New-York tribune., 1879-01-06
MTSIC AND THE DRAMA.
.rw-voRK SYMPHONY SOCIETY.

The third concert of the New-1O Sym
,bopv Socety given on Saturday evening at steInway
Hall pres~nteda a programme OF much more thah TUE
average interest aud freshness every number possessing
an exceptional charm ~
Unfinished symphony in minor I1ugrI
a" 'rO" >''A'' Miss Anna Drasdl. ,,,.-,,,....
Concerto for ranOid1e MT {TIaa i2p Rummc
Ia ''p'''' ''.'''' Miss Anna DrasdlL e.,uu,n.,
svmphouy In C. No
n WAS not only fine programme, but SOOd pei
forn,auce The orchestra. under DIR. Damroschs dTec
ton il gradually acquiring composure and soflue-s
which il lacked at first It is getting ITS gait II we
may borrow expression, and the sense OF stress o
uneasness OF undue heat, which narred our enloyneAt
pf the earlier concerts passing away. DT DanrDscL
is TO be graduated upon his Interpretation OF 'Ae
bcautfnl schubert fragment, aud OF schumanA's D,-
blest symphony. and upon the Quickness. too, WEI
which the players responded 10 his intentions an H-
te!Hgent. sympathetic and animated rendering OF t"o
such great works marks an event III the musical season
The Air from "Xerxes" which Miss Drasdn SAM in
the first Part OF III concert Is the famous Largo 70
well known by Helmesberger's transcription for solo
violin organ, harp, and strings, and by Theodore
Tnomass later arrangement for his orchestra II one
II the many instances in which single songs by Haude
aiken ont Of the operas for when they were composed
md adapted to novel uses, have survived immortal
while the WORKS to winch they belong are buried III
abliyion Miss prasdil TO be cOmplmented upon
ner pure and tasteful delivery Of this music
which il not at ali easy although 1t looks so
simple II must be confessed, however, that
with a thin pano-fOrte accompaniment the
effect was somewhat Disappointing. The orchestra
surely needed to supply substance and warmth ana
color TO the longsustaned notes OF the voice. Miss
DrasllI was recalled, however, aud gave HlIeFs
"Prayer,' which she always does Well In the second
par she distinguished hersrfby highly poetic iDterpre
taton Of a most delicate musical poem. Dr. DamIosch
has lad the public under many obligations during the
fl1rec "
known works or parts Of works. by Hector BerOz and
we know not how he can better serve the art
OF which be is such an enthusiastic disciple
than Dv continuing his Illustrations OF TINS
first OF the French rOmautcists Our audiences nave
nut an imperfect idea Of the wealth OF beautiful thoughts
hidden in the neglected creations Of the unhappy con-
poser who lived generation before his time, nor DO
they suspect much the modern German schOo! owes
70 him. oI how powerfully be has influenced the course
Of musical development in our time. " La Captve''
STYLED Revery voice and orchestra is all exquisite
setting OF a few exquisite stazas by Victor Hus" We
find in II an extremely happy combination OF the lyric
and dramatic styles; the melody retains unity Of gen
eral form while II changes necessarily with the varJ ng
sentiment OF a text which runs through singuldIH
wide of feeling, and the orchestra suPpors the
voice with eloquent addition when IS lot mere H
monc accompaniment, but an integral part OF ne poem
Here we have the poetic basis" trGy as IN the songs
OF Liszt.
The piano ore concerto OF the young Norwegian con-
poser Edward Greg. first played in New-forh by
Mr. Boscoytz the first symphony concert OF the sea-
son oflS747j 1t Is Of the most beautiful worE' OF
its class produced in time, fresh strong eodiouS
and original The opening allegro with It's two charm
ing themes in and major, and its tremendous
caderza the ndagio In fat with fts delicious melody
for the piano. accompanied by muted strings, and the
fiery finale with its grand maestoso climax, all these
three movements are admirable alike for the beauty oi
the ideas and the thorOughness and clearness of the
treatment sir. Rummels brilliant technique and for
cbe style we're much displayed in this immensely
difficult work than in the uncongeDal circumstances of
his dehui aud ne retired with the OF an unques
IA