New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-04-17
MUSIC
THE LAST ARION CONCERT-NEwS NOTES
AND COMMENTS /

Mr.. Van der stucken's devotion to the cause q
nationallsm In music has frequently been demon,
strated, but more strikngly than last night,
when, at the last concert OF the Macnnergcsang.
AriOn he gave mp the larger part OF the pro-
gTamme to his old teacher Peter Benoit Van de-
stucken, though born in America. Is by descent ana
education a Famand. and 1t Is perhaps not to 10
wondered at that with his well known enthusiasm he
should cling TO the affections which were nurturd
In him during the most lmprcssonable period OF his
lile But this explains his attitude toward Benoit
only In part. In the course OF his career since 10
came 10 NcwiOrk TO direct the musical destinies
of the ArOn he has repeatedly shown that he places
very high estimate on that characteristic ex-
preston in music which springs from national traits.
1t was this conviction which prompted him to give
his exceedingly interesting series OF Novelty Concerts
when first he came and then to supplement them
with q series of American concerts. young man
himself he believes that hdebOund conservatism
can be forced to give way to youthful tai.
ent and that all that is necessary to this con.
summation Is that the younger composers shall have
Il chance to be heard Benolt Is no longer young
man. but he is dstinciivey national composer, and
this fact has prevented him from being well and
widely known he deserves lie Is national not
only I'm the choice Of his subjects but also In his
ner OF utterance. This was shown I'm some OF the
music last night which either employs melodies that
belong TO the folk-songs OF the Netherlands are
fashioned after them. These melodies generally
straightforward, energetic tunes, which accept with
particular effectiveness the mode OF treatment which
BenOit has made his own. The Flemish composer
IS a master I'm vocal as well instrumental effects.
lie knows the value OF unison and also OF orchestral
color. lie knows too, how to build up climax, and
how to sustain himself when once he has reached
lofty plane OF dramatic expressiveness. Whether or
not he is as spontaneous in melOdic invention be
Is ingenious In using his knowledge OF the technics Of
writing, we should not Ike to say, after single
perence like that Of last night. lie Is obviously an
eclectic for bis tastes range from the most serious Of
the dramatic composers to the most careless OF seekers
after effects, such Meyerbeer. lie can be as
simple and unconstrnined In expression popular
balladist and forced and unnatural as lisiz. THIS
latter peculiarly I'm his It seemed to us,
was noticeable In his setting Of an excerpt from =
~Sanggedicht" entitled Der Rhein." The fragment
dealt with the old legend Of the Loreley, ana In II
there were "reminiscences verbal ana musical Of
Hene's familiar ballad and Silchtfs popular setting,
but they were all stilted to degree. His simpler
and more amiable side disclosed in the Entr
ac,e music from Charlotte Corday' first heard here
nj one OF Mr.. Van der Stucken's Novelty .concers)
with its ingenious and graceful dance tune played
by concealed band Of wind Instruments ana
scene Of popular merry inakfng from Tile convention
OF Client" in which popular Flemish song OF tho
sixteenth century cleverly utilized Those OF his
higher qualities which have been enumerated had
second part OF sort of dramatic and faneiiul canata
entitled The Scheldt."
Tho performance was an exceedingly spirited
one the chorus OF the society aidod in the canata
by the Arion OF Newark distinguishing itself by
promptness Of attack a truhulness and heartiness
which spoke volumes for the training received at the
hands Of Mr.. Won der Stucken, ana the Willingness
Of the singers TO submit 10 the drutgcry which INC
learning OF such work entails. In the second
part OF the concert three new songs by Max spcker.
Mr. Van der stncken and Edward Krems.r were
sung and achieved much favor. The solo singers OK
the evening we're Mrs. Carl Alves, contralto' WILLIAM
BIGGER and Albert Thics tcnors: Perry Averil pary'
tone Conrad Behrens. Hermann Iloremann and trans
Remmcrtz iassos. An orchestral Of sixty men alsS
participated.
The performance OF DR.. Stainers Daughter OF
Jairus- ut ST. James's Church on Tuesday night OF
last week brought "a remarkable series OF musical SER
vices to a close Since Mr.. a. ;. Baker, the choir
master OF the church. began his labors. Handels
. Samson, and "Messiah, COsta's "Eli,' Gaulo
Israel In the Wilderness Sainers "Cruchxion' and
other works OF like kind have been performed In
manner that attc>t-d the excellence Of the training
which the choir has received and demonstrated that
the Church can be made TO exert a potent influence
In public culture.
The Glee Banjo and Mandolin clubs OF Columbia
College will give concert on April Is In the Madison
Square Concert Hail. at which they will have the as
sisance OF the musical clubs Of Cornell University.
The farewell recital OF Mr.. Paderewski in New-iork
Is announced TO take place ON April 80. lie will SAL
for Europe on May d.
A confirmation OF the report that Hans Richter
has been engaged director Of the Boston symphony
Orchestra Is as welcome a bit of musical intelligence
As has been printed for some time. The financial
attraction must have been great To persuade him 10
sacrifice his places conductor Of the Court Opera In
Vienna OF the Vienna Philharmonic society, OF his
own London concerts and the English festivals.
j. Franklin Boume will lecture tomorrow after
noon at the Berkeley Lyceum Opera from It's
Beginning to Wagner Miss Isabelle Bress'
err an infant prodigy the harp Will give private
performance at Stenway Hall on Thursday evening.