New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-11-18
AND THE DRAMA,
TIE SYMPHONY SOCIETY.


rrbe krst concert of the sixth season of the
s-nnhonv society took place last evening in the Academy
\, Musc The programme embraced at least four
xt,ongly characteristic selections, besides In
sroaucins a new candidate for public favor In
che person OF NJ Divide Musn, young Belgian volnst
Ehe scheme was as follows:
Overture "Anacreon ".................. .Cherubini
Concerto iOf ''0 N. Divide Musin
Symphony, No. q in major. Beethoven
Variations a gayotte Of COrcllts. Tartmi
NJ. Divide Musin.
Symphonic poems, "Mazeppa "-.......-......LlsN
tits TO regretted that the society which has shown
ruoh cOmmendable zeal in the promotion OF highciasS
music ever organized five years ago ana mas
won it way to recognition in the face OF many et
easements cannot be congratulated now that its postum
and future assured, upon the composition Oh 10
NewYork is richer In good orchestral musicians tna '
c,tv IN the world: TO this fact Dr. Damrosch mas
horne willing testimony 1t ought, 'hercloie'
TO be possible to form Oand VI n'
class musicians with good instruments, yar
anced, experienced and capable IN tno =,
OF the players, and in the on'i so0T,
the majority OF them, there u'e' nov ,,ol
20 - hesn snv practice Of niggardlness
IN the mart OF the Symphony society, ye' lHo "N'oN
paniments, though always -
alwavs marred by faults OF hnu
~n,oS ., ,voud SEEM ought most easily to be guarded
..'na, The originality, intelligence and virility
20 mr. Damrosch's readings give his con-
car,. a charm even when he ouarrels with accept
ed canons of Interpretation Last night these eehen'S
shone with brightness In the closing numDersi
but tho pleasure and satisfaction wmoh tney
rave were hurt by discordant woodward
choir and occasional exhibitions OF soveniness In each
department Of the band. The symphony was
the chief sufferer from these causes, De-
cause its generally transparent structure does
not brook impurty Of ntonation. The fact too that
though its technical difficulties not by means as
great as those In LISTS errato composition,
N aoiy
the surmise that In the preliminary study undue stress
was laid upon the latter piece. This by the way, was
given without the aud OF an explanatory programme-an
inudicious operation There not even an alllslon
TO Victor Hugos poem upon which 1t Is based LiFzts
symphonic poems not familiar enough to submit TO
such treatment. The simple tite Mazeppa calls up
picture true, OF the terrible ride which Byron has
painted but this does not eubOdy all that Hugo put into
his long poem. 1t would be well, when the work Is per
formed hereafter TO append to the programme transa-
ion of much Of the poem discriminating mind can
recognize as the subject matter of this piece of onal
painting These extracts might be- first the lines de
scbing the main features OF the three days ride and
the suerings of the hero second its cndthc stceG Is
dead and Mazeppa.
Tout tachete de sang, plus rouge que erabo
Third the last lines which evidently are intended TO be
expressed in the only portion OF the work which the
majority OF the persons who hear 1t will agree in roCog
MIXING brilliant and beautiful music:
EnHn lie terme arrive. d. IL court, II vOe, IL tombc,
Et SO relieve rOi!
The march, with its sounds of barbarc splendor was
brilliantly given last night
NJ Musn was less satisfactory than at the public re-
hearsa That he is Of the stuff Of which great vrtuOs
are made was evident enough In his play
ing, however He has remarkable facility OF execution,
but his left hand and his right arm have not kept
pace in their development. His bowling is admirable,
and equal TO the severest tests OF PagaNi.is
studies. In canabie playing his stopping
is also excellent and his inonaon correct but IN rad
passages it becomes little slower-a result that
seems to be due rather to carelessneas than
to want OF true The truth OF this
was proved by his playing OF the slow movement OF the
concerto which marked by lovely. II not deep, c1-
preston aud exquisite phrasing His good qualities met
with hearty recognition and he was recalled after tie
Tartni variations.