New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-11-16
THE PHILHARMONIC SOCIETY.

The Philharmonic fulfls Its highest mission and per-
forms its first duty under the present constitution OF
our musical affairs when ii conserves the compositions
which the Judgment and experience Of the world have
admitted to tho first rank. 1t acts in secondary ca
pacity when IL seeks to make propaganda for new
composer, unless that composer is an unquestioncd
genius. Its patrons never think OF making the de-
mands for new and varied programmes that the public
arc in the habit Of making IN the case OF other or
ganzatons. They attend its concerts to hear great
music e1sndly performed. They esteem 1T an educa-
ona privilege guard 1t jealously-amost as 1eal
ous,v "A the old patrons of the Gewandhaus concerts In
Iopsc do their privilege The society Is therefore e
eyed Of the necessity OF casting about for novelties.
but also enjoned exercise the greatest care IN e
admission Of new compositions to Its Hsts' woi'
that has been played at Philharmonic concert Is by
virtue of that circumstance looked upon as
bearing the highest stamp of excellence winch
the New World can bestow. Thus much to clear the
decks for sctionto TX the point OF view from winch
hurried but serious, must be pronounced on
the new suite by Moritz Moskowsk with whc at the
metropolitan Opera House last night the society be-
gan its forty ninth season.
Mr.. Moslkowsh is unqucstionably marvelously
talented musician, and his suite Top. 40 has many
beautiful things to commend IT, Indeed had II been
heard under different auspices, we might have been
tempted to indulge In words very like enthusiastic
praise Yet while listening to 1t on Friday afternoon
and again last night the thought would not down
that II such music really stands for the best that the
creative spirit of to-day can produce Rublnsteln Is
right and living In an unproductiVo period
In It's way seemed TO illustrate the truth winch mas
often been spoken Of all arts about the degenerate
tendency of a spirit Of great technical excellence or
yirtuosityr il the word must I've used. Most amaz-
ing indeed are the evidences which this suite brings
forward of the masterful skill Of the composer In the
handling Of all the materials of composition 80 glowing
are Mr. MOszkOwsks instrumental colors that he
might engage and fascinate the attention OF
his hearers with the simple scale dozen times
peated. All the tricks of mechanism are at his fingers
ends But unfortunately for his composition, even
while he is hurrying his hearers onward from one
surprise to another he cannot the end prevent the
thought that though there has been much TO bewildea
and startle and amaze. there has been but modcum
OF beauty In the things which after all fundamental
Pretnesses have the time being usurped the place
of beauty tOnal effects have tried TO parade In the
place Of musical ideas, mechanical skill has mas
qucraAed Is spirituality, and though we may be de-
ccivec for WHILE the truth comes to convict us q:
last Especially is this true when really great music
heard after 1t.
~ There is much that is admirable In Mr. Moszkowski's
second suite. Most obviously he has tried to be
serious most ngeniously he has employed the modern
apparatus to give new interest To old art
form; most amazingly he has given the semblance oil
originality TO themes whose older paternity might
easily be established II they, were permitted tt
present themselves unadorned most successfully does
he lead astray Tor space, but In the end We
recognize that though 1t is admirable 1t is not creative
see the trail of the salon serpent over 1t all. Only
once or twice does he give enduring pleasure and
even this is not Of the highest type. The Intermezzt
Is exceedingly dainty by reason Of its subjectmatte
as well as the ingenuity Of that striking opening com
binaion of bowed staccatO and pxzcato chords, and
there is gentle benson of loneliness In the melodious
Iarchetto; but the concluding mnrch Is all pro
duct of manufacture, and the scheizo while
opening promsingly rs killed by its THO
The striving Of the Prelude lin which Mr.. Mosz
kowsld. not satisfied even with the modern grand
orchestra also employs the organ. though the part
was omitted last night Is sustained In the Fuguc
With its somewhat Bachisn subject there Is also q
"reminiscences of Bach IN the, pfelude), but already
ILL ~ Re the new bottle rather than the old wine
Inch challenges the greater notice We doubt whether
he suite viii frequently be heard at the Philharmonic
CO Mr. Moszkowsds suite vss In t's sssd company