New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1884-05-07
MUSIC IN PHILADELPHIA.
OPENING OF THE SECOND FESTIVAL.
AN OUTCOME OF THE CINCINNATI FEsTIyALS-oNE |
or BAcH's CANTATAs REsCoRED.

OF BACHS CANTAIAS hESCOhbD'
IRON A STAFF CORRESPONDENT or THE rRTBUSEl
PHILADELPHIA, May 6.-The SECOND Phla-
dephia Musical Festival began at the Academy of Music
this evening under circumstances not altogether prOp
tlOus Many experiences in the past have shown that THIS
cit rs musical enthusiasm Is rainproo and rain
fell all day. and there was nothing the programme cal
cuaed to exert an unusual attractive force 1t created no
surprise Academy not crowded and that the
enterprise had beginning In nothing except us
gin did the recall the notable festivals whch
have been held bi-ennialy In Cincinnati since 1870
The Philadelphia Festivals offspring OF those at
Cincinnati In 1873 the excitement throughout the west
over the Cincinnati Festival very great and the direct
ors at the close of tho musical week found themselves
possessed of much money that they SGT aside portion
OF il az a prize 10 be completed for by American com
posers. In 1850 Mr. Dudley Buck was the successful
competitor Two years ago Mr.. W. W. Gilchrist OF this
city carried away the prize with an exceed
ingly mertorious setting Of psalm for
chorus soprano solo and orchestra. This psalm
was introduced in tine festival scheme tas Mr. Bucks
work had Deen) and MT G.lhrst at once lifted out
OF tho comparative Obscurlty IN which he had hitherto
lived M Glchrt had for several years been the con
ductor Of two singing societies. and plan was
formed to perform work here. out Of this grew the
project To give festival modelled somewhat the Gin
cnnat plan. Some Of Phiadeipha's business men gave
Il encouragement by guaranteeing fund amounting to
$4,000 The festival was given last year, and though
the receipts fell far short OF the expenditures, the ex
pertinent was voted a success and arrangements were
Immediately begun TO pcTpetuae the festivals This, In
brief Is the genesis tine Philadelphia Festivals.
THE OUTLOOK FOR THE FESTIVAL.
The managers do not pect the present fesh
val financial success. In tho engagement OF solo
performers and tho work OF preparation they
have assumed liabilities aggregating $4,000. and
only the most saagune any idea that this sum will
10 realized from the sale of tickets. But there guar
antee fund amounting to $4,000 than double the
highest estimate expenses that concern is felt
touching of the enterprise and the managers
have spent money freely IN providing attractions.
chorus Of $50 voices has been trained 100 Instrumental
lists have been brought together In the orchestra many
OF them from NewYork) and among the solo performers
are Nine Cerster, Nine. Trebelli Mmo. FurschMadi,
| Charles r. Adams of Boston. Max Heinrich, OF Now
York. Nine. HopekrS, Rafael Josefy and Divide MusiD.
Tie directors Mr.. GIchrist and Charles NJ schmz,
both OF whom have testified their interest in the under
| taking by subscribing to the guarantee fund.
The concert of this evening not looked upon par
cuarly attractive and the attendance nearly
large is expected tomorrow evening wien Ella"
e 10 ere M@s Trebe Mr. HenTch and some local sing
ers The programme this evening was as follows
centennial n'd9lh horn, and orchostrrsa, '' f-,-'
| overture Ruy Bias o. --....---' MendeIssohh'
Grand Aria" rensa ALA para" (itailani In Alssri
Recitative and 4 Ara, 9aa cangamento regna p
nav Mmc EteiEa aeIsior. ~,
|
Mt Charles 4 Kno 9n ora Mo Max Heinrich
Aria" charmant Oiseau Ipere dc Brts ,,,.n ov,,
Nine Etelsa Gerster. u,,..
Cantata-"A song, OF Victor, HiA'f
| Chorus and Orchestra
| ADDITIONAL ACCOMPLISHMENTS TO BACH.
In this scheme Mr.. Gilchrist asared the author Of
new version OF the accomplishments to the
! Bach cantata Tho work Is OF the
| best of the five cantatas not identified With
! any OF the hyeoycles Of Ktrchencaniaen which Bach
left az monument OF his industry while Cantor OF the
| Thomas schoo! in Lepso It is thnly scored for In
strument In fact the only accomplishments left by Bach
written for flutes yios di gambia aud BASES, and
the canata for flutes, calnets bassoons Vios d gambia
vOlOuccO and baes, leaving the organ part unWTitten
Thinking these additions sufficient for festival per
Torrance Mr. lchrst took the work IN hand 40 tnho
He substituted yolas for the yOls al gambia added paris
for the vons and ewrote the organ part for horns and
IL was difficult to Judge the absolute musical value Of
Mr. GohTst work from the fact that the PLAYING or the
Festival orchestra crude III tone that perhaps Mr.
GiichTist himself does not know whether bis Intentions
we're i Lesdee bad beon made Of the cbarao'
| terstic tOne-color, which must have been Bachs
The performance OF the WORK appeared however 70 re-
veal both the eXcelences and the shortcomings OF the
II is deserving OF praise for the heartness OF It's
singing ana the perecOn OF ohiace attained III us com
position All the voices have fine representation and the
steadne9s with which threatening difficulties were met
and overcome gave evidence OF long suuy' UhiOrtu-
natey the OF the dr-masters seems 10 have boon
expended III decueNi{ ohe-s!ued HihiiaeI IMPRESSION
has been sadly neglected ana most or inc Chouoes IN the
Bach cantaa and he stirring hymn OF Killers were sung
without me skhtest Gyldnlo shaoIhg lus toDoeu Tue
Bach piece OF that lovely tenderness WHch IS ono OF s
| characteristic features.
| shed on the solo singers who deserved much
less than they got. Nine Gerster was not n good voice
and in the show air nom the Magic Flute" which she
substituted for afr rom I'll seyagio" because OF the
arrival Of the orchestral parts, her mtouation was
her singing being hard and cooress The men lad very
! little 10 90.