Morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven [Conn.]) 1848-1894, 1890-01-09
THE SYMPHONY onOnssrxA.

rho First Appearance OF Herr Nikisch |
In New York Cisy-The Metropolitan |
Newspapers Praise Hln Highiy-A |
Brilliant YOUNG Conductor. !
The second concert by the Boston Sym
phony orchestra will be given at theHypsrion
rheater next Monday evening. At the last
concert the principal feature was the FIRST
appearance of Herr Nikisch and the real ex-
csllence of the concert was for the time over
looked in the general admiration of the new
conductor. Since the concert Herr Nikisch
had made his debut before, metropolitan
audience and all the newspapers of New
York city, with one or two exceptions, have
accorded him the highest praise. 81
The Tribune published the following:
"Undsr Mr.. Nikisch's direction it msy safe
ly be said that the technical finish of the Or
chestra's playing is not brought 90 constantly
and impressively to the attention of the list
eners as formerly, but in Its place We have
something infinitely better-a robust tone
and a vitality of proclamation which sacrifc-
co nothing Of the composers intended elo-
quence to the love Of placidity and undis-
turbed euphony. Mr.. Nikisch evidently be-
lieves 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 q sonorous forte he
brings II out. Fortunately he is gifted
with beautiful sense of symmetry and bali
ance Of tone, and never permits the ont
In his development Of climaxes he proceeds
with the most refined care, and with de-
liberation which is rare among men who
cherish theories like his concerning the
privilege of conductors in reading the works
Of composers. He never precipitates cli-
max by anticipation, but builds 1t up
steadily and strongly, and when the su-
preme moment lie at hand, strikes like
thunderbolt."
The Herald contained the following char
acteristic criticism: "Herr Nikisch is
young and handsome fellow who takes his
task with extreme seriousness. In manner
he resembles Bulow % . conductor. He 10
not content with beating time; he literally
leads his orchestra. He is the master musi-
clan, playing upon vast instrument made
up Of many players. This. of course, is the
highest function of the ideal leader. Herr
Nikisch has nothing Of the metronome In
him. His mood changes With every bar of
the music. 1t will naturally be asked. How
does the Boston orchestra's work under Herr
Nikisch compare with its work under
his predecessor, Herr Gerickea The differ
ence was felt In the first dozen bars Of the
"Euryanthe" overture, and steadily accented
during the evening" The famous band, which
Boston owes to the generosity of Mr.. Higgin-
son, is not SO wonderful an Instrument as it
was, but 1t is handled with greater freedom.
Whether upon the whole there 10 gain or loss
depends upon taste. To leave comparison
aside, last nights concert was beautiful
one, and was applauded with the heartiness
II deserved. The band played throughout,
notably in the symphony, with splendid vigor
and musical spirit, and at the close of the
Horr Nfkfaoh voNo{vaA rruffo nva
| tion."
The Sun thus commended both the orshes.
| ira and its leader: ''It is no disparsgement
| to our own excellent orchestral organizations
| to say that the annual visits Of the Boston
| Symphony Orchestra are az important In
their line as any entertainments that OCCUR In
this city, not excepting the notable concerts
of the Philharmonic Society. We have no
instrumental body which Is kept at work
throughout the season every week under the
| guidance of one man, and our bands cannot
be expected to achieve those high results
which ara to be reached only through con
slant and rigorous drill. The Tristan Vor
| spiel was read nobly. The announcement Of
the opening motive was pregnant with dra
phrase being most effective. The tire
mendous climax, one of the mightiest utter
ances Of all music, was given with grea
breadth and dignity, and with magnificent
~ expressive balance of the interviewer voic,
| parts. But the conductors finest achieve
ment was In the symphony. It was played
In marvelously fine manner. The perfor.
nance of It showed that Mr.. Nikisch coult
make an orchestra not only sing, but also
deolaim, feature which was equally con
spicuous in the cantabile passage of tn
overture. Under this leader the orchestr,
does not, 1t Is true, achieve such exquisite
polish as it did under Mr.. Gericke, but it re
veals something far better-a grand sweep o
power and . mastery dramatic force. Tha
Mr.. Nikisch was successful last night is be
yond question, aud New York has almos
a. much reason to be thankful for his pres
ence in America a. Boston ought to have"
The Worlds critic evidently does not lik
Herr Nikisoh. The very features which tn
other newspapers praised most the Worl,
most strongly condemned. The following
paragraph closed the criticism: "Ths inter
est Of the evening was of course with tn
new conductor, whose next number was tn
prelude to Wagner's Tristan and Isolde I
work which In very familiar to all concer
audiences. In this 1t must be admitted tina
Mr.. Nikisch did only respectfully. II was
in fact, scarcely Wagner at all. The over
} ture % rendered by the Bostonians ha,
nothing of the thrilling intensity that Seid
with the throbbing woes of two unfortunat
lovers. It had nothing of Wagner's geniu
In 1t. It was too calm, too studied, to
sleepy and without breath of inspiration
! Ssidl and Thomas % Wagner conductorsros
immeasurably under its last INSTRUMENTATION
In the symphony, Schumann,s No. 4 In
minor, however, the Boston leader reached
very high point of artistic excellence.
! this the orchestra played with most vigorou
and artistic feeling In the strength an
powerful sweep of the csdences, 1t would b
: difficult to equal, certainly to surpass, th
: Hne performance. Altogether, In exquisii
poetry of feeling and delicate beauty. partis
ulsrly on the strings, Mr.. Nikisoh does M
touch Mr.. Thomas, and in the sentimentalit
and artiHciality Of his Wagner reading b
. cannot be mentioned In the same breat
i. with Seidl's overwhelming greatness in III
Interpretation Of Tristan"
. Now that Herr Nikisch has been fairly IL
\ troduced to our music lovers, they will
: able to give their undivided attention to Il
excellent programme selected for the ne,
. concert. -