Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-05-17
AN EVENING OF HARMONY.
A Good Programme Of Fine Music superbly
Rendered-The Closing Concert By the
Mozart Club and Boston Symphony Or

A Good Programme of Fine Music superbIy
Rendered-The Closing Concert BY the
Mozart Club and Boston Symphony Orr
chestrn.
The second of the Mozart Club and Boston
Symphony Orchestra concerts drew to Old City
Hall last night another large audience, repre-
sentative of Pittsburg's most cultured and
fashionable circles. As if satisfied with the
triumphs of the first evening the home club
gave this occasion entirely into the hands of
Mr.. Wilhelm Gericke and his superb orchestra.
Mr.. and Mrs. Georg Henschel, who are with
the orchestra throughout the present tour, and
Mr. G. NJ. Loef1er, the second in rank among
the peerless body of violinists, were the SOLO
lists that aided In the production of the follow
ing programme:
overture1 Beneyento Celini, - Op. g.. Berlioz
scherzo from "Midsummer-night's Dream''
Scotch Fantasie, for viointtwo BTuch
Variations, from the Rustic Wedding''
wotaRss Farewell and Fire Charm, rom
''Die Walkneren. Wagner
Scherzo Capriccioso op. 66....,......,.... .Dvorak
1t was not satisfactory programme from
any other standpoint than as a medium to dis
play the resources and discipline of the orches-
ira. The great predominance of the ultra
modern school gave a continuous succession of
brilliant, bizarre effects that became cloying
and wearisome toward the close The substi-
tuition of some substantial, representative
work of the classical or older romantic school
instead of, say, the Doorak piece would
have raised the artistic standard of
the programme, and would at the same time
have made it, by force of contrast, more effect
i've and enjoyable, even to the less musical por'
ton of the audience Two years ago, on the
previous visit of this orchestra to Pittsburg,
similarly unsatisfactory programme was pre-
sented; the third time, let US hope, will be
better.
So far as concerns the Interpretation of the
selections made, very little but praise can be
spoken. The only shortcomings that call for
mention were in the Wagner Excerpt, which
was not played with the same finish and care
that marked the others; there was general
falling short in this usually so effective score,
that suggested a lack of recent rehearsal
upon it. Nothing of this kind, however, marred
the other selections. Not only were the extra
ordinary technical resources of the band in all
departments made fully apparent but there
were at every point evidences of the most
painstaking discipline, the most careful
attention to details of phrasing and shading.
together with rare intelligence in reading and
true artistic sentiment-all combining to con-
firm the position of the Boston Symphony
Orchestra as the finest in America, and to in
crease the regrets With which the musicians of
the country see Mr.. Gericke lay down his baton
and return to Vienna.
Mrs. Henschers singing of Liszt's beautiful
song (how lovely it is with the composers own
orchestration) renewed her conquest of the pre-
ceding night alike over musician and amateur.
1t was delicious, from every point of view.
1t is to be regretted that Mr. HenschePs in
PRODUCTION to a Pittsburg audience was not
made in the role of EEtjdh-in which he is su-
preme-rather than in the Wotdn lines, which
were both lingually and dramatically in
comprehensive to most of his hearers.
One needs the stage scene, or, at least, men,
ory of II, in order to full appreciation Of this
extract from the "Walknere." Mr.. Henschel
sang with a dramatic intensity and nobility of
style, which made the very best of the situa
tion. What pity we could not have the op-
porturity of hearing these two great artists in
one of their altogether charming vocal recitals.
Mr.. Loeffler considerably deepened the favor
able impression produced by his playing here
two years ago. He seems to have undergone
some artistic development In the meantime; his
style is broader and the whole effect Of his
playing more brilliant and masterful.
All honor to the unselfish and indefatigable
workers of the Mozart Club, who by these two
concerts have more than ever proved their or
ganization to be not only the most enduring
but the most valuable element in our higher
musical life. G. W. s.