The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1884-03-06

rHR sYMpHoNY coNorRr.

The first concert in the Stockbridge supple
mentary course was given at City Hall last
evening, in the presence las was to be expect
ed,) OF an audience superb in quality, and of
good size, although it is 20 be regretted that
the house was not crowded. Herr Hensehel,
as usual, oficiated as conductor, and Mrs. E.
Humphreys Allen of Boston, was the vocalist
of the occasion.
The piece de resistance of the evening was
the celebrated fifth symphony Of Beethoven.
in Q minor, work that is acknowledged as
the most perfect instrumental composition of
Beethoven's, and consequently the finest SYM
phony ever written. 1t is a veritable tragedy
in music; full of mystery and grandeur. One
of the greatest authors las said, nothing can
be simpler than the leading idea.oft the qlleoyo
which consists merely G. two bars and begins
with 3 --.ssonal phrase. 1t would seem as if
some one was fearing q dire catastrophe, and
venting his anguish in sharp cries, but soon
bright image appears and eliminates the
gloom (the exquisite theme in major, first
indicated by the horn in E fat major). Sim
pie as is the theme, most exquisitely do the
secondary and intermediate subjects unite
with it, developing the idea of the composer.
The phrases are short, continually changing
from wind instruments to stringed The pro-
portions are perfect, and the lovely theme of
the ondallte con n1oto introduced by the vic.
las, and violin solo, sound like a sweet voice
from the spirit land. But even here, the
dread shadow, which doomed in the aueqro,
bursts from the storm-clouds, depelllng the
beautiful forms that seemed to be lowering
around us. Mark the singular modulations of
the Scherzo, the concluding choruses. in the
dominant msior-which the bass repeats in the
minor key-and then notice how the theme
breaks in, like bright sunbeam, among the
1ublant chord OF instruments in the concud.
lug movements. lie is said that Goe the after
hearing Mendelssohn play this symphony on
the piano-forte, remarked, "What must it be
when played by full orchestral" II Goethe
could have heard the orchestra play it last eve
ming who can estimate his raptures. The sym.
phony has not been heard here before for more
than decade,-when Thomass orchestra pre-
sented it-and it appealed TO the audience with
all Inc freshness that appertaiDs to first hear
ing. The orchestra was in solendid FORM and
received the compliment of the almost breath.
less silence OF their audience, especially dur
ing t cir magnificent rendering of the onddnte
Ot the other orchestral numbers, the ballet
music Henry Wild by Saint Sasns, was espe.
cl.ly noticeable for it's rich coloriDg. its novel
effects, and continual surprises. It seemed
remarkably odd to hear the familiar strains Of
when Johnny Comes Marching Homs' and
other well known airs introduced aud alter.
mating with the bizarre aud almost baroario
clash and clang Of the Gypsey dance, the beau
tlful Scotch air, in the idJll, played ON the
sweetest bag-pipe ever heard ian instrument
ihaEis painful, usually, to the ears of our peo-
ple) and the bouquet nj Scotch songs in the
finale. Then there was most meodious ard
celiehtfnl DaoTceGu Gounod's entr' acte LA
Colombo" SO descriptive of the wbirs aud
hlsh's of the dove, Spontni's overture of
Mo anA p.1tk1n Ok
from LA CdrnaUal," with its shriekipg per
rois It's dalcet serenade, and all the brilliancy
and dash for which the COMPOSER is famous
Mrs. r. Humphreys Allen has not appeared
in concert in Portland in a long time, and
when she last favored our eoDcert-goers she
did not make very strong impression. On
this occasion, however, she was heard at her
best. Her voice is of excellent quality, clear
and smooth, and she sang Remedies ballad,
"Spring Flowers" accom- panied by Mr. Hem
schel on the piano, and Mr.. Listemann on the
violin, with most perfect taste. She was re-
called, and repeated Il part OF the ballad. Mr.. |
ListemanD, whose great skill IS a sol1 violin
ist 70 well known, rendered the dddgio and
rOnd0 from Paganini'S concerto in ID IL ajor in |
magnificent -tSle, awakening the house to the
gr attest enthusiasm, but he declined repeti-
lion
The concert was one that will be long re-
membered.
MARGARET MATHER.
Miss Margaret Mather, the rising young ira
gedieDne of the American stage, who made a
very favorable impression in Portland at her
first appearance last season, will present her
self before Portland audience next Monday
and Tuesday evenings, in LEAH" and Julia
in the "Hunchback." The sale of seals will
commence at the box Office this morning
THR MUsEUM COMPANY.
1t is but seldom that the Boston Museum |
sends out its regular company on the road. |
just now. the opera Princess Ida," is occupy
ing that theatre, and the company is putting in |
a few weeks on the road, presenting two of |
their best plays, "Led Astray" and "a Cele-
brsted Case" The first will be presented |
Friday night, and the last Saturday night |
The sale of seats yesterday was large.
NOTES.
The condition Of Lester Wallsck's health is
such that his return to the stage is said to be
extremely doubtful. He is So years old, and
has been Oh the stage since 1S47, appearing
first under the name of John Lester