The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-03-14
A NOTABLE ORCHESTRA.
The Remarkable Organization Which Hans
Won BuIow Effected.

Philadelphia Times.
Hans Won Bulow is reported to have resigned
his appointment as Kapellmeister to that emf
nent patron of the arts the Duke OF SaXe-Meln4
ingen, in order to resume his piano concerts Ha
does not leave Meiningen, however, without hav-
ing accomplished ain extraordinary work. Says
Edouard Harslick, the famous Vienna critic:
Through Bulow the Meiningen orchestra has
become q prominent fact, analogous to the Mein-
ingen rheater which, without any great stars,
has created such an extraordinary sensation
everywhere by its wonderful ensemble. In its
precision. down to the smallest detail the Menu
ingen orchestra is unsurpassed we might say un-
eoualed by any orchestra in the world. The
Meinngers will not find many imitators of the.
way in which they play the accompanlments To
Brahms's d minor concerto--more ike greaE
symphony than an OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
conductor, while Buow plays the piano part. A
still more astounding performances that of the
terrible fugue from Beethoven's quartet OPP 133,
faultlessly played by all the strlngs--a wilder
ness of sound, which puts the best quartet play
ers on their mettle. This is virtuoso piece no
doubt, and very enjoyable one too, but band
that can play it fautlessly may challenge the
most powerful opponents.
Where tbs Mefningers not able to compete
with our Philharmonic band is in beauty and
fullness of tone4 in the glowing warmth and tenn
permanent of execution and In the brilliant effect
which numbers give. But we must not forget
that Bulow's orchestra counts only forty eight
members. whilst our Philharmonic has from
instruments may account for the fact that tha
Meinngers are wanting in that intense brilliancy
and warm coloring which distinguish our Phil
harmonic orchestra. Bulows fddlers are first
rate musicians, but they have not got the tre-
mendous 60 of the Viennese; the double BASES
and trombones are capital the obees often harsh
and shrl the carionets and horns good, though
not equal to the Viennese masters or these M
struments good Judge will appreciate all the
more the effects which Bulow manages to make
(by reserve and concent rationl with his compare
lively small orchestra in passages such as the
finale of the G minor symphony and the
'FreischuetZ" overture
Bulow, with his spirit of discovery and expert
ment. has also introduced effective innovations
into his orchestra never thought of by other con-
ductors For instance, the flye-stringed double
BASES which give the low G, while the usual
four-stringed ones only go down to T.; then the
so-called Ritter tenor yiolas,' which, being of
stronger build than tho usual violas, surpass
these in fullness of tone ard so lessen the too
violoncelles; finally, the chromatic drums, which
can be tuned by pedal while playing Another
much discussed innovation of Bulows, which
seems to us of doubtful good, is that ms band
plays standing This is in fact going back TO an
older custom, which may be ascrlbed to-the
small space at former amateur concerts, or TO
the etiauette of the courts. The sitting posture
of the PLAYERS at orchestral concerts was prob
ably first introduced in Vienna; atieast, in LISA,
Dittersdorf fbaud- master to the Bishop of Gross
wardien), in his autobiography, writes: II had
long benches and desks made, and introduced
the Viennese method of playing sitting and ar
ranged the orchestra in such a manner that every
player faced the audience"