New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-04-25
MUSIC.
MR.. SEIDL AND TIE NINTH SYMPHONY

BeethOven's Ninth symphony resembles the Kingdom
OF Heaven in the particular that II suhcreth vlo
lence. and the violent take II by force In the alb
scncc of an unImpeaChablc commentary, we choose 10
interpret the Biblical text in manner complimentary
10 both Heaven and the heaven sormer. and In Tho
application also TO fcethoven's great creation ana
the forces that carried It by assault Saturday night AZ
the last festival concert Of the Philharmonic society,"
Mr. SeidI and his forces accomplished remarkable
feat last saturday il has yet appeared that tina
fact was appreciated. In NewlOrk, Boston, Brook.
Yn, Cincinnati and other places, with chors ranging
from / 900 voices down to couple Of hundred and
orchesras from 200 down TO sixty The writer has heard
the great work performed under circumstances calcu
lated 10 inspire the performers with enthusiasm and
the listeners with that susceptibility TO deep impress.
s0ns which goes with the festival spirit. lie has
heard the orchestral parts played with greater beauty
OF and suavlty of manner and the choral portion
given in part with far greater sorority. But never
before dld that the music brought 10 near
TO the comprehension and emotions Of the listener a,
on this occasion. Mr.. scdl has done many things
which have appealed to The Tnbune's reviewer only
for condemnation: h. has done many other things
which II has been delight to applaud he never did
anything which his qualities interpreter in 30
brilliant light his reading Of The Ninth symphony II
wns tbs more remarkable since the response which no
received from his forces neither prOmp
complete he had right to expect. His wishes
were at times met only In part and want OF purity
in information in the wOodwnd instruments frequently
marred the pleasure given by the reading. But We
greatly doubt whether the pul'atlng heart of Feet
hovens monumental work ever before I'm NewYork
exposed fnIly this OCCASION whether the
purposes of the composer ever proclaimed 80
eloqucntly and the dramatic llfc-blOcd Of the work
permitted to course through It's swelling veins with
such unchecked freedom In the first movement
Mr.. Seldl ,poke Ike a oracle in the schcrzo he opened
\ To Iots hmm ~ no
and when the slow movement began and all felt how
the peace OF heaven rested upon these there
must have 10 for the first time revelation
Of the fact that there IS no more perfect illustration
than Beethoven Of the intimate association which ex
lists between dccp feeling and notous bumor.
| Eut If Mr.. sodl accomplished miracle with the
trained veterans Of the Philharmonic band. what shall
| be said Of his achievement with the choir which Mr.
Brlstow had gathered together for him! 1t was
small choir smaller by a hundred per cenum than
any that have ever heard attempt % sing the
work and II would not be 10 say that II was dis
| tngushed by any peculiar beauty Of tone. In
personnel It bore no comparison with the last choir that
e,sayed the work at Philharmonic society," hut be-
tween its work and that OF the Metropolitan Musical
Soclet; that occasion. there is possible chance
for comparison 1t sang the orchestra PLAYED. With
eyes on tn. leader and with his mind and his feeling,
domlnar; the Itterancc. There blood curdllng
difficulties in the score but the spartan band did not
stop 20 be frightened by them The high tones held
out with iron fOrtitlde, the rhythms given with
crisp ncisivcneSs and the response the conductor,
be2, quick lightning. Beethoven composed
fundamentally for the voices, and Mr.. sed made his
/ choir part 81 his band and handled IL accordingly
Though his singers few. they gave out body Of
tone that balanced admirably with that ~ the
orchestra and this mmctry enabled Mr. scdl 10 brn:
TO notice beauties that never heard when great
bodies atompt the impossible task Of performing the
choral part OF the Ninth symphony. Many Of
BeethOven'S artistic aims lie IN color effects between
Instruments ana voices. which are only attainalt
flp l. rpS Va
| instrumental band II wa daring Thing 20 do and
some n the eXterialS OF the performance the
effort the appearance OF crude experiment the placing
| Of the singer, avkwaIdly managed, but The
bhlancy OF the effect obtained in the climax Of hl
'hOal portion. where Beethoven, indulCng his lone
Tor musical deneatlon opens the celestial vault % the
devo1t listener. completely justified Mr. >cid In his
conception Of the proper manner In which perform
tie Smith symphony. As fog his reading. wa
marked 10y the characteristics that gave such wondrous
| clOqucnce To the Wagner music thar preceded the
symphony uncCmpromsing devotion TO the spirit OF
| the cDmpOSitiOn.