausig waltz
(encore). his Spnnlied. his gavotte. the second
hungarian rhapsody-ay. even in tue quaint Haydn
variations, the diamonds dropped in thousands
from his fingers. People love diamonds.
Herr Joseffy assisted by Miss Franklin. who
sang al Primo Amor" of Widor, 1.-THE Lotos
Flower Of Schumann and Arditis 'Forosetta.
She was recalled after the FIRST two but her voice
seems one OF those organs for which cultivation has
boon unable to do much and to which nature Ut the
start was not lavish III the raw material.