New-York tribune., 1885-03-23
MUSIC---THE DRAMA.
BROOKLYN pHILHARMONrc socrET

The bicentenary of the birth of Handel.
which was extensively celebrated the 2cd Of LA
month In Europe, was permitted to pass In this city with
out being called to mind by single musical organize
ton. Saturday the bicentenary Of the birth Of
Bach Handels greatest contemporary and by the agree
the world musicians to-day the most profound
most deepfeeling most ingenious and indus.
trious composer ever born. The peculas
organization of concert system threatened
this interesting anniversary pass unnoced
The DETECTION Of the major portion OF Dr. Dauroschs
activity from the concertroom to the opera house
during the three months Immediately preceding hIs
death began the disregard far the two organza-
tons which he directed concerned which his death
finished 1t was plain duty of the Oratorio Society to
celebrate the hundredth anniversary Of the birth Of
the creators of the "St Matthew Passion" and
the Messiah" but that organization has
been in such state OF dsorganizatioa
since the death of its director that many Of its members
are ignorant of the plans for the remainder of the
son. We would have welcomed commemorative con.
cert from the Chorus Society the Philharmonic bus
none was arranged.
The only local organization no. utterly Indifferent to
the interesting occasion the Brooklyn Philharmonic
Society whose seventh this season occurred
on Saturday For this concert the following programme
set up:
6oncerto Tor piano dnts ana Violin Bach
Mr. Brandt.
symphony in +, NO b Pastorap -:;;.... beethoven
). Rondo Brilliant op .Mendsissohn
vorspiel to "Die Meistersinger ger5...........wagner
The significance of the two Bach numbers In this
scheme has been indicated. 1t not much Of cole
bration, certainly not such one as the greatest
musician that ever lived deserved but welcome az
the only celebration held in the vicinity of NewYork
We cannot but feel that in this respect musical
organizations have been lax in duty 1t not necessary
to discuss the sentimental side of the question
the fact that knowledge and appreciation the music
of Bach, at present confined almost wholly to profess
in the development OF appreciation for the master
pieces OF to-day, and that next to nothing Is done to
extend such knowledge and appreciation in ordinary
concert The spirit which the recogn-
enough Had the celebration been fitting scale it
would have exhibited Bach n his grandest stature and
in than department Of his creative activity
The orchestral suite In major Is reas0na-
unqualiaedly pleasing to the popular taste,
OF the masters compositions that have been kept on tho
active list by concert fvers 1t was not played en-
tire this OCCASION but the overture air and two
clearness OF execution that compelled hearty burst Of
applause The concerto which followed much more
rococo and would scarcely have received such close at
tention as it did receive had it been less fauessy
taste OF Mr. Hoffman, united with the unaing accuracy
OF his technique and the proficiency OF his compa-
trios, yielded the best OF results, and the qualns
inspire. Mr.. Hoffman supplemented his good work IN
the with brilliant performances OF the English
trihe-Mendelssohn and water-and the rondo. on o
recall he added the second OF Schuberts 4" Moments
Musicals" Op. 9D. OF the performances OF the Pas.
toral symphony" and the " "Meistersinger" Porsptd
it Is not necessary to speak.