Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-05-13

and for hearers.
The Programme Out of the Ordinary.
With the slight changes noted below,
this was the programme they listened to:
Berlioz-Overture "Benvenuto Cellini"
Chopin-Concerto for pianoforte in minor,
IA, Allegro Maestoso.
| tb) Romance: Larghetto.
| (c) Rondo: Vivace.
| Mr. Eugen D'Albert.
Goldmark-Symphony, Rustic Wedding"
(a) Wedding March, with variations: Mod
(b) Bridal Song: AlIegretto.
(c) In the Garden: Andante,
(d) Dance: Finale, Allegro motto.
Soil for VioLonceLLo.
(a) Bach, arabande.
(b) Schubert, Moment Musical
(c) klengel, Capriccio,
Mr.. ALVIN Schroeder.
wagner-(a) Prelude "Lohengrin."
(b) "Huldigungs March,"
Viewed in the light of Pittsburg's par
ticular needs, these selections were not Just
what they ought to have been. But that is
another story; one that can best be told in
Sundays retrospect of the whole series.
Viewed from a more general standpoint
and upon its own merits, this is an admir-
able specimen of Mr.. Nikisch's skill in the
art of programme making. In some respects
it is the best, as it is the longest, of all the
programmes made up by the Boston band
for its five visits to this city. Conductors
are not wont to vouchsafe to us provincials
a symphony and concerto on the same pro-
gramme. Pittsburg must, indeed, be ad-
vancing musically.
Goldmark's first symphonic work is more
accurately described as an orchestral suite
of five parts-the third of which, serenade,
is frequently omitted, as on this occasion.
The first and longest movement figured on
one of the former local programmes
of the Boston orchestra; its thirteen
strongly contrasted variations evidence
Goldmark's mastery of orchestral technique
Bridal Song" with its naive. simple
phrases, smacks most of the countryside
Those two lovers ''in the garden" are GER
tainly not a pair of country pumpkins; it is
the tongue of Isolde, laden with sublime,
passionate devotion, that speaks there-not
the uncouth utterance of Audrey. There is
more rusticity again in the finale, in which
the nuptial festivities seem to get fast and
furious, putting very exciting climax to
the work.
The Orchestra in Good Condition.
The orchestra was in superb condition
last night, in spite of the stormy lake yoy-
age of the morning that threatened to keep
it from getting here In time for the concert,
even by the special train provided. |
Mr.. Gericke's invaluable legacy of |
technical refinement and precision |
has been kept intact by Mr.. Nikisch, who |
has now had time to impress bis own artistic
personality upon his men and give added
warmth and charm to their performance.
The playing throughout the evening was
and splendidly virile. Mr.. Nikisch,
being most at home in the modern romantic
school, gave most sympathetic and ardent
to each of the orchestral
works chosen, Of which all but the SYM
phony were already known to the local
audience.
Chopin's E minor concerto, if memory
serves, has not been heard here in many
years; perhaps, not at all. 1t is an early
work Of the great pianoforte composer
whose refined face is SO maligned in the
loes the descriptive writer call
'Benvenuto Cellni" Berlioz's onlv
,pera?" Surely 'Les Troyens" should be
if not performed.) Orchestral
writing was not Chopin's forte; he had to
ret someone else to score his two con-
,ertos and others have since tinkered
1t them considerably. Naturally the con-
,ertos are not consideren his best
works. Nevertheless, the work given last
light has many inspired moments and it
hounds in those beautiful, idiomatic piano.
orte figures and passages that Chopin
lone could write.
Mr. D'Albert made the most effect with
he more brilliant portions of the concerto,
hough the lovely larghetto was given with ,
much feeling and 6nesse. 1t was the splen-
lid passage-work of the allegro
nd the tremendously exciting climax {
f the rondo, however (what a wonderful
elivery of those interlocking octavesD,
hat the little giant of the keyboard fairly
infused his audience. The storm of ap-
lause refused to be stilled until Mr.
)'Albert sat down and played the familiar
hopin Valse in A fiat. 1t was a genuine
vation.
A European Reputation Upheld. 1
Mr. Alvin Schroeder, although quite un-
nown to most of his hearers also excited J
heir enthusiasm to degree that amply up
eld his great European rep utation. 1t is
pity that an artist of this caliber could
OF have been heard in some 9
ave the proper touch of light color to fol-
wv the symphony. He substituted the T
ellknown nocturne by Chopin for the :,
ach piece, and PLAYED tarantelle bv Coss- e
AN for the third piece, giving the Klengel 1
lppiccio in response to the insistent ap-
lause. A sympathetic and truly artistic b
me, rarely clear phrasing, true musical I,
eling and notable brilliance of execution n
ere among the qualities displayed by Mr.. d
,hroeder. Mr.. Nikisch played the piano
rte accompaniments to the cello pieces,
he led the orchestral accompaniment of ri
e concerto, with consummate skill and p
scretion. N
This evening the string orchestra will
ay, in addition to the numbers
'ogrammed, an adagio and ga
Ute by Bach in Bachrich's arrange ir
ent Mr. George Henschel and Mr.. IL
Albert will be heard in several pieces. W
lie Mozart Club, with the orchestra and J.
r. f H. Dermitt, baritone. will perform m
ade's cantata, "Zion," under Mr. Jas. p. "
cCollum's baton. c. w. s. HI