New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1880-12-12
MUSIC.
ropV p4u.gAPMONIC SOCIETY.

The second public rehearsal and concert of the
pbiIbormanic Society of this clty which took place
at M Acade nv of Music on Friday afternoon and
last evening, showed no falling of from the
brilliancy OF the first performances. either IN the
size of the audience, the beauty of the programme
OF in the admirable work OF the orchestra and gave
every indication that the fair promise with which
the season opeae will I've fulfilled. The concerts
had especial interest because of the appearance OF
the nal. part of The chorus which NJ Thomas is
training 90 cooperate with the Philharmonic So
oiety. aud which hearl for the FIRST time IN pub
lie in Lisz.'s Faust symphony" The following
the programme:
Overture Corcl mus" or CD Beethoven
symptom. 10 : B MINOR nsaa!.ee'l; schubert
s OF sS " or 5wcr. Nr Max TicGaiG
Faust Nyupaouy
THIS was one of those admirable programmes in
The composition 81 wlich Thomas shows such rare
All Unlike that Of the las concert M which the
first part was ue best. this ono possessed an lncreas-
Ing interest .rom the beginning 10 the end and each
selection lei up 70 and enhanced the beauty OF that
which succeeded It. No one OF the pieces
was new save that from "SIccired'" bat
they were PM together with such just diScrim'na-
tion. the balance 50 perfectly preserved Tue
port rlaance was marked by such spirit ' gOr al"
refinement that tie whole possessed all Inc a''rac
strongest prcofs of IhomaS's greatness as con-
dncior that VITA each new rendering OF iaml!a'
works by his band finds III them hitherto
unsuspec,ed beauties, anI this can only
come from his deep and thorough IN
si.ht into thc spirit of the composition htm ana
comprehensive grasp OF IFS meaning, and absolute
command OF technical c,hods on expression Ihe
noble "Coriolaaus" overture was delightfully."-
PLAYED. and thc two move .aent, OF the unfinished
Sclulcr. Symphony. S. rich IN meiodlc grace, and
s. full OF carries poctc feeling, were given with
freshness and dcGcacy. and with breath and
sincerity winch reflected atresh all the familiar
charms. 40. revealed a every step new beauties.
The selection which Mr.. thomas made from
Slegfuac is -har portion of the opera in which
the vouug her. wc'ds anew MS fathers sword
"No.guug.~ >tgfie! las heard from Aime, the
d-vari. som.tlnr OF the history OF the
broken sword which can never be mended
hit ly one woo never anew Gear, aud taking the
sword hm.,,i eids DO together on an anvil.
accomt~aylue BIS work by song of joy ana
Triumph wlae Eipc croucbes near b aud
w4tcl.s him he determines that with the magic
sword >iaE1g.d ssal XIII FQHer the giant. who
GUARDS tlo ulsri ~ tn Nibelungs, and that One
the treasure IS -cl.ci he turn will pu- Sjcg'led
to slap with q poisoned dranght XII INN. and
Z le possession ot the gold; and he details ms
plan 80 a song which Gus up the IN
terysls of Si,grefs The music which
depicts tie -gng If the sword >eq6ied ham,
meIlue al ms anvil and the Kissing of the water
In which the heated steel Is tempered Is strong and
intensely dramatic and though. Ike ali the music
Of the trtralogy. il loses much Ia being separated
from IT'S surroundings IN the drama. it Is
glow e. vigorous and effective and re-
fleets almuby the rough. manly character OF
the young hero and the treacnerous cunning
OF the dwarf NJ Tower, who sang tne part Of
SieqOied. acquitted himself exec cnt Of a most
dimc ID. ,asa. The part Is very trying, and
be was sometimes overwhelmed by
the orchestra but be sang III broad.
frank fashion, never sparng himself. and doing hs
worh "a an intelligent and salts actofy man
ner. Mr. Trcumann. the Nine is
young b3rt re who has not been heard
here heretofore, but he produced excellent
impression. he POSSESSES fine voice ana 50 Tar
as could be told. q good method. The climax of the
concert came with the LIszt symphony Il was one
of those pcrforna ces that never hears but from
this orchestra and from this c0nductor-and rom
them even, ut arely-when every one, from Thomas
to the cymba PLAYER. Is MOI only IN the hap
picst mood but seems penetrated by
fervid and sngll-hcartcd love OF his ant
and gifted wi,l almost unnatual powers OF
expression. A. ID bis Symphonic Poems. List has
taken poetic idea anu attempted l. paint IL IN
music II s 10 strictly plooam'ne-music,
brt Il D. Impo,si lie TO understand IL with
out Il knowledge OF Goethe's poem. The
work is aivIIed INTO three movements. Faust
" Gretchen and Mephstopheics," aud List has
tempted to give sorc If musical charac er-
picture OF te ,hrsr leading personages o. the poem.
In this symphony poetic expression IL music Is car
ried TO is utmost limit. l. not easily understood,
bur when il IS the three characters ali seam 20 be
panied in sroug, g owing coiors. aud though the
work is oye.uu-h elaborated, the interest cannot
fiag T. Il fuu Of fire and feeling, and RUS
through tac whole gamut Of human pas
sion and bristles with technical difficulties which
aIe beyond tie mastery o. most bands
Bat las. night there seemed 70 lie no difficulties
lie playing of the orchestra spiendidl firm sure
and Brilliant waI.e-ach poetic idea. no matter how
involved. obscure oi elusive was brought OUT Oy
Thomas alth marvellous cleanes-, and Win such
broad glowing aud sympathetic interpretation, me
svlnplOny was OVERWHELMINGLY lupre isve. inc
work # the chorus excellent. Ii
saug with promptnrss and decision, tic shading
WAS - aIi IN, quality OF the voices was all that
could be desired. Ii has so lt.e 80 DO III TINS work
that there was no chance tor display, but It's Singing
was souua careful and Sufficiently nulsEed, aud II
gave fae promise If future excellence.
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