New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-12-09
CONCERT OF THE SYMPHONY SOCIETY.

Mr. Walter Damrosch honored the memory or
Rubinstein last night az the second concert Tor
this season OF the Symphony Society By substitute
ing that composers ocean Symphony" az the
beginning OF che programme for the second SYM
phony by Brahms. previously announced. 1t was
graceful act. and the example has been followed
by the Philharmonic Society. which has wilhdrawh
the overture to "Anacreon." by Cherubni, which
to have been performed next Friday afternoon
and Saturday evening and put Rubinstein's last
concert overture. Antony and Cleopatra In lis
place Mr.. Damrosch's choice the happier. since
the ocean symphony is n much earlier composition
than the overture, and. any one might guess.
though unfamiliar with these particular pieces. one
that is fresher and inspired. Nevertheless.
by including OF the three movements which
Rubnsten added to the symphony twenty years
after its completion. Mr.. Damrosch taught
the lesson which 1t is pitifu to think OF In con-
necon with so great an artist, that there was
serious weakness in Rubnsten's character as a
composer-a disregard OF organic unity and want
Of the power OF sef-criticsm which grew with MS
years and his dsaffection. because of the greater
admiration by men whose tastes and artistic
convictions repugnant TO him. but In closer
harmony with the tastes and convictions OF the
people OF to-day than his own. 1t is possible 10
feel the highest admiration for the great RUSSIAN
as a virtuoso and reproductive artist and still re-
greet that his fecund fancy and technical knowi-
edge. as disclosed in his compositions. were not
balanced by greater restraint and discrimination.
The three additional movements do not heighten
the loveliness Of his ocean symphony as first
conceived and they do destroy its symmetry ana
muddle its poetcal contents As It was written 1t
is a noble example OF programme music In the best
sense music that does not rest slavishly upon
the prorramn,e suggested by the title. but derives
interest from It while remaining self-sufhcient IN
It's beauty That under the circumstances the WORK
received . sympathetic Interpretation from MT
Damrosch and his men. a nne manly band, as mas
often been the agreeable pleasure OF ihis Jourha'
The middle number OF the scheme was Mr.. Dam,
roschs arrangement for orchestra OF a portion vi
Isolde" the portion which had its germ in the song
Tribune" and whose text Is wondrousy linRass,
stoned gorhcation OF night and ooyon , vymSGS
which Wagner has made to undcrlic his great traR
edy Mr. DamroSch has chosen me SoV.our ann s
this muse needs words and human voices for a
ilna.e OF the drama which mas been hrsTn N M
oftener without the voice part than win u IN NV
prelude 10 Humpe rdincks "ilansel ana IRENE
romantic opera based on the familiar ioiklae. VT
,els how a cruel stepmOtheT sends Two 'h''nI'I
INTO the woods TO starve. They hnd their way to
house made ~ gingerbread. bui II IS me nome 81 -
nm In her own oven where she roast while the ch-
dsen escape and return - home The s,epihotuht.i
mi, Of diamonds which Hanse and Grethel have
carried away from the wicked witcn nous, n
on.ra i the reignng musical sensation III triih"rs
and its Composer Is = professor at Frankfurt an
aitschr OF the Iiayreuth fesival meat" nv a1u dis
c,,ercS himself To be- . composer and conductor
The prelude Is in style spirit w9rk"'nrnlP anu .,
rer I'm; lis fneo lies are orig'na ana p.cuilari!
app;ouriaic the subject oi me IIama oraas ." ",
simple the melodies OF the ''''''e"S ''S -
Thc sol, performer was NJ. ysaye. who paved the
So. ,arieilons by Joachim. brilliantly ard all
compcii.nt.y, OF course