New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-04-13
MUSIC.
COMMENT AND CRITICISM.

leavetaking well calculated 10 impress upon the oh
server the admirng regard which the eminent leader
has from the music,lovers OF New. York, az wen
the reason for that regard. The programme had
but new feature, but the concert did not need
that to be- full Of interest. 1t was Just what
We have always maintained q Philharmonic concert
ought TO bean entertainment designed by the merit
Of the performance TO strengthen and steady tia
taste for works OF unquestoned value to stimulate
appreciation Of high ideals and encourage devotion n
purity in art The list consisted OF four compositions
Mendclssohn's overture "Fingars Cave schumann's
panoiortc concerto in minor played with much
cleaness beauty Of tone and It's eu.ness II with only
modicum Of passion, by Miss Aus der oheJ, Tsehal-
kowsky's "OverureFa ntasle" entitled Hamlet and
Beethoven's 4" Heroic symphony. The band appeared
TO the most striking advantage In the Russian CON-
poser's glowing though puzzllng work, but the eIe
gance and truly classic dignity Of the reading and
execution challenged the same measure Of adrnlra
ton for the familiar symphony. The audience
manifested a purpose TO make demonstration In
honor OF Mr. Thomas from the outset and at the close
he was called back with hand'clappings shouts and
wavings of handkerchefs four times 10 bow his &C.
acknowledgements. During the demonstration the band
remained on the stage and on the first recall Mr..
Arnold, leader Of the volins, handed Mr.. Thomas .
wreath as mark Of the society's regard. Other
wreaths and floral pieces we're handed up from tho
audience Next saturday night there will doubtless
be another ovation for Mr.. Thomas n Brooklyn. when
he will lay down the baton OF the Philharmonic Society
OF that city. on the 22d he will be the guest Of honor
at a banquet projected by Mr.. Steinway. Mr.. Sclurz,
Mr. Curtis and other wellknown citizens and then he
will transfer his activities 10 Chicago, where not only
the task OF organizing orchestra but the work Of
ordering the music for the Worlds Fair, VIII devoye
upon him.
Mr. Thomas has for so long time been the ehid
factor in the sum Of New-Yorks musical he that il
fftu acfiv-
tiles on which he will not put an
impress When an aggressive forward man
was needed to win appreciation for the new tendencies
In ars the man was found in him; when t@e new at
had become terra cognita" and there was need OF
restricting and conserving influence. 1t was again
supplied by the conductor OF the Philharmonic society,"
There Is no question that Mr. Thomas deserved better
than he has received at the hands Of the people OF
New-Yock but the fact that he now leave the city
without checking In the slightest the progress Of our
artistic institutions Is itself monument TO the endur
| inc character Of the work which he has DONE by
going to Chicago hes simply continuing and expand
| ing his mission. The metropolis Of the great Wesi
| needs him as much as New-York needed him twenty
| Ave years ago, and infinitely more than Ne~-loH
needs him now. If he will maintain the standard IN
Chicago for which he fought so long and valanty
| here the cause of art will within year take lDhs
| step forward. lie will leave behind him more an-
mers than friends, but it Is entirely natural that
should be so. An imperious nature, which spoOo III
| the way of warm attachment, narrow vanity "hleh
could not brook difference OF opinion, conVlcuOn
that all ought TO defer TO his view In artistic questou
or keep silent, lest AIT should suffer, repehed many
who might otherwise have been his helpers from con-
sideraticns Of friendship and personal regard a. ~eh
as Of artistic prediction Nevertheless, all farnih-
Cd lovers OF the art TO which he has devoted MS ue
will see him depart with regret, and While the car WHICH
he did SO much set In motion goes roulhs Oh s'eau
| iy and more glori0usy year alter year, they "An
| cherish a higher and ever higher regard Tor inc
services which he rendered TO the cause OF good music
II seems to be generally conceded by the orchestral
musicians of the city that the Pnlliafnloric uiei''
which Mr. Thomas has put aside because OF the 0ans'
in his field of labor will be offered 70 ANTON 'o1ui
In this the society will act wisely and WE'LL AID h'ie
from the student of musical affairs an expression w
CONGRATULATIONS 10 both public and orchestra euch
a change Involves no loss in earneSness ana dignity
of purpose OF devotion TO lofty ideals. IL may se'
| tina spirit of the Philharmonic programmes signify,
Init even this IS doubtful. Mr. sedl, az ohe heaa VI
the Philharmonic Society, will appreciate the outs
which he owes to its traditions and It's manifest mis-
sion as conservator Of the best in instrumental music
He is too thorough an artist, too well grounded d
musician TO wish TO try experiments OF course, no
will keep his eyes in the direction OF Tue morning.,
hut in this he will only show hiSzeal, MS eyes VIII
NOT be dazzed by the meretIicious. lie Is nun Vi
strong convictions, and so is Mr.. IhomaS' ne 10
| wise and patient, and Will work wisely
patiently and persistently for good aH.
| uis antaeonisms will be directed only
against the things which retrogression. He mas
| cast his lot with the American people, whom INC iA's
learned to admire. Since the action of the Metropo'n
directors which deprived him of his place al the cum
ducors desk OF the opera, he has refused na'vers
offer to take charge Of the opera In tie ohei wy
of his native land, Buda Pesth. He is fun OF conn
| for tha
onora naxt season lie regards an episode when Is
ukov IN benefit the cause Of which he is the foremost
| commemorative In America. IL Is passing "fhm'
This at least Is the manner In which We hterpre' Nio
lines which embeshed the broad rbboSs on the "re'n
which last Thursday evening lie handed to Mr. stanton
when the latter came forward 10 Acknowledge 'ie
nlaudits of the multitude at the testimonial enter
sa,nment. The lines were partly from Wagner =
Parslfal' and partly original, and freely uansiAHN
read as follows:
| II twas a curse
| Constrained thee with the good TO part.
| BE sure 1t has vanished
| To truth averse.
| Italian taste and Southern art
In turn will soon be banisheo'
| Tho continued interest In Mr.. Thomas's popuisr
concerts at the Lenox Lyceum was demonstrated again
| last night when the last concert but one oeIole
the conductors departure for chicago tooh pitoe Luz
solo attractions Miss jain, OF the German oPos
| COMPANY: signor Campanini and Miss Alvina frenu'
oil ~ whom were obliged supplement their set num-
hers with Others. Miss Friend has played twice
before at the sunday populaTs She Is young woman
Of upouestioned gifts, but Notwithstanding the recall
~ last might i; cannot truthfully be said nise her
performance of Reinecke's sharp minor eohoe,V "
| added to her artistic stature In inc eyes Vi o"'
,ud,cious She played an undressing work unlntec-
estInrIy The perplexites of planoforte player VITO
wishes to keep clear Of the haekneyed list are gaS'.
ht this fact scarcely justes the selection OF wors
lite this concerto, which was long ago releeated 70
tbe pupils Of the Lepsc Conservatory and the'r eA.
animation concerts Many years ago Mr. hii' pa,' !.
49, ooocert Of the Philharmonic Society, and II u
| =, n,,ttaa 70 rest undisturbed many years more
after this unexpected awakening the lovers Oh p'euo
forte music will not grieve. signor campanlni a"useU
rreat enthusiasm by his imprisoned singing Oh shs
0ne dramatic air Of Eleazar from La JulVe anu 10
- II 4I,o onnlansa which he rocelNed.