New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1885-04-01
MUSIC.
A CONCERT OF AMERICAN MUSIC,

| COMPOSITIONS ri native born Americana varo par
iormoo. IL was not surprising that there W.
apparent 2 strons disposition on the part Of many
OF tn"se VINO give direction to comment On mud.
cal subjects to regard suoh concert I'm thu Ioht n
an experiment nom which scarcely anything else than
momenary gradcationof curiosity was to bo expeoted
But 1t was equally evident that Mr. Van der etucko.
the protector and conductor Of the concert took dss
ent view Of the matts for the result attained sava
proof that be considered 1.-THE music quito "a d.
serving Oh careful study and preparation as tho most
bilious Of his earlier schemes.
In this view we inclined to agree with tho capable
ana energetic young conductor The logical outcome %
tne concerts which he began this land which We
are to hear to be carried on next season. will b
10 stimulate creative work among young musciane IL
the United States No matter what may be ones con-
vctions on the prospect OF National school of music
with Enthusiastically American flavor such result
ought to be looked forward to with pleasure The history
OF instrumental music for tho last half-century 10 The
history OF an art which has drawn inspirations from
National traits. In turn the Scandinavian Hungarans
Poles and Russians have sent currents Of new FEELING
through the body Of what is popularity termed classical
musie and stimulated 1t to activity Influences
Of this nature the food upon which artistic progress
feeds and they must be contributed BY artists with
whom they natural expressions In every instance
the impress has been forced the by an individual
whose works. In turn have become the medium nspr-
alton for his compatriots. In this the so-caed
|
spirit has been awakened which has contributed IL
quota TO the advancement Of the Peoples In art
The Scandinavian movement roots in Gade, Grieg and
Svendsen the Hungarian entered early but too tmdy
In Haydn and Schubert and did not attain vigor untH
List vvifed it, the Polish bloss0med in Chopin the
Russian in Rubirste but especially In Tschss
/ kowsky; the Bohemian has its pioneer In Dv0rak
Through the influence of these their countrymen
secured hearing Even In the OF peoples who have
not given characteristic c0lors to the German art the
process has been the Behot In Belgium, Saint
saens, Delibes Massenet and GODDARD In France have
compelled attention from the world by dnt OF asserting
their claims upon recognition first upon their own coun-
| trymen. One know whether an artist has
something worthy to say except he be given chance to
say It, The musical composer unfortunate In that his
requires mediator between himself and the public
all interpreter large forms this interpreter is
pensye, and as music only be enjoyed in the per-
Torrance and the learner only acquire perfection
from hearing the incentives to original creation
reduced to minimum here, where tho concert sys-
TEN has hitherto practically kept its doors closed to
native composers. Because Mr.. Van der stuckens en-
terprisc looks abolition of this state or Affairs we
have welcomed and bespoken for 1t the hearty good
will support OF all with whom music Is not merely an
ahectation. No project that is before our people
offers fair prospect for the advancement OF music In
the United States as this.
These predatory remarks are made because thcyaro
called by the OCCASION basis for extenuaton
IN criticism We risk nothing In saying that last nights
concert exacted change In the standard Of criticism
from that applied to novelties from foreign composers
That Americans have vgo freshness, originality high
ideals and learning obvous to all who cared ID
listen That compositions differed in merit and that
some pieces better than tue bulk OF tho So
called oryansts music Of England and "Capelmester
Musk OF Germany also be taken for granted But
the whole the concert which Justified feel
ing OF pride in the OF men who have had to
labor despair they could not with tho
masters OF Europe The programme was as follows:
Prelude to sophocles's " Gdipus Tyrannus" o. 30
Concerto for pianorOrts. A minor. oP.l55 v,,nw.u
Second and third moysmsnts
Miss Adele Marguies -, No.,
SCENE AMI Air ones told in slss" from The
raie Oh the ''Af Mi.s Marie Van. - ".''.N
ss, ~Xl rso,.os sos Ssa
Legend for violin and orchestra o gis lOI
sy~pn0n'' f0'm 0HD'H'' "a a. 4 TemplotOn strong
The work which marked the highest flight of endeavos
OF any In this list the symphonic poem OF Mr..
strongs It's subject. Its scope its workmanship and
tie exposition which gave OF the inclination that the
unqrestioned talents OF youthful American have re-
ceived through tho operation Of German Influences all
combined to mark this composition as one entitled TO
closer examination than works usually receive in
hastily reviews Its composer Is son
of Templeton Strong lawyer OF this city, who during
the latter part life closely identified with the
interests Trinity corporation The young man Is now
living epso and is completely under the influence Ok
the modern school OF music This is evident from the
composition which considering which reflects tho
spirit OF Lisz and Wagner marked degree. The st.
tenton is arrested the beauty OF the sb
iect chosen which had charmed other before him.
seventy years a. o. l.. I. A Hoffman. the romanticis.
composed opera on the subject OF Undine Tor the
ace OF De Ia Note FOuque,-tLo author or the larry ale
winch made a place for the nynrh IN every Ger
mans heart. Hoffman was clever musician and us
cerning critic as well as charming oryteler, aud we
eau fancy that his music mas mol without peahty but tno
tem's castle Lortzlng next took up the subject and
scornng all OF poet or librest wrote his oSn no9k
and set music Ths opera still enjoys popularity In
the smaller German towns Whyther "Undine was
before used symphonic subject We 90 NOT Know
sJylo In "a general way Mr Strong has followed III the
footsteps OF Lszt who by the way has written across
tue page the score acceptance Oi tue deca0n
OF tho In which he ohsracteiizes IL As ausge-
zeicnuet ~ He has DESIGNATED inc ersonages 81 we
work by theniatlc treatment OF these neioaes.
rlpphnS figure IN lSnr eoiy Of Unsettled
tonaiity wavering between MAJOR ana uiiior la common
time. which appears nrst IN the wool winds, y pines
Urdine; rytniesca vigorous phrase in The score OF
the nOfns stands for ST HuidoFuhd; BerfHfaa ia,
born the sprit asserts himse In phrase which
chlcy ytEmict but WHOM snrges upward aua Strives
to throw thugs above 1t ia coUinOt0n plainly that
can down AN excellent bit oil musical characer-
lzatlon. Real originality IN Invention Is manifest oniy ~
the URdiac phrase whca Is al once 0ean u paso and
characteristics. The sugs, son OF Hutd.gs motif ia
Walkure p" Is too marked III ST hadOFdus pdrase
ami tine erfdida nobody while excellent IN providing
contrast anu movement smacks some shat strongly ot
onpace. Vita this material Mr. strong strives 70
present no than fifteen episodes In Fodques dainty
story Here outsst he commits his gr'yest error
Characters emotions, not actions should nave Deem
the subject of deneation. For this there Was wealth
OF material the story. The change IN CndAtes nhtare
from soulless water-spne. boisterousJ inschevoi;s
10 a loving woman oppressed with sweet melancholy
Immediately after her marriage 10 Tue might; wouo
alone have been sufficient motive for musical work
What wealth uf poetry ingenious iedrnin; anu Skin
WAGNER or even Liszt would nave layished OH such Q
tn. fulxN
peaut fully the uetamorpDOss might nave Doei eheeted
by rythmioal and harmonic changes In the theme Tue
love of the Knight his growing attachment 10 the wicked
Berlda the oulburst OF rage which compelled O"dte
20 return 10 her original home, his death tnrodga
Uud,ncs kiss In the midst OF the Wedding esuyitiss-
these are psychological motives that awaited ms