New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1884-04-06
MUSIC.
THE SYMPHONY SOCIETY.

THE SYMPHONY SOCIETY.
The sixth concert Of the Symphony Society
given last night in the Academy Of Music was not only
the interesting orchestral which the city
has been favored with this but one Of the
most interesting concerts ever given by the society. 70
was notable for the excellence OF the performance
for the excellence Of the music performed and II ntre
duced novelty Of exceptional beauty and Significance
The programme as follows:
Overture scherzo and Finale" ....... .Schumann.
Concerts for panoforte O minor. ...-...........Ron
Herr Carl Failten.
Quartet In C-sharp minor. op. l3i Beethoven.
scored for orchestra by Karl Muller-Iershsus.J
Fragment from Rhengod "............:... Wagner.
The novelty the orchestral transcription OF tho
Beethoven Quartet which has excited great deal OF
curious comment among the musicians OF the
city since IL first heard at pn-
vate rehearsal Thursday forenoon Of
last week In the first announcements Of the con-
cert, the managers, following the advertisement os
the German publisher, designated the work "a new
symphony Of Beethoven" IL IS in fact an arrange
meat for tho usual symphonic orchestrs
OF one Of the last FIVE quartes OF
Beethoven. The work done several years ago ~
Herr MillerBerghaus for the private orchestra OF
wealthy Russian nobleman, of which he was director
at Nice. IL performed several times In private
BY this body of musicians and In public at Milan,
when 1t called out enthusiastic praise from Signor Boto
The fact that Italian, though musician Of the adj
vanced type capable critic deemed the orchestraton
Of Beethoven strag quartet praiseworthy perform
ance does not seem have made much of an impression
in Germany where, far can learn the work has
not yet been performed. Il Is sad, however,
that Dr. Bulow has accepted IL Tor
performance, and we can look to the
fulnment Of his promise for lively contention among
the German critics the questions OF the intrinsic beauty
of the composition and the right of musician to put ono
of the most characteristic OF Beethoyens compositions
into new dress
We fancy there will be halrspitting on the subject
here unless be among the musicians. Our public -
little concerned with the subtleties Of musical
aesthetics, and is distinguished chiefly
by its ex' .ednary capacity for enjoyment
and the comprehensiveness of its taste.
The chief, II not only question concerning new Or
strange composition, goes TO its beauty, and any work
which has this quality Is likely to be hailed "a welcome
addition to the repertory OF our local con-
cert-rooms The demonstrations OF applause which
followed the performance OF this "new symphony" ~
well as the rap attention With which it heard LAST
night and at the matinee Friday, evidence Of
glad willingness the part of the people to accept 1t "a
legitimate work. entitled 10 take new position In tbs
list of Beethovens compostons-that OF practicable
orchestral piece.
For such an acceptance on the part of The
public the way was paved by the fsot
that the C-sharp minor quartet il rarely heard
even the half privacy Of classical chamber concerts
and in consequence its beauty and propHeU
Csince Beethovens death in controversy in
EurOpe), naVo bcdICcly pccu lVOSON hNA0
The qusrtes and the last five panoforte sonatas
Of Beethoven are to Of dsputaut not only ths
last but the most significant proclamation
which Beethoven, in whom pure music eliminated,
made to the world. When Wagner IN his memorial
pamphlet Beethoven wished 10 find musical iustra
ton OF his theory of an ArtstSants creative life, he
could think of nothing better than this quartet When
the critics Beethoven wish to prove their theory Of the
loss Beethoven through sickness, suffering and deaf
ness knowledge OF the relative value OF tonal ef-
fha ahf - f1s tat-
mens they point to this quartet or one OF Its companions
IN the set which occupied the most Of Beethoveu's
thoughts during the closing years Of his life.
II Is recognition OF the truth that lies both SIDES
this question which in opinion justified the re-
moulding OF the Csharp minor quartet short study OK
its contents will show that in spite OF its wonderful
exposition OF tho art of composition its thoughts IRE
Quenty feel the constrat put upon them by e chosen
vehicle OF s Eeee or we oIs we o
posed the Csharp minor quartet Beethoven wrote ms
the companionship OF the tsvonte instruments OF
pOetiLing musician but he could not easily rid his nind
OF the exaatiOn LUMINOSITY displayed IN Ills last 81 III
phony lie continued 10 utter his thoughts but through
the pianoforte and the string quartet .,...
Karl Miller Berghaus, musician equally eminent as
quartet player aud writer for orchestra out OF ms
love for the magneent work scored M for orchestra IN
ple and also in order that the beauties OF tns
dynamic for which they seemed TO long lilo
did his work in thoroughly reNerent spirit ana Whef-
quartet is heard In its dress we are sure
will plead its cause, and supply its own complete
justification. 1t has been widened wonderfully In It's
scope vivid color has been given TO 10 10 the destruction
of that m0notOny which ID drawback TO every string
quartet there has been what might be called re-
drawing OF the outlines OF the composition which has
accentuated purposes OF the composer which HERETOFORE
have revealed themselves only to study. Tie beautiful
variations have the beauty OF those ia tho
slow movement OF the choral symphony. and the ygor-
Gus finale speaks with tho eOquence which ml-
sicians knew put up In IL. The work was finely
played almost the only defect being occasional
hOsng the obOes jim the scherZo because OF the ex
tIemely rapid tempo called for by DR.. DamrOsch.
In Herr Carl Faelten we have learned TO know
pianist who is entitled to the respect OF all music lovers
In these days good technical equipment is not uncon-
mon, and We no longer look TO 1t as alone making tho
artists Herr Faeen has learned more than the me-
chancs his he has besides cultivated what
naturally have been healthy taste. and to have do
yelOped the pOetloa faculty which Is OF the hrst Import
ance in an Interpreting artist. lie made profound I'M
by his playing o the Ran concerto and supple
en,ed it with LISTS POOnaise In Il.
MUSICAL NOTES.
Mrs. G. NJ. Raymond sang last Monday tor tho
working women the city entertainment arranged
by the Young Women's Christian Association.
Mr.. John White, organist of st. Xavier's
Church. will abroad to spend three Of study
in Germany
yAN