New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-10-12

country, and love, for the art which they cuinVate
with ardent love, 1t was comparatively an easy
matter to arrange affair Of stupendOus magnitude
and impressvencss. But in order to make the con-
cert particularly noteworthy, the committee having
II in charge set aside ~ prize for the best
setting in cantata style, OF poetical celebration
Of Columbus.
The composition which won the prize was per-
formed last night under the direction Of It's misca
au,bor D. Mciamet Not less than 5000 people heard
the music and the imposing armory. which since tne
festivals conducted in 1881 and 1882 by Dr. Leopold
Damrosch and Theodore Thomas, respectively, had
echoed only the ramp OF marching soldiers ana the
nose OF arms now rang with swelling and inspiring
muac The picture splendid In the extreme. The
galleries were richly festoOned, stands OF colors
decorated the walls and the stage built entirely across
the west end Of the vast drllroom, was packed with
the members OF the harmonious army. Besides the
vounc composer the leaders Of the Arion and Lieder
kranz Mr. Van der STRICKEN and MI Zoehnef, look
part in the direction OF the concert ana from peg1h
ming 10 end the audience Of 5000 testified their appre
citation OF the music by rapt attention during the per
formance and enthusiastic applause after each num-
Der. -,
The elimination Of the frsal feeling was reacneu
n, the end OF the cantata when, Mr.. Milamct having
been Obliged repeatedly to bow his Acknowledgements
william Stenway. chairman Of the Committee OF Ar
rangemcnts, mounted the stage, ana trahsia'e' INC
| lnorticulate demonstrations Of delight into wTos'
young been the recipient OF greater popular hohors.
Resides the cantata the chorus sang Lachners han
Columbia "The Star spnnged Bonner,' ana bee
tbovcn,s magnificent setting OF Gelerts hymn, The
| Heavens Declare" all in German, OF course
A description OF Mr. Melamet's cantata has already
been printed in The Tribune. Under the ciTum-
stances IL will not be expected that the opinion upon
| the music will be exhaustive. The world is Inclined
70 look with suspicious, but also kindly, eye upon
music written 10 order The greatest composers VINO
bave lived have failed to do justice TO Their genius
when writing what are called "occasonaP' WORMS
To Judge By the enthusiasm Of the singers ana NH
sicIans spectator last night would have thought
that II masterpiece had been ushcred into existence
whether or not this is the case, the future mny De
| normltted 10 decide. without rejecting upon the
admirable talent which Mr.. Mcamet has exhibited III
this his first composition Of magnitude, it ought 10
be said that. under more placid conditions tnah aIe
pos ible now, 1t Is doubtful whether the oantafa "ou
have attracted the attention or evoked the enthusiasm
that ii has done. Yet 1t IS piece OF HISo
in that 1t sounds we'll It ms the ear loS sHs
e as nr % nj b sa 3I To be It's sorority ana
| cuphonlousnesS The parts are hucnt and agIeeaole
TO The ear thu harmonic texture telling. and ne IN
s srmcn,s Tr Moamet is decidedly catholic asiHs
with equal frankness tho suavc language OF MenheisSon
r. Melnsiac' ovetureD and the early Wagner 6u, In
hi, respect n, also in the choice Of IDEAS ana mr.
monte procrssons his aim 70 have been direct
Ills descriptive writing IL not obtrusyc tnongn tne
| iempn,ion 10 Indulge II great, and in quarter
| lntrpduced by orchestra with violin obhStG. NJ eN.
hibts some graceful and grateful part wn,ihs. ~
| conno be- aid however, that his melodlc thOuehis
| arc ALWAYS equal the text and siiuaion ana Ms
| concluding number T. especially weak ana t1vloi
| Tho work was excellcnty performed, considering
MI The circumstances OF the cnse. and II was evident
that the choir was In hearty sympathy with me com
ncr and his work The solo parts were In the HANDS
| ~ Miss Emma Juch. Miss Marie tIroebel. Mt Iowne
| and Mr. Meyn. all artists o. Intelligence ana Tsls. .
Tha Gentlemen are not 50 well known In New hork
ne tho ladies. but will b" strange II the purity ana
fine quality ~ Nr. Tovnes vote" and Inc warm ar
,istic feeling OF M Mcyn, do not win for them the
| f,vor OF tho music lovers Of tho metropolis.