New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-12-03
MIR. SEIDDS SECOND CONCERT.

The new composition with which Mr. sedl opened
his second concert In Steinway Hall last Saturday
evening lad the effect OF dsposng to the belief
that in the opinion Of admired operate conductor
there is essential merit In strdent brass and harsh
harmonies. On no other theory can We account for
the choice OF Mr. Vincent d. lndys wallensctn' for
performance in the brief series OF concerts which Mr.
Seidl has projected. The composer We believe, be-
longs the younger generation of French musicians
and admres Wagner with that impetuosity which is
Characteristic OF his In HIS music he has sought
TO pay the great German musician the sncerest
form attery, but the result that likely
10 command the attention or praise Of the judci0us
That he has equipment Of daring and reckessness
which would be found ample for genius OF the first
magnitude there can be no doubt but his exhibition
Of this qualification does not excuse the poverty In
ideas and musicianly treatment which this compost
ton discloses work Of symphonic proportions
eugh, TO have melodies worthy of symphony; they
should be significant plastic and nnately dgni1ed
Bizarre combinations in Instrumentation and startling
harmonic sequences will never make good the absence
of themes which in themselves interesting Nor
can frequent reiteauon OF phrases by various solo IN
strunents. even though made I'm manner indicative
Of subtle knowledge OF orchestral color, be made 30
take the place Of that species of Development which
enrches the musical fabric, lends IL interest pictures
a development OF the emotional contents of the COM
position ouickens the ina ginaton and satisfies
the Intellectual longing for logical procedure These
fundamental qualities of good music are looked for in
vain in the three symphonic movements which
NJ d, Indy would believe are based respec-
lively upon the three dramas that compose schler's
tilocy OF Walenstein.n The middle movement, de-
voted 10 the love and trials Of Theka and Max Plcco
lomini is unquestionably the most praiseworthy OF
the three and once twice rises TO genuinely pas
sionate expression.
The other orchestral pieces IN the scheme were a
serenade in FIVE movements by Victor Herbert and
the overture TO Peter Corneliuss opera, The Barber
Of Bagdads in the Instrumentation of which Lszt had
hand-an original composition, full OF character, ana
.ometimes beautiful Mr. Herbert's screnade was
written for strings, and the performance was con-
ducted bv him. II won him the heartiest applause
NJ the evening interesting for its melodies some
Of which have familiar faces than for the manner in
which they are handled the sercnade Is nevertheless
a composition which deserves 10 be played again inc
vivid and varied dashes Of color which Mr. Herbert
tbrev into the score that be had only
the ave strnced instruments Of the orchestra at his
command were most effective. One movement, the
hind we should Ike taken out OF the SET by
Nr Herbert and rewritten for full band. IT Is de-
nominated Love Scene" and in 1t MI Herbert oe-
velons an intensity of feeling which, though eio-
ouently expressed by the voices OF the quintet ue
serves a larger and more telling apparatus.
Miss Hedwic Rel and Herr Joseph Beck, OF the
German opera Company sang at the concert. Con-
corning the former silence is kindness unless well
meant admonlton should lead her study the proper
No of bcr generous vocal endowment Herr Beck,
whose fire singing in Lohengrn" justified the ex-
pectston Of better things. sang with monotonous dry
nes sacrificing every bit of sentiment to his desire 70
have every syllable understood. His habit of making
rhetorical pause whenever the sense OF the text calls
~ n aud even offcner. Is also tlrcsome He was
prol ably NOT responsible for the UNIV sdOh OF choDs :
Wolfram openig- address IN lae mnslIes ooal'so -
Vagncr's Taunhaeusci" for performance IN concert