The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-02-02
ADJUSTMENTS
The Symphony Society. Fourth Concert.

II the Symphony Society which Dr. Dam
rosch leads continues to give as perfectly
appointed concerts as that OF last evening. 1t
will 70 far toward extingushing the regret so
generally felt Mt the loss of Theodore Thomas
and his splenddly disciplined orchestra.
The programme Of the present concert was Of
irrrproachnble excellence and without any
weak point. or course It is not intended by
this that all parts OF the programme were
equally strong. but that there were none TINT
did npt add to the pleasure Of the evening. 1t
WIS made VI MS follows:
Saint sacnss symphony No >. In minor new.
h,"movcn concerto Tor violin and orchestra The
Weber. ",crturc to Eur,an,he.
NmkWahns scfrnntc No. >. In ID minor, for string
orchestra. with cello ohneato
.. Hnch's chacouuc for violin.
Liskt's symphonic poem. " Les Prelude"
This programme was further supplemented
by two other lesser pieces played 10y Mr.. Au-
gust Wilhclmy. who was the violinist. the first
being transcription from Wagners Master
singers Of Nuremberg" which he gave on being
recalled after tho concerto. and the second
romance of his own composition. played by him
upon the encore which followed his rendering
Of tho chaconnc.
And here it may be said that no little OF the
pleasure OF the evening and vast deal Of the
enthusiasm that prevailed in the audience. was
due to Mr.. Wilhelm. We scarcely remember
w huNt utulh uu uTllhl TfN'lNc u more hlOnIA-
ncous and universal tribute Of applause than
that which followed his playing IN the Beetho-
ven concerto. and it need scarcely be added
that 1t was thoroughly merited. which is by no
means always the cnse with popular raptures.
Mr.. Wilhelmy was evidently at his best. in
sound health and in sympathy with his music.
for he played with even more than his accus-
toned skill power and smoothness. No better
word occurs to us in q summary Of the quality
OF his playing than its intellectually. or course
no one word expresses any but the small
est fraction OF the qualities that 20 to
make up the sum of his great talent but
the prominent Thought that suggests itself to
ore listening to- his playing is tho inte.lectual
grasp that he has OF his subject. And for this
reason II is that We have always found him
least IN little things ana greatest In
great things. As. for example. last evening
he played two Of the greatest works that
have been written for the viou-Beethoven'
concerto and Bach's chaconne. None but
also OF great intellectual vigor can render
either. Rcmenyi. skiiul master Of tho
bow as he was. signay failed when he
attempted 70 play this concerto. and instead OF
illustrating Beeihov"ns power made man
Hest his own weakness. And we have
heard mos, ddcserving artists play the
rtery OF II that it really seemed 10 master
theiu-as great organ Will master and belittle
dience were twisting impatienty and wearily
IN their seats, with every indication OF being
fenriully bored.
The fac, is that there are but few players liv-
ing who can di-cntaugle the labyrinth Of har-
mony out ~ VIII Oh Bach has woven this " Cha
/ come and present u clearly and INTEL gently
and hold the attention o. the audience 20 the
end. When SO heard. II H. q wonderful exposition
ot harmonic beauty ana OF NOBLE and dlgniued
ana ingenious treatment AMI development OF
! themes. Saw. perhaps. Joachim Their" prOba-
! hly is no violinist living who could have rem.
dered tho two works in question so lucidly and
50 suprrby ns Mr.. WHh"lmJ lid last evening
The novelty Of the programme was saint
he ahl" TO say that u Is most valuable addition
To- the repertoire %: symphony concerts. and a
work that Is hy no means likely 10 Doe soon laid
aside. II mas great .i'mrni- ~ popn arity ana
won instant favor, The second movement was
repeated in compliance With the unmistakable
| drsir' W the auIirn'e. This work will place
Saint Saeus At the head % tn" French symphony
writer's. IL is not what the Germans would call
"A" soulful" work ike some Of the symphonies
/ 81 Beethoven. II has nothing 10 do with the
/ mysterious or the sublime. II belongs rather
/ to The romantic school % which Hoffman
mrnis ar. pleasing in form The themes are
/ strong and ~ mus "a Individuality. ard they arc
worked out with most delicate fancy and inn
! ~ nation with gr'Gi orchestra! color and con
! trastei tones AMI quaint Effects. There IS moth
| ing about il that l. commonplace on the one
but very much that II pleasiug AMI delightful
saint Sa-ns T. a man oi broad and rompre,
! hrns,y tastr, lie he- listened 10 a.l music and
/ has studied all models. That he has caught a
little I'M piratiol from Wagner WINS evident from
a Lohon.rin-like strain in one 81 the latter
| has not been % soma degree affected by his
| genius Saint Saens. however Is no plngiarist.
His style is his own. and Il very felicitous style
| its.
The other portions Of the programme do not
call for suefiul comment The several pieces
have been heard beior'. Mr. Bergner who
took tie vioonc"ho part In the Nolkmann
serenade. played IL with great taste ana
feeling. Nokmann's ser"nnder must have
been most lachrymoso inuiNiu9l, nlwnys IN
the minor and We ping mood. and with bent
toward suicide Mr.. Brr-n"r gave h sorrows
! IN" fullest rNurrssion OF Whlcn IN" Nloloncrll
there l. one quality ia which more than all
others the y.Oloncelo exce.s. II is that Of being
inconsOlabe.