New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-02-10
THE BOsTON SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

At the fourth concert OF the Boston Symphony
Orchestra in Chickerng Hall last night, Mr. Nikisch
treated his patrons to sharp contrast between
and old as the astronomers tell us exists between
sunlight and shadow the moon. Handel, Berlioz
and Wagner were the composers drawn The first
contributed one OF those archaic compositions much
affected by instrumental writers two centuries ago
Concerto Crosse. But even among works OF this
class the Handel composition something Of al
exception, for It is concerto for strings with two
accompanying cholrs of wind Instruments We cannot
recall that this music had ever been played in New
York before ard since it gave glimpse Of Handel
from rather unfamiliar point OF view Mr.. Nklscl's
experiment must be set down successful. IL
might be questioned whether it was as much his
purpose to give a lesson in musical history he
binaton OF pieces In the list looked little that Way
to exhibit the skill Of his horn and oboe players for
the composition exacts great deal from those members
Of the band. and its exactIOns met in
that increased the admiration which all 1udciOUs
lovers OF orchestral music have long felt for tho
musical itlnerants from Boston. Nevertheless, tho
music was moro interesting for its disclosure Il
Ilandels skill writer for orchestral instruments
skill which the ordinary concerts oer, who knows him
chiefly If not wholly in his oratorlos has hitherto had
TO believe In the authority Of the musical historians
His treatment Of the wind choirs two horns. two
bassoons and two obocs) in the concertante manner
gave such unusual funess and interesting color tho
music and brought up many suggestions OF devices
further than Weber, that despite the archaic form
and the ingenuousiess Of the melodies, the concerto
heard with small degree Of curiosity and
pleasure The device Of dialogue treatment which runs
all through the work has a particularly striking
exemplfcation in the last movement, ggue, In
which the cackl!ng conversation Of the oboes their
Interruptions of each other and duets has delic.ousy
humorous effect. Mr.. Nikisch did not go outside his
Land for solo attraction,but nevertheless gave
OF the most delightful solo treats Of the season. In
asst gning Mr.. Knetsel play the viola Obbligato in
the symphony which BcrlOz labelled "HarJh in
Italy," and which the second number on the con-
cert scheme. We have frequently had occasion TO
speak in terms Of warm praise Of Mr.. kneisei. buo
his performance last night the much-abused viola
ravishng in is beauty that IL II scant
justice had been done heretofore 10 the musiciany In
stincts the exquisite taste and the fauess technical
skill Of the Boston principal Certain ii is that the innate
nobility Of the instrument itself, its quality of dreaml
ness and tender melancholy. its luscious rpcness ~
tone, have never been exhibited here, tor a dozen
years least they were by Mr.. hnei,e His per-
Mr.. Nk,ch gave the Work, went
AS far a. anything could toward iustiiying the Sc
lection Of the sO-called symphony for performance:
BerlOzs "Chldc HAROLD is not only the bafest KIND
ceiyes its impulse the title and description IN.
stead OF the mU-ic-lt Is also a traVesty Oh b5FCh
poem which lover Of poetry finds IL hhrd to forgive.
Nothing could better have held up its hollow pre-
tentousness and penury OF idea to notlce thah me
music which followed il last night: the pre- Jude ID
Lohengtn7 and Hans lcher's arrangement I9r con.
cert purposes Of three scenes from "seSreI' and
Die G0etterdaemn, rung.' Both Of these pieces were
performed superbly, and closed the evening "llL t'
enthusiasm OF the audience wrought up to an exctA:
climax.