New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-11-18
MUSIC---THE DRAMA.
THE PHILHARMONIC soCIETY's CONCERT

THE PHILHARMONIC SOCIETY'S CONCERE
The Philharmonic Society entered upon Its forty
seventh at the Metropolitan Opera House last
night and signazcd the fact by bringing forwaN
two compositions which in concerts
They symphony in fiat, op. 80,
by Carl Goldmark, and a Of symphonic variations,
op 49, by Antonln Dvorak These composers
are, thanks to Mr.. Thomas and the German opera, az
we'll known In NewYork they anywhere out
side Of Vienna, and there has generally been little
delay In giving hearing here TO their productions
in tire larger forms. The symphonic variations were
announced b. the Philharmonic Society last year
tho strength of the publishers composers
promises, but the season came to end before the
music arrived and symphony was played Instead.
In consequence they had their first American per-
formance at the summer concerts Of Mr.. Thomas In
Chicago. Tho symphony played for the first
time believe In Dresden last December; in Aprli
Mr. Cercke Incorporated 1t in one Of the programmes
of the Boston Symphony Society, and last month II
was played by the Crystal Palace band at sydenhap
under the direction of Mr. Manns Mr. Thomas
reserved first NewYork performance for the Phil
harmonic Society.
Notwithstanding the superior dignity which attaches
the title of symphony, Herr Goldmark's work does
not command such interest, well repay a
hearing, as the Bohemian composers variations.
The opening Of the first movement is striking and
puts high the key Of expectation; but before the
movement ends mild feeling of disappointment
interVenes. Nevertheless the whole OF the nrse
allegro is good specimen Of symphonic wrtngf
the form being handled with grace and ease and tho
evidences Of fruitless striving being few. The slow
movement is dlstinctively Inferior, both in thought
and treatment, the commonplace character Of thu
melodc material forcing itself upon the attention.
The Scherzo IS happy In design and idea, though 10
required such skill Mr.. Detz displayed
prevent the trumpet (euphemism for cornet melody
Of the trio, with its Enthusiastically Celtic SPIRIT
from seeming trivial If not vulgar. Tho last move
is uninteresting and important One Of the
strange things about the symphony Is the mixturo
natonalties which It discloses In the third and
fourth movements Scotch peculiartes prevail whila
in tho second there is strong admixture OF that He-
bralsm which familiar with becouse of Hers
Goldmark's opera, The Queen Of sheba." But Colds
mark is only Oriental he has lived long enough
among the Austro Hungaans to assimlate the Magyar
spirit, and a strongly declamatory episode in his An-
dante smacks accordingly of one of LISTS Hungarian
rhapsodies.
AS contrasted with the symphony the symphonic
variations Of Dvorak asserted themselves as tha
creation Of a musician In whom combined I'm an
almost equal degree the capacity originate inter-
esting ideas and present them in a fascinating manner
The theme is not peculiarly striking, but 1t bears tho
mark OF individuality, and after Dvorah
has passed It again and again through the fires
Of HIS Imagination, and each time presented
it in ovelier coors than before. listens fOF its
recurrence in its simple form with intense interest
to find whence came all the bright fancies with which
the composer embelshed IT. There twenty-seven
variations outside Of the finale In which Dvorak gives
an example of his skill in the OF learned FORMS
The variations grow in interest and yalus
and, indeed, the composer has shown
peculiar ingenuity in developing IL that
the climax is reached al the end Especially lovely
Is variation in which the melody Is treated
cradle song the solo voice being that of muted horn,
with exquisitey dainty effects In the flute.
The other music of the evening consisted Of Chicks
overture TO Iphigena in Aus," two songs by echu-
bert with accompaniment Transcribed Tor the orchestra
and "Wotan's Farewell and Magic Fire Scene' by
unnecessary discuss how he acquitted himself OF his
task II was little TO be regretted, however, that
both Of the Songs e. Am Meer' and Der Doppelga
by the exceedingly effective orchestraton OF their
accomplishments.
Thomas warmly greeted when he cams
forward to take his place In front OF the forces that
he has often led TO victory and he has seldom con-
Quoted more successful concert. The band was IN
excellent condition and everything was given with
q bouyant swing that made one more than willing
to take leave of the critical faculty. The only dis
appointment felt In the second Wagnerfan selec
tOn where the magnificent climax which occurs when
Bruennhilde throws herself into WOtan's
robbed of some of its power by the hurried tempo
Obviously Mr.. ThomaS's purpose was TO build up tho
climax but this, we have learned from many
eloquent demonstrations. is accomplished much better
by bringing out its melody broadly than by drivtns
the tempo excitedly.