The critic., 1891-02-27
AMusEMENTs.
Tho Boston SYMPHONY Concert.

Tho Boston Symphony Concert.
The reputation Of the Boston symphony
Orchestra for finished and artistic skill is
so firmly established as to leave no room
for conventional criticism. It's composed
of as fine body of artists as has ever been
gathered together in one orchestra In
America. II Is led by leader. whose
taste, extraordinary memory and fainili-
arity with every phrase in given work
makes him master Of the musical situa-
tion.
Mr.. Arthur Nikisch, in assuming the
baton, at once inspires his audience with
confidence and the orchestra with SYM
pathy. lie is us grave and devout as a
high priest of art officiating. There is
no clap-trap, no angling for applause
The man is as completely absorbed in his
musical devotion as II he were at prayer
The bearing of the leader has much to do
with the effect of the performance. Mr..
Nikisch conducts with graceful dignity
and modest bearing that show how far
above mere applause he is in the con
scientious and reverent manner in which
he officiates at the altar of art.
The programme last night was excep-
tionally good. The overture Pro
motheus,n by Goldmark, brought ont in
| fine relief the merits of that composer
| and the resources of the orchestra The
originality and dramatic force of Pro
motheus,n which is rich in melody and
full of ingenious Instrumentation, pre-
| work Mozarts Concerto for Piano In ID
Minor" in which Mr.. vladimir dc pach-
| mann made his first appearance here.
| The Andantino and Scherzo. from
symphony No. 4 in i Minor," by Tschai-
kowsky, was great number. 1t has all
| the characteristics of Russian music.
| There is q vein of melancholy, hopeless
| ln,,n,na o.,har affapf in, IN dominant
minor key of the "Andantino" which
| appeals to the imagination like group
| OF exIles EN- route to Siberia. 1t Is the
same spirit and form of musical express
sion peculiar to semi-barbaric nations.
Traces of 1t are to be found in the Span
ish and Mexican music, only in not 50
marked q degree. The "Scheno" might
be called an instantaneous musical photo
graph of a merry band of Russian peas
ants.
The Symphony in A, No I, of Beetho-
ven was magnifcently rendered. All of
its beauties were illustrated and inter-
preted with consummate power and intel
ligence. v,,n
This artists reputation had preceded
him, and it only remained for him to con
firm it. His performances in New York
had been heard of and curiosity was on
tptoc to see what manner of man he was.
Given, q short, thick-set figure, q pair of
broad shoulders, a large head, black hair,
in II, small sinewy hands, long taper fin
gers of steel, tipped with cider down
and you have his personality. He came
smiling in on the best possible friendly
terms with everybody, orchestra and au.
dience. He beamed on the one and
smiled at the other and began with
out further ado. He played as one
/ r,apfarfIu enneatpttq nuI annrapinftUa nf
his own marvellous skill and as If it
was nothing remarkable for him to do.
He swayed about in his seat like q bird on
a bough, performing, mean time prodig-
iously difficult passages while gazing sym.
pathetically, first at the audience and
then at the orchestra andsmiling, as much
as to say: How is this for Pachmann?"
His performance Of 1.-THE Bercense, "rwo
Etudes' and the "Valse of AZ" OF Chopin,
fully maintained his reputation as one of
the most classic Interpreters of Chopin
now living. His touch is delicious, firm,
accurate and marvelously delicate. The
smoothness and exquisite finish of his
effort apparently but the strength and
force are all there. Let other pianists be-
ware now of attempting Chopin after
Pachmann. A great audience testified its
delight, and never was there greater en-
thusiam.
Goods ana Men" at the Academy OF
l. Music.
The new political musical comedy in
two acts, with prologue and epilogue,
Goods and Men" or From Mount Olym-
pus TO Washington" by gentleman not
| unknown in the National Capital, will be
produced at the Academy OF Music next
} Il week. II introduces the Civil Service Com
mission, the Farmers Alliance, the npl0-
matte Corps and the new House rules.
/ gods of mythology and o modern god,
, Banco, who especially has TO do with Mr..
Il iSeres, granger of conspicuous part in the
II play. The mundane characters embrace
an author, artist and inventor, who are
suddenly made rich and turn mp in Wash
ington TO hob.nob with public functions
/ ries and the Diplomatic Corps. r-, t
The scenes are laid in New York and
Washington. The work 10 that OF an old
newspaper man, and the music is by the
/ well-know composers, Max -Knauer and
Emil o. .NXolff. There are q number q,
/ topical songs in the comedy set to very
catchy music. The work is TO be inter
|, preted by accompany of recognized artists
including three well-known comedians.
Change OF Bfii at tho National. ~
The three plays which have won thu
plaudits Of large and, enthusiastic audi
enees at the National thus far in til,
week last night stepped gracefully to thu
! rear, and three Others as promptly took
their places as candidates for popular
favor and vehicles for the talents of Mis-
yokes and her very capable company
The one-act play, The Old Musician, 4
an adaptation from the French by Mr.
, Felix Morris, and one very happily adapted
} to his dramatic abilities. His .Nonsiep
Jarqnes is an admirable bit of cbaraGte
painting presented with Meissonier lik
: perfection Of detail "Wig and Gown
a lively. comedietta, also new to Washing
: ton audiences, gives full scope for tn
viyacious spirits of Miss Vokes, and he
Q efforts are ably seconded by Mr.. Courtena.
: Thorpe, Miss Bancker and the rest. TIL
performance closed with "The Rougl
: Diamond" which repeated Its forme
) successes. This and tomorrow evening
= by request, 'The Circus Rider will b
I substituted for wig and Gown"
2 Extreme Novelties.
$ From he DrD Goods Ec0Romist.
Nile green, gold and satin lampas "a