Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-05-02
DOUBLY A SUCCESS.
The Second Boston symphony 0rches'
ira Concert Last Evening,
ASSISTED By THE MOZART CLUB.
SOCIETY CHATTER OF A SPRING FRIDAY

Our Mozart Club marked the close of its
thirteenth season with a choral performance
that has never been equalled in this COM
munity and, indeed, could not have been
much better done by any similar chorus in
existence These be strong words, but
carefully weighed withal; they are put in
the forefront of this review, as conveying
the most significant achievement of last
evenings concert at Old City Hall by the
Mozart Club with the Boston Symphony
Orchestra.
Before the choral work forming the bulk
of the programme, however, were prefaced
two instrumental numbers that call for
prior attention. The first was Liszt's SYM
phonic Poem, (Aaslice) ''Tasso; his La
mentation and Triumph" This, the second
Of that brilliant series of u works for which
List coined the name of Poeme Synapho
nique, and in which he embodied his ad-
vanced ideas upon programme music, is de-
signed to depict the woes endured so long
by the noble italian poet, and also the long
deferred but complete triumph that he finally
gained over his prosecutors. Though the
"Tasso" has not heretofore, it is believed,
been heard in Pittsburg, the general mode
of treatment and the opulence of orchestral
effect bestowed upon it may readily be inferred
from other of its companion pieees-nota6ly
from the third, Lies Preludes," given here by
the Boston players last year.
All Their Energies on the Work.
Mr. Nikisch and his superb orchestra bent
their best energies to the performance of the
work. The band does not seem to have suffered
any such technical deterioration as some of the
most ardent admirers of Mr.. Gericke-prince
Of drill-masters-seemedto to apprehend when his
careful hand was removed. The string quartet
still remains unrivalled, the wood-wird is de-
liciously smooth and characteristic and the
brasses more richly sonorous, yet prudentiy
handled, than ever. Space does not permit de-
tailed review of the playing; suffice It to say
that Mr.. Nikiscb's readings aud their realtza-
ton by the players were a. once ntelngent,
warm and forceful to a rare degree. Liszrs
work can claim no right to a better interpreIa-
tion than it had last night.
Two pieces for violin, with pianoforee accom-
panIment. brought te the front MIR. Franz
knesel. the ConcertnGeiSter of the orchestra.
The beautiful Romance" by Svendsen, Is a
more extended work than usually goes by that
name; it might better be called "ballade" or
q legend" following well-known prece-
dents. 1t is altogether charming music.
redolent of Northern climes, but without GER
tain less desirable peculiarities OF the ultra
modern scandInavians. Mr kneisel displayed
delicious tone; not large, but sympathetic and
penetrating. his style is most refined,
and there are abundant warmth and feeling
in his playing. However, even his most
passionate moments are serious it seems: and
IN his Interpretation of one of Szrasate's famil-
lar Spanish Dances, despite the luscious tender
ness of the cGntfLeT7e and the arch grace of the
more capricious passages. there was lacking
certain dash. the sclntillant humor peculiar to
the Spanish virtuoso-composer.
The Triumph in the Requiem.
VerdTs great Manzoni Requiem filled the re-
mainder of the evening. Of its origin and
characteristics enough has been recently said
in this journal to obyiate the need of such COM
ment this morning. 1t formed last even.
ing the medium of a genuine triumph
for Pittsburg's much -prized permanent chorus.
With full remembrance of past successes
particularly the Elijah" of 1889 and the two
last Messiah" performances-this evenings
work must be soberly adjudged, tax
best of the entire I3 years. There
were perfect attack, rare purity
Of intonation. great clearness of phrasing
and all the other points OF choral vlrtuosity
upon as high plane as has yet been touched. |
There were, Also at least much spirit, earn |
estness and intelligence in realizing to the |
before. And there was, besides, a refinement |
In shading, delicacy of 7ludnce, delightful |
ptdnGSStTlO. such as this chorus has never vet |
equaled. II is great pleasure to see this de-
partment of dynamic effect brought by Con-
ducsor McCollum up to the same high level
that characterizes all the rest of the clubs |
singing 1t were impossible, even did space
permit TO enumerate in detail the portions of
Nerdiis dramatic work in which these several |
qualities were most apparent.
Among the soloists. the chief credit, perhaps, /
belongs to Mrs. s. {. Ford, of Cleveland who /
was at the very last moment summoned to take |
Mrs. Bishops place, vacated by sudden illness. |
Fer rich voice and fervld style earned the |
hearty applause they received. Miss Lena
Little, the mezzo-Soprano. displayed a good /
voice, except in the lower register, and sang
with taste and feeling. MIR. Panl Zimmerman, /
Pittsburg's veteran tenor, has not been in bet
ter voice for some time, and sang with all his |
old-time tlnesse and skill. Dr. Carl Martins |
noble bass and dignited manner of singing 1
were effective in the extreme. Too much |
credit cannot be given to Conductor McCollum |
for his all-important share in this exceedingly /
successful concert.