New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-11-16
MUSIC-THE DRAMA.
CONCERT OF THE oRAroRro SOCIETY

MUS1C-IHE DRAMA.
CONCERT OF THE ORATORTO SOCIETY.
Not only the oratono Society and its director but
also tie audience that gathered to hear IT, arc to Be-
congratulated tho which ATTENDED tho pr
foFmance Of Mendelssohn's Eljahs at the Metropol
tan Opera House last night. 1t was the sixth tims
that the society sang the work public concert but
the first time under its present conductor, Walter J.
Damrosch. The task which It presents Is not .
difficult one in respect, and that the choir should
have done full justice to most Of the choral numbers
Is not TO be wondered at undcr the circumstances
The marked shortcomings were in the dramatic
choruscs like I" The fro descends from heav'n,' tho
simpler and broader effects being all produced IN Q
style which gave obvious pleasure tho fine audience
present
Tho society begins its sixteenth promisingiy
Some Of the deficiencies Of last 10 have
been repaired 10 considerable degree, though tho
tenor voice is stu wanting in volume. This, ~
everybody ought to know is a National weakness and
the remedy is particularly elusive in a metropolitan
community like Whether q makeshift like that
resored to by Mr.. Damrosch In tho first chorus, and
once or twice aftcrward namely, to let some OF the
tTalto choir sing with tho tenors, Is TO DO COM
mended k doubtful however. The change IN colov
forces itself upon the attention OF close listeners and
unless the device is carried through the performance
the decrease in volume of sound when the women
nothing In the manner In which tho work Was read
to call for comment except perhaps tho one thing
which, we regret to say, 10 becoming moro and
moro noticeable, not only In choral performances
but also In some Of orchestral We refer 70
that species Of sensauonalism which ignores I'll
middle tints and aims at securing tho applause Of
tho groundlings by exaggerating every forte into .
fortssimo and every piano into pIanissmo. This
tendency In music Ia analogous TO the frcsoo sign
painters art and lets the good red blood out Of many
a healthy piece Of music Amateurs who remember
how the chorales In Bach's " st. Matthew Passion
were enervated by this sentimental phlebotomy last
will appreciate the forco Of objection to
this style Of reading music, which lives in the respect
and admiration Of musicians largely because Of 10
emotional sanity.
The solo pats last night wcrc In most capable
hands. A finer representative Of the prophet him.
self than Herr Emil Fischer New-York has not heard
since "Eah" added to tho Ora
torio Soccty's repertory twelve years ago.
His conception Of tho dramatic essence
of the part In the highest degree commendablo As
a rule baritone singers afflicted with desire 10
scntimentaize the part to indulge In an excess Of
pathos or to overaccentuate its dramatic spirit Tho
cew to the proper conception was given by Mendels
sohn himself in the letter which he wrote to Pastor
schubrng tho compiler Of the text Of tho oratoro).
His words ought to be taken TO heart by every singer
who wishes to sing this truly noble music 81 figured
Elijah myself" Mendelssohn writes as q thorough
prophet; such an one wo might need in own
day-strong and jealous and stern wrathful and
goomy-a contrast to the court myrmidons and p0pu'
lar rabbo, In opposition almost to tho whole world,
and yet borne as on angels wfngG'
Herr Fischer exemplined this conception admirably,
and the delicious quality Of his voice, tho sincerity Of
his feeling and tho reposefuncss of his style were
like BENSON which all but efiacod the disappotnt
ment caused BY the struggles which his rebellious
German tongue compelled him to mako with few
letters and compounds peculiar 10 the vernacular
In this respect but also in the excellence of tho
musical performance, he had q worthy companion in
Madame FurschMadi, who is thrice welcome back to
our concert-rooms II positive delight to hear
her voice. and her dramatically vttased STYLE in tho
scene between tho widow and tho prophet well
as tho splendid air Hear TO- Israel with Va mag
nifoently sweeping major portion: al an He that
comforteth" What he lacked in power, Mr. Toedt
the tenor Of the evening. msde up
In the refinement Of his defamation
and his euphonious and tender delivery Of tho text
which fell to his lot and the tastefulness and smooth
ness of his phrasing OF Miss Wlnant, who long ago
won Judgment In the admiration Of our amsteufs,
falling into habits Of defamation and tone onuncia-
ton which detract great deal from the pleasure
afforded by her lovely voice The other solo parts
were in the hands OF Miss Anna l. Kelly Miss Anoe
J: MacPheron, Oscar Sanger, Ericsson Bushnell and
Master II. Fred Schmitt. The latter il . member
sang the mhslc of the youths part. a 10 tho custom
in England