Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-05-03
THE music WORLD,
A Short Resume of the Important
Events That Ushered in the
Month of Flowers.
THURSDAY EVENINGS CONCERT.
The Singing of Mrs. Nikisch and Other
Interesting Points of the Two.
Performances.


Performances.
TWO LECTURES BT AN ABLE CRITIC,
The Allegheny Association and Budget ofNsws Itsnl
for Lovers Of the Art.
Considerations of time and space preclude
more than an outline review this morning
of the important musical happenings of the
past week.
Among them the most prominent, of
course, were the Mozart Clubs concerts with
the Boston Symphony Orchestra-and they
were great concerts from every artistic point
OF view. That of Thursday evening presented
5he following excellent orchestral programme:
Sehunann. ............. symphony No, l. In B-nat
Allegro motto viyace.
laTZhetto.
Scnerzo.
Allegro animate grazioso.
Mozart. Uanzonetta, and Pages Aria, from
The Marriage of Figaro
Andantino and Scherzo from symphony
No l. in minor ----.---.-.----------------
Symphonic Poem. i:Danse Macabre''
Songs with Piano.
h fjsJe '1.,,.,.,.,.., s.The Goldsmith
Wapner W aidweben rom ..Siegfried"
Wagner. Prelude, ''Die Mesterslnger''
Tc be sure the orchestral classics were con-
spicuousy absent; but who will say that the
more modern romantic have not won posi-
tion that entities them to a whole programme
once in a while? Mr.. Niksch seemed TO have
an especial sympathy with each variety OF
romanticism above represented. The fresh,
Joyous flow of Sohumann's Spring" symphony,
with its strong undercurrent of serious earnest
ness, was Etreated with atfectionate solici-
tude and the utmost attention to
every shade of meaning. The Russians
lovely and freel; developed dnddfltfno was
PLAYED with great warmth and expressiveness,
while the piquant Scherzo, with its obstinate"
plucking of the strings and bizarre Oriental
color-the Tartar under the Russians skin mi
grated from the East-was rare bit of vlrtu-
osity both in conception and in execution.
Saint-Saens' wierd and grotesque meas
ures lacked the swing and. swirl belonging
to it; the tempo was trife slow and the
climax too long repressed. Most Of the time
1t seemed like graveyard elegy instead
OF skeleton orgy. But the W as-
ner .Waldweben" was absolutely delicious
in its breath of the woodland and wonderfully
exciting in its swells of passionate longing.
The "Meitersinger" prelude, also. exhaled a
glowing passion in the lovers motives and the
pompous strains OF the burgher-gulld were de-
lIvered with immense effect. Mr.. Nikisch
conducted from score. unlike last season; but
no GIminution of his care for every entrance
for any nudnce could be noticed.
Mrs. Nikisch just falls short of being an alto
gether admirable singer. Her voice is very
sweet and pure at times; then again the tone
Seems to lose It's quality A trife more of ar
tiStiC poise and repose would improve her style,
though the expressYeness and feeling with
which she invested her selections was all that
could possibly be asked Mr.. NikiSch played
her accomplishments In absolutely delightful
1aShOD-eSneclallN charming
Goldmark, with Its elaborate, ripping figures.
Friday evenings concert was reviewed by the
present writer yesterday morning. Little need
be said now, except to repeat, for the benefit OF
regular readers that the Mozart Clubs superb
singing of Verdrs Requiem was the crowning
achievement of Its l3seasons. The exceptional
smoothness and effectiveness of the
ensemble numbers. which abound III
such variety through the Requiem,
calls for high praise. The audiences on
each evening numbered 1000 to 800 of the
representative people; they were most appreci-
ative both in their applause and, more signif-
cantly, in the close attention with which each
programme was followed to the very end.
"a
The Lectures of Mr. Krehbiel
Although Mr.. Krehbiers lectures before Art
Society last Monday and Tuesday were private
affairs, and not properly open to serious public
review. and. although the present writer was
not able to be present at the lecture in Old City
Hall on Wednesday evening, these important
events cannot be permitted to pass without
some notice
As his writings so clearly show, MIR. Krehbiel
is The master OF his subject-uatteT in all its
phases, considered historically. philosphicaIly.
officially, technically or howsoever you please.
His writings also prove bis exceptional com.
mand Of f0rciBle ana elegant dicfion. But
the personal Charm of the man himself. has
rare faculty CT swaying his audience into
sympathy with tho cl:angeful moods OF his dis
COGrSc-the5e we Plttsburgers first learned on
Monday evening last.
The lectures were instructive and inspiring
in the highest degree. Art Society has added
considerably To her laurels in introducing to
-Eis community such 4 man as H. E. Krehbiel,
The Marine Band Concert,
Ot the Marine Band concerts at Old City Hall
yesterday afternoon and evening not much need
be said. The band will readily rank with the
Others Of its class that have visited us. Mr
Sousa is a careful and intelligent conductor
evidently; but lie needs to repress those braying
hrasses somewhat and give the wood-wind a
chance
Miss Decca displayed soprano organ of un-
usual compass, powerful to a degree, and pos
sesSlng pure quality at the top and bottom
j er vOealiZation was remarkably brilliant and
she showed. also. no little feeling in her simple
ballad singing. Both band and singer are well
come to PittsDurg at any time.
~
Tho Allegheny Musical Association.
An Important concert, even in the present |
musical crush, will be that which closes the |
season of the Allegheny Musical Association.
10 be given at Carnegie Hall next Tuesday |
evening. Under Mr.. W. A. Lafferty's baton, |
and with Mr.. John A. Bells accompaniments, |
the following attractive programme will be pre-. |
sented:
l. Hero and Leander. Dramatic Cantata.