The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-03-02
THE SYMPHONY SOCIETY.
It- Concert ~ steinvay HAL Under Dr. DAM
rosch's Leadership.


The Symphony Society, under DR.. Dam
rosoh gave it's Nth concert last evening at Stein
way Hall. in presence OF the usual large audi
ence that attends this series.
The programme consisted Of Oherubini's
Anacreon" overture. concerto for
pianoforte and orchestra by Scharwen-
ka, n cantata by Greig. and Berlioz's
Symphony Fantastique. This certainly is a
programme made up in the most liberal and
catholic spirit. and constrained by no narrow
views az to tho nationality Of music. The first
piece was the production OF an italian. the
second OF Pole tho third OF Nor
weglan. and the fourth OF French
man. For n wonder. nothing by German.
unless tho handing over Of Scharwenka's coun-
try TO Germany makes him one; and rs DR..
Damrosch 10 80 truly German In spirit and
race II is evident that in the highest interests
OF his art he is seeking to keep pace with mod
ern progress In music. and to honor and Illus
trate II wherever II is found.
II we Anglo-Saxons are not represented upon
his programmes. 1t Is evidently because we
have produced nothing unsteady to entitle us
to a place there.
Probably the most interesting OF the compost
lions was Grieg's cantata. AT the Cloister
Gate" tvor Sndens Klosterl. 1t was given once
last winter. and then attracted great admira-
ton. 1t was written for solo voices. female
chorus. orchestra and organ. and is work OF
great purity and simplicity OF style and senti-
ment, poetic, imaginative, and graphlcally de-
scriptive.
young girl has lost at once both lover and
father. the latter being slain by tho former and
in the presence OF the maiden. She beats upon
the convent gate begging admission and place
to hide her sorrow. and being answered by tho
nuns from within.
reputation for its young author in Germany,
and indeed throughout Europe. He found a
warm friend in Listz, who has done more than
any living man TO foster the talent Of young
musicians and to bring them into public notice.
At Weimnr Listz gave concert composed en-
tirely Of Scharwenka's works. and Mt Berlin he
played this concerto with great success.
1t Is full OF bold effects. n Kaleidoscope sue
greatest difficulty, In breadth Of style, and
structure the work has almost symphonic
character. II Is conceived In tho highly
wrought and intellectual style Of tho modern
German school,
Mr.. Bockelman played the pianoforte part
with great power aud Intelligence, though he
has somewhat stin and mechan ical style.
Berlioz's Fantastic symphony has been IA
nous battle ground Tor critics during the past st
music are still as much divided as ever
concerning its merits and those OF its
talented composer. Those who cling to tho
reconcile themselves TO this music OF sensation
alsm and effect But II Ia safe TO say that
Berloz Is more rightly understood and his
genius more correctly estimated in this day
than IN his own and Y wonderful to rG OBJ
how far he has anticipated and led the way. TO
the most modern orchestral effects. II Is but
now that tho extremists OF our time have
caught up with the spirit In which he wrought
and TO which his own countrymen turned 30
deaf an ear.