New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1881-12-04
MITSIC AND THE DRAMA
THE SYMPHONY SOCIETY.

THE SYMPHONY SOCIETY.
Tho second concert of the Symphony society az
Stairway Hall last night was more mtros'ine "
the novelties in its programme than Ior 'no r.s
in which the music was played nc vi"
All. seosor seems TO have acquired some ne"
elements which ought, with sufhcieht s'uuS -
telliren, direction, to enable II nla'eliarS ~
t,orovo its standard but there Is apparent
an tho crudeness of tone in the wlhd III
.+rrmants both wood and brass ana INC ao-
.onoo If nrscision and refinement IN expression
which have made the socetys concerts uisaPPoin'-
uents comparatively speaking, III paS' Se"oon'
The programme was as foIlo"s' ,
Quinte1lres m for orchestra by Dr. Damrosch
po,r,} Concerto for PianOOre, Opus a. SalhtSaehs
Madame Madeline Schiller o,.
sympnony in major, Opus 93 .BeeIho'eh
The first three of these numbers were given IN
nublc here for the first time at the preparatory re-
hearsal to this concert last Thursday afternoon
The Norwegian melodies for stringed instruments
are musical confectiOns pretty but trlHlhE'
The Transcribed quntette and the piaholor'e
concerto il not of the highest musical Importance
are bright and cheerful IN character ana are eAcue"-
ingly interesting as specimens OF "II'ins,
were not ill assorted for the frame OF NINA Whch
+bov induced was favorable to the en-
;ornopt of Reethoven's most eXubcrant ana
light-hearted symphony
To an evening of delightful entertainments tnerc-
fore. there was the only drawback OF not always
satisfying performance. The playing OF the men
gave the impressionofns Tor the de-
fects were all such as might have been avoided Uh-
couth and too hOiserOus tones from the brass cho'
dscorlant notes occasionally from the reeds, care
less bowling from the strings, and general aoSeoce
oflightncSs grace and ease III productoH-theSe are
the siI which must be held up to the Symphony So
,ipit nf fpult
better work is possible on the part OF the men anu
Their conductor.
So long as i transcription Of piece OF music can
either id to its intrinsic charm or widen the cir'le
of its appreca i've hearers we do not conceive that
n discussion of Dr. Damroschs right TO make an
orchestral arrangement of Schuberts ADMIRED
uuintette is of profound interest 10 the puoic'
II is sufficient for them if the new vehicle winch
CONVEYS the beautiful thoughts of the composer Is
one which is popular and elective. Dr. Dam
rosch's work which is learned and skilful has GER
+ainIv shown that the qwnette has thoughts
which can be expressed beautifully in other
tints than those employed by their ere
ator. He has given them color and variety
which they could not get from the simple comolna-
tions of the original setting and so far rs the puohc
isconcerned he has raised piece of chamb music
which appealed to the understanding OF
small class to the importance of sym
phonv which appeals by its greater mass OF
4one IFS more eloquent power of expression, and
its Increased brilliaDcy of color and variety to
mnch larger class. So far this larger class is
concerned therefore. the end has Justlhed the
means Ii must be admitted, too, that Schu-
berts music n accepted the change very grace
fully. Especially is this true of the
slow movement in which there is already s9gges-
ton of the need of variety If Instruments IN the
bits of dialogue which are carried on over ana
around the flowing melody aud the scherzo, which
with ii merry hunting song theme calls for horns
and the other instruments which suggest Uhe woods
and fields midnight and OdOrOuS brcezes. Inc last
movement has lost gracefulncSs and hghtness II Is
q merry dance, and whore SCbuberts dancers
stepped with airy feet, Dr. Damr0schs clatter Wlth
plebeian bOisteTousnesS.
want of harmony Of feeling and understanding
between Madame Schiller and DR.. Damrosch pre-
vented the new planoforte concerto from unioIdlns
all its beauties. A great many passages from the
solo instrument were entirely drowned
by the orchestra and there was ire
suently a want of precision The performance
was therefore less satisfactory than others wnlch
Madame Schiller has given us since her return from
europe bur it was yet very meTi toriOus. he con-
certO has fancitu pecQlIaritles III makes Tree
with the old sonata form. 1t Is divided INTO TWO
parts in each of which there are changes OF
time The first seems to be only an
extended introduction to the second, in which
the principal matter of the concerto is discussed
6nt 5t has n noble second subject beautiful choral
melody which occuTs again with a rhythmic change
as the subject of the G. ose. The piano through0u
is treated as an integral part the orchestra and
affords 50 slight opportunity loT supefhCial
display thar%he work will probably not become a
ponular one with piano players. AS coming from
The leader of the French school, however, II IS
very interesting composition.