The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-01-27
AMINEMENTS.


The Llederkranz Society has most sensl-
bic fashion OF enjoying life at its ample rooms
in It's club house in Fourth street. Just now
tho society is full OF the activity Of preparation
for it's great annual ball TO bo given at the
Academy on the 18th OF February; but never
theess 1t finds time for a quiet and pleasant
concert such as that Of last evening.
The programme consisted OF a quintet by
Beethoven. the finale 10 Memberships unfin-
ishod opera. "Loroley." n Transcription for
piano from Wagner's walknre." and some
male voice part songs. The singing Of the So
ciety at those evenings at home" is not as
careful In finish Ms whom they make moro
formal appearance in public. but II Is always
Tho most interesting piece upon tho pro-
Rramme was undoubtedly Deethoven's quintet
for oboe carionet. bassoOn. horn. and piano. Ii
isamost fascinating compost ion.Rnd 1t II avon
der that our clubs that have II IN their power to
do such work-such. Tor example. IN the Phllhar-
monte Club-do not oitrner take II up IL IL "A
splendid example Of the manner In which a
great composer treats five instruments. pre-
serving tho individuality Of each. and giving to
each a legitimate part. and not merely the task
OF filling up harmOnics. II also was bcauti-
fully played, being phrascd with all the art that
trained singers would bring TO vocal com
position and accented with artistic excellence.
Mr.. Franz Rummel. whose high qualities we
have often had reason Ia praise, was the plan
list. His solo pieces consisted ~ three trnn-
scriptions from Wngner's "Wnlknre" tho first
X
great fire scene. and the third the ride of the
Walkyries. All of theso have been made
thoroughly familiar TO all concert goers through
the Interpretation Of Mr.. Theodore Thomas =
orchestra and the Philharmonic. under the lead
of DR.. Damrosch.
The TRANSCRIPTION was from tho hand OF Mr..
Louis Brnssin. Probably ho has done all that
human ingenuity could do TO reduce to the
compass Of tho pianoforto keyboard these
mighty tone pictures OF Wagner. But as we'll
might one attempt u pen and ink sketch OF
Titian's marvellous assumption at the Academy
at Venice with all its wealth OF superb color md
completely Of detail. rs To hope Ia reproduce on
n pianoforte these vast and gorgenusly colored
and dramatic sound paintings OF Wagner. The
whole spirit Of Magners philosophy Of art IL
opposed to il. II was bad enough to tear them
away from tho legitimate framework of stage
and costume and vocal Illustration and to set
them for orchestra. but 10 mako this further
reduction and to attempt 10 describe
the shimmerng hres Of the great Fener2auber
with tho majestic tones Of trombone and brass
Instruments. aud the flashes Of lightning in
the Malkure rift through the humping Of d
piano il n reduciiO al dbsurddm-almost 4
farce. There would be a better excuse for this
II we had no orchestras, or II those orchestras
had not already done the thing SO exceeding
well.
The piece certainly was well adapted to show
| Mr. Rummcls great power; but ho IL too I'm,
nm artist 10 waste himself in acrOhatc feats o
this KIND or to attempt the impossible. Let the
Transcription business especially the tran
scription of Wagncr-hc done 10y lesser men.