New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-04-16

CONRAD AysoRGE's CONCERT.


Mr. Ansorce has a high opinion, evidently, Of tho
musical capacity of the NewNork public. Having
planned concert for the purpose OF introducing MS
first symphonic creation, he seems TO have been oc
tcrmined that the evening should not be gwen up N
frvOllty of any sort. To begin with, he played for
his audience concerto by brahms which has not been
heard here for many years. and probably VIII not 10
heard again for as many more. This is not because
the work 0t was the composers first concerto, IN
% minor is not most noble piece Of music, but
because as whole 1t lacks the elements which gys
pleasure 10 the many, TO the cultivated many
The orchestral introduction, With It's oppres'lvev
sombre colorlng and its Opaque and lnerecnVe
orchctrati0n dcadens interest in the work before ina
solo instrument enters, and it is not until the secona
subject of the first movement, beautiful and i'm.
presivc melody In the chorae style. reached that
the attention is riveted 1t effort toward an exceed
ingly lofty flight and the in which the composer
occasionally uses his pnions is in the highest degree
irabe yet fear that for the present 1t must 10
said that the concerto will have to iolego that meas
u,e If public appreciation which the same composers
second concerto in Bfat has gained. For the clear
ness earncscss and intelligence Of his reading Of tho
concerto Mr. Ansorge entitled 70 the highest praise.
n was plainly labor Of love with him, and It's vdlrc
Wa, enhanced by the Circumstance that the concerto
represents very different tendency in composition
than his own symphony which followed it.
An intimaron already been given I'm this journal
phony. Il is work. the first
orchestral production of the young musician,
and is not only characterized Dramatic BIZ the
author but also has descriptive title, "orpheus''
In its presence the word symphony must be under.
stood differently than IN the presence Of the Oh WogNS
in the symphonic form. Il might perhaps. be moro
correctly described a symphonic poem IN three
parts Very wisely think. Mr.. Ansorse has not
buriened his work with catalogue Of IL supposed
poctcal contents True in The Tribune Of last sun
day he suggested line OF thought when mrN ue
accepted as a programme but the usefulness OF Ui'
scheme was exhausted when IL had suggested frame
If mind in which the music might be listened 20 ~
TIN, respect Nr. AnsOr-e's music oc!oi-'
lin intent at leasO u the better Gas, u
30 called programme music7 l. was not harmed ~
the commentary but neither was ii Dependent "n DO.
What Nr. An,oicc has composed IS q MOOD picture ~
large Dimensions. lie has not attempted even i'F
a moment. to describe external ldn-,, oht OILY u
dcnnca,c f,clircs In his first movement he hss
c,,aycd TO give musical expression 10 thc fecin'
Of the Ncroaved Orphcus. 1t S colossal yoalni- .
monumental sorrow. To which lie seeks To- I've ~
ter4nce and enc ROT al all rccoleilaole WIFI no
placid academic conception OF the ancient mn'r'l ,
,tt.rancee But evidently Nj An-or-e. IKE -
master and model. Ii IT, hook, upon his hero merely
a, A rcnr.,cniaiivc Of humanity and is nor c"O'F'
fa-.ed Is ,he -ha, scs OF conventional tAoislt, ~
a in., ,... tiiuahi. matter TINT IN li' 80 l ipr !.
mont he !, sun ia the emotional province chosen u ms
fi.t movement and that, in consequence II AZ az, ,,
and 49, . t..nr ,f ~, choice Il Li.k's illdisoni'i
manner nj, music bc,one, uonotpn"us IN te,i, :.
.,.,i H.. rho f,.t ,iovem.ni 10 not save him. ma
NIX Nj. cner.cfc last movement Is eiet atieA'
non Is r mn. Is 5xceedin-ly interesting from
.,l u,,- a. view. especially a, rr>t p.o''.' ~
III lnV ,, 'o'nno'it"u That tie fact WAS en-
forced 40 The time. ont more paru'h"iN III , ~,
mny.'ncHt that while the hand was me mana %, , -
Nr, tc voice W.T., the voice Of List, ID not ~ "a, -
,b. d,,,,edit of the Youthful composer We I'm. - ~