New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-02-26
MUSICAL COMMENT.

The first concert OF the American Symnhors
Orchestra took place under the direction of Mr.
Sam Frankie last Saturday evening. THIS organza
ton is composed exclusively Of musicians born In
the United States. The fact is not cited as emitting
the orchestra to special critical consideration or az
making extenuation in any way for shortcomings
NewYork is rich in orchestral players, and enjoys
by reason pentitude OF orchestral concerts The
organizers of the American Symphony Orchestra
d!sclam all desire to create prejudice against
any of the existing organizations. as well all
right TO support which shall not be deserved on
artistic grounds. They wish. however to demon.
srate that It IS possible 10 recruit the older bands
without importing men from Germany, and II
does not appear why this should not be set down
as laudable ambition. One fact 70 whch atten-
ton was directed by the concert might properlv
enough have been urged as 4 SPECIAL merit. Being
most of them sons Of German musicians the men,
bers Of this orchestra young men who take
pride in their work. and are not swayed entirely
by pecunary considerations. The spirited manner
In which the music was played on Saturday proved
the value OF youthfuress and sincerity OF aim.
1t Is se,G m that concert Is heard in New-York
marked by greater precision than characterized the
playing of this band. There was. moreover, a
commendable purity OF intonatiol. and the volume
Of sound was fully commensurate with the re-
quiremonts of the occasion. The programme con-
sisted Of Beethoven's "Egmoat' overture. In SYM
phOny, in y by Mozart (No. 3sJ IN K6chevs cata-
logu0; Nenle.ssohn's concert air, "infcce." the
theme and variations from Moszkowskis first suite
for orchestra, q itgenGe for v.o.once.lo composed
and played by Victor Herbert AM the prelude to
Wagner's "Mesiersnger." Mrs. Theodore j. Toeat
sans the concert air with taste. just appreca-
ton Of It's sentiment and that musical intelligence
Mr. Herbert's "Lsgcndc' is one Of the mos, in
ished and music.aniv compositions that we have
heard from his pen. not at all commonplace. and
ingeniousy scored. The entire concert vas enjoy
able and fully justified the ambition Of the youth
full Organization.
The Oratorlo Society has apparently establishes
for Itself the custom of giving BachS Passion Ac-
cord!nS TO -. Matthew at least once In TWO years
a custom that has fully as much to recommend II
the other one Of giving The Messiah annually
in the Christmas tide. Tho Bach performances
evening of last week That Of saturday night was
attended by an audience Of large numbers es>
listened to Bach's wonderful Music as if it were a
ben, deep and plcasurabe emotion. Mr.. DAM
rosch's reading and the chorIss performance Of the
previous years The chorales are still sung with
an ultra-sentimentaty and languorous observ-
ance of the ler:nate that are utterly out or keeping
th scheme eln 0 of Bachs v n the partcpa
ton OF the congregation in the performance; and
choruses were otherwise well sung. except for &C.
cas- onal !ndecsion in the attack.
soprano Mss Marguerite Han. contralto; William
H. Rieser tenor and Ericsson +. BlsinneI an. ana
self with 9y far the greatest credit ms singing o,
the music allotted to jesus being OF the utmost
f"ryor and dignity and conceived in spirit Of the
deepest reverence.
The insertion Of dollar mark in one ~ the sen.
fences Of the review ~ the operate season JUL
bicd the badly that it seems wise 10 make
correction. IL WAS the writer's intention - say
hat reprcse nied in admissions. or by attendance.
the $4,000 of subscriptions to the season just ended
was smaller by 5000 persons than the German sea.
son Of lSO-9l. when the subscriptions amounted 10
81 600 Those who went often enough TO the opera
his winter to estimate the average number Of per-
sons in attendance may find food for reelection in
he following table from Mr.. krehbicls annual re-
.ieM OF the Now York musical Season: