New-York tribune., 1889-12-18
THE BOSTON SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

Those who have heard the Boston symphony
Orchestra in the past and those who have read Of Mr.
Nikisch's successful efforts in troubling the musical
waters in Boston had their expectations raised to
lofty pitch when they went 10 the first OF tho
orchestra's concerts for this in Stenway Hall
last night If any were disappointed they were hard
10 please the concert delightful and stiuia
ing affair." exceedingly mertorous and conducive 10
thought in all its parts, and unique as such concerts
20 in New York. in being of such length as left the
listeners refreshed instead of wearied with
too much enjoyment at the close. Ihere
have been few changes in the band since IL last Vls
tied under the direction of Mr. Gericke but prac-
tically il is unchanged Its superiority to the nest
Of our local organizations in the department OF
strnged instruments is still undisputed, and perhaps
also its inferiorty in the wood wind choir. But these
matters of minor significance in an estimate OF last
nights concert, in which, while the material mani
festaton fully adequate to the spiritual intention.
il the latter that invited TO reflection and that pro
vided the kcenest enjoyment Under Mr. NikischS
direction il may safely be said that the technical
finish Of the orchestra's playing is not brought
so constantly and impressively 10 the
attention of the listeners formerly.
but in its place we have something infinitely better
"a robust tone and a vitality Of proclamation which
sacrifcesnong Of the composers intended eloquence
10 the love Of placidity and undisturbed euphony
Ar. Niksch evidently believes that the breath which
the blowers Of brass breathe into their instruments
should be the breath Of life and when the music
stands in need Of forte he brings it out.
Fortunately he is gifted with beautiful sense Of sym
metry and balance Of tone, and never permits the
Outbursts of sound to obscure the musical idea In
his development Of climaXes he proceeds with the
most refined care, and with deberaton which is
ae among men who cherish theories like
his concerning the privilege of conductors
IN reading the works Of composers. lie
never prcciptaea climax by anticipation Lut builds
1t up steadily and strongly. and when the supreme
moment is at hand, strikes like a thunderbolt.
1t is possible to speak thus Of Mr.. NilIisch while
thinking Of the playing Of his band for the reason that
there was never moment in last nights concert in
which 1t was not obvious that his purposes were
realized insahe performance. Few conductors are 50
fortunate he in this respect 1t is a trte nase,
but one that is expressive that 70 paraplrase
would only weaken it, and we set 1t down that he
plays upon his orchestra upon an instrument Thls
ac'antage accrues 10 him through the organization of
e symphony Orchestra which is kept together solely
LicheAse e purpose Of giving weekly concerts OF ia.
"ishes' Class. Mr.. HiggnsOn's public spirit and
eeneIosiN have done for Boston what Mr.. Thomas
Os ana Vainly striven TO persuade the people
u e" iorA 70 do for their city. Speaking, then, OF
t"e Praying OF the orchestra as If 1t were the mani
ieS'd'oh Oi Mr. Nikisch's Judgment taste and will,
may NC salu that he appeared most admirable in
schumann's d minor symphopv which closed the
concert Inc overture TO Euryanthes which intro
"u0cu INC evening ; pleasures, played in much
more hhisheu SNle' technically, and was given with
marvellous beauty but fancy there were those in
the audience VINO would have been better pleased had
It's Iubilant close which echoes 40 much Of the
chvalric spirit, been given with greater warmth
and animation than was possible within the limitations
Of MIR. Aikiscs moderate tempo. As for tbc prclude
70 Tristan und Isolde while We are accustomed in
New-iOrk TO have the poignancy Of its passion i'm
Dressed upon more favoraby, it may be said that
more thrilling performance than was reached al
nA climax Is scarcely conceivable
Inc one solo performance Of the evening nrn,,idad
Woion surprise and delight Mr.. Knesei plaved
ns-hes violin concerto In ID, Op IL stately
G0. G magnificent. composition worthy 10 lye ularcd
v SIDE Of the cOnCcrtOs Of Beethoven and Nen
tIa C fr the innate nobility Of lis Thought.
snd a. sahea power eyanced m It's deyel0pnent
cd -, freedom from everything meretricOus In idea
pa"si "a '.hHehL With brahms alive 10 produce such
cannot 'c classic forms, the end Of formal musie1
a. oS ssla To have arrived. Mr.. Knesel psNed
nuritv ~ 1lS, my, superbly with much l0veness and.
nrettineSso'ne, 'ne, With sturdy disregard OF all mere
Where so 1 catch penny effects, even IN the cadenza
(under npS ~ are supposed 10 have dispensat1n
IN do ,rbpf t aPOcry phai utterance OF MOzartsi
representec -, ~ Please within the space o. time
KnciscIy 1,r' ~ uc hoh The caden2a Of Nr
snsrdness "a imposition and a testimony TO his
certo ongb, 80 ~, ,oushess a musician. The con-
s vusnt 10 be heard again and often II possible
''"'" '''' 'i'eiHc4sW VINO introduced her