Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1888-04-28
THEODORE THOMAS.
HIS CONCERT AT MOZART ACADEMY
LAST MIGHT.
The Great Leader Greeted by a Brilliant
Audience - Notes on the Per.
formance.

1heodore Thomas with his celebrated
orchestra OF sixty trained musicians and
some wen-known soloists began an en-
gagement for two nights and matinee
at the Academy of Music last evening
The audience on the first occasion was
brilliant, though the Academy was, We
regret to say, by no means crowded.
Mr.. Thomas has appeared here before
on two occasions, and his artistic work as
q conscientious lover of music and able
conductor has been thoroughly appreci-
ated by the general public and critical
musicians alike.
His performance last evening was
finished to the last degree. In the most
scrutnizing and hypercritical there was
nothing IN which flaw could he picked.
The programme had been carefully Sc
lected from the works Of celebrated com
posers, and whilst finished in every re-
spect was rather trying TO an average
audience by reason Of its heavy charac-
ter. Indeed, we would say that while
faithful 70 the line OF teaching he had
conscientiously mapped out Mr..
Thomas has made a dangerous ex-
pertinent in giving a programme such
as that of last evening on a tour
through what might be termed proyin-
cial towns. Three heavy numbers
by the apostle of the music of
the future introduced the evening.
and these numbers were followed by
studies of Beethoven, Tschaskowsky,
Irinrv Gafrk Coorc ovI Pvioonak,,, W.
doubt both the success and judgment
in such venture for pleasurab!e in-
struchon to the public. In the higher
culture Of music before an audience
thoroughly educated and appreciatlve
such a programme could leave little TO
he desired, but two hours and a half OF
the strain on n general audience must
have proved tiresome to many.
We take it that in music, as in. the
drama, the tension incident to tragedy
should be relieved by semblance Of
comedy. Mr.. Thomas's orchestra
eyinces a training in which the mas
ter hand is always present. They
play with marvellous precision and skill
Ihe great director seems to impart
an individuality peculiar TO himself. He
has of late years eliminated everything
pertaining to noise and clsng until now
he hes reduced his musical conception
to the pi1niSsiDlO effects. In works
where an ordinary orchestra of twelve or
fifteen musicians would "tear a passion
to tatters, as il were. his force of sixty
men are musicallv aesthetic.
To our mind his Interpretation of the
Idyl, from Wagners Siegfried, was by
far the most beautifully artistic perform
8nce OF the evening. IT was study in
which the lights and shadows Of musical
metaphor were charmingly portrayed.
The poem Of the author was given forth
as in word painting. The instruments
seemed to speak, and as the last tone
died away in the melodious cadence the
story of Sieefried was complete.
The renowned soprano Miss Emma
Juch sang two numbers most charming
". and her cbaste and beautiful yocah-
zation received a perfect ovation. Upon
her rendering of LISTS LOreley" the
audience demanded again and again a
recall, but the great soprano only re-
sponded each time with a bow Ihs,
We take it, Is but n just rebuse to the
custom 50 prevalent with our people
for demanding cacOrcS. 1t is high
time this want Of taste probably
born Of n generous and cxuberaut
southern spirit should be frowned
down. 1t should be remembered that
concert programme is selected both in
respect to variety and time for It's exc
cutiou, and that in demanding Olcor'S
the few often trench upon the rights of
the many, and make unreasonable de
mands upon the artists Upon Der beau
tiful rendering o. ScEube.ts "Gretchen
am Spiurad, Miss Juch gracefully re-
spOnded to an enthusiastic CHcoro 10y sing
ing most pla;ntiye and effective little
ballad, with harp accompaniment.
The duet Iarantelle by SaeDs Jaens,
for flute and clarinet, was rendered in
the most finished manner by Messieus
Oesterle and Schrems, while the violin
obligato by Mr. Max. Bendix was an eX-
Qusite performance on the king Of i'll
straments.
The concert, in all respects, furnished
an evening OF rare enjoyment, and Rich
mond music-loyers should not fail OF
ayailing themselves of the occasions Of
fered at the matinee this afternoon and
the performance Onight to enjoy the
great Thomas OrchCstra.