Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1881-02-01
NEW YORK MUSIC SOCIETIES.
The OratOriO Society Grand M usEcal
Festival In May-BerliOszss 'tDam-
nation de Faust, - Philharmonic
Society-The Symphony Society of
New York.

NEW YORK January 27.-There are three mu-
sical organizations in this city that have come
to be regarded as permanent insti-
tutions, representing the highest order
of talent which the country af-
fords. 1t is unquestionably due, in large
measure, to the influence Of these societies
that the musical taste of the metropolis has
been advanced to its present high standard of
refinement and discrimination, which will no
doubt compare favorably with that of London
or Paris, or indeed with any of the musical cen
tres of continental Europe. Should this asser-
tion appear bold one that requires confrma-
tion it may be stated that it is the expressed
opinion of Col. Mapleson. the we'll known i'm
pressario of Italian opera troupes on both
sides of the Atlantic, that New York audi
ence is quito as exacting in its demand for first
class artists and as fully appreciatige of the
best and highest styles of musical compost
tions as can be found at similar entertain
ments Ia the most cultured cities of the old
world; and the same sentiments are also main
tanned by managers of concert troupes and
others, who have had the largest experiente
and the most ample opportunities for observa-
tion.
THE NEW YORK oRAToRIo SOCIETY,
with a chorus Of some five hundred voices that
have been developed under the careful train
ing of DIR. Leopold Damrosch has already en-
tered upon its eighth season and exhibits a
degree Of efnciency that can hardly be sur
passed even by the famous Handel and HAYDN
Society, which has long been the pride of Bos-
ton. The first production this season of the
Oratorto Society was Mendelssohn's Elijah,
This was followed by Handels Messiah. and
afterwards by Berlioz's Domination de Faust.
The last mentioned was given In coHnec-
ton with the Symphony Society of New
York, and proved to be decidedly the
musical sensation of the season. It was first
given in Steinway Hall, which was crowded to
md V1YI71a ahafs Hyar
unable to gain admittance. There was great
demand for its repetition, and it was accord
ingly given second time at the Academy of
Music, but even this immense auditorium was
insufficient to accommodate the crowd that
was eager to listen to this truly marvellous
production of Hector Berlioz
The Oratorio Society Is at present engaged
in preparation for the grand musical festival
to be given in this city during the first week in
May next The immense new armory building of
the Seventh Regiment has been secured for the
occasion, which, after it has been fitted up will
accommodate 10000 spectators. Among the
selections in active rehearsal for the festival
are HandePs Dettingel Ie Deunl Rubenstein's
TO1Cer of Babel, Berlioz's Grand Requiem and
Beethoven's Choral Symphony The Oratorio
Society is the nucleus of the grand Festival
Chorus, but there are five other choral So
cieties. in this and adjacent cities, THAI are
now studying the same music, and with these
accesSions the Grand Chorus will be aug
mented to 1900 singers in addition to soloists
and an orchestra of $50 musicians. The whole
THE PHILHARMONIC SOCIETY
is one of the oldest in the country. In enter
ing upon its thirty ninth season, it had the
good fortune to secure the services of Theo-
dore Thomas, as director, and in its series Of
entertainments has thus far met with unquali-
fed success. The third concert of the series
will take place on the 18th OF February, on
which occasion Beethovens celebrated Ninth
symphony will be given with choral depart
ment of one hundred voices; also a cdntGta by
Bach, together with choice selections for or
chestra. The two remaining concerts of this
season will be given on the 12th of March and
April respectively.
THE SYMPHONY SOCIETY OF NEW YORK
is of comparatively recent date this being only
its third season. But it was very full and COM
plete in its organization and its membership
embraces large proportion OF the best musi
clans in the city,w have been for three years
under the superior skill and direction OF the
popular conductor, Dr. Leopold Damrosch who
has brought them to state of perfection not
to be excelled by any orchestra in the country
or perhaps in Europe. Their entertainments
are uniformly regarded as special occasions of
interest among the best musical circles Of the
city, and even their public rehearsals are
crowded to the utmost limits of Steinway
Hall. The fourth of their series of concerts
for this season will be given on the 5th of Feb
ruary proximo, and will present unusual at
fractions to all admiraFS of classical music