New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-12-30
MUSIC.
MIR. WALTER DAMROSCHS OPERA.

II.
At the third afternoon and evening concerts OF
the Symphony Society next Friday and Saturday
a large portion of q opera composed by Mr..
Walter Danrosch Will be performed under the d.
rection of the composer Ii is scarcely necessary 20
say TO readers of The Tribune that such an occa-
sion invites from 1t special attention This Journal
aims TO be patriotic in all its policies. and has Tor
years sought to encourage the cultivation OF good
music of all kinds in America. and especially 10 al
vance the interest Of American composers IL mas
believed this TO be possible without a lowering OF
the standard of judgment or pandering TO vulgar
taste 1t has not found 1t to say that the
bad was good because II CHANGED TO be n nauVe
product; but neither has it found 1t necessary to
accept everything as good that CHANGED to come TO
us with a foreign label and win its way to hearing
in our concert-rooms II has believed and therefore
II has so urged. that what the composers of the
United States need is a hearing. so that they as
we'll as the public may learn the measure OF thcT
strength or discern their weakness. They deserve
10 be heard. but they do not need TO be coauieu'
Coddng will not produce the class or composers
which every patriotic music lover Is hoping 10 see
arise in this country; it is even more dangerous
than repression. for genius often oVercomeS oDs'd-
cles set its path and is then unable to Withstand
the Establishments of nattery or hold out against
the sweets of success. Every season the American
composer is acquiring hrmer foothold at nome
and winning greater respect abb DAD. TO near Such
music as Mr. MacDowells p.anoforic concerto
nlaved al the last concert of the philharmonic So
clety or Mr. Horatio W. Parker's HoTa NoNis-
sima" or Mr. George w. Chadwicks new SYM
phony is calculated TO warm the heart OF every De-
lever in the ultimate destiny OF the Ohl'eu suites
TO take her place with the artstcaly creative ieo
ples Of the Old Word in this respect as we'll as IN
s.atecraft warfare commerce and learning. And
the way to advance such a contamination Is 10 give
respectful ear 10 what our native composers Hi"
opportunity TO say. and to judge II with ih'e"ser'
discrimination and with the same measure Oh MINI
ness and dignity as ought to mark all artisuc CRUZ
cism.
The purpose of this writing is to help 10 such IN
+.riyent discrimination in respect of Mr. Damroschs
music: exposition is Its aim. not criticism. NUS"
must be caught it flies. AMI there are re" VIM
can discern the meaning or even the structure vi
composition on a first hearing. 1t IS Always "ei'
therefore TO give the mind and the fancy Oh ,he
,c,eners starting points for their activity. lh's
shall here be attempted with Mr.. Damrosch opera
With the book only be coEcerheu 50 i"' a.
IL is necessary show what II is tha' mas i'spi-
the music and provided the framework LOT IT, -
woud not be wise. because II is not caiieu lo'' W
discuss what merit the opera has as a draind''
creation; and indeed. since Mr.. Damroscn mas CUM
posed his music in the modern spirit d Iese
will have TO be made in its behalf even Ill d u''
cussion OF the concer; performance because u III,
absence in such performance OF the dc''o" a''u
.ha stage pic;ures Moreover. the composer mas
sought to give expression 10 the moods oil ""'u
scenes as we'll personages. and mere the eApoS'o
only hone to awaken lne ldINS ~ 'N''''0
the scenes are and how 1t has Oeeh Sous" ~ ''"'
the music conform to them 49,.
The opera is called The Scarlet Letter inc
lyrical dramatization OF hawthorne romano
ing been accomplished hy Mr. George Parsons i'a
throp II Is rhymed throughout and written WIZ"
.ome OF that freedom in the matter OF 10TH ""'."
che roodern manner Of musical composition no' only
tolerates but invites. Mr. Damroscn VIII P'eSe"
the first act and portion Oh the se0o'u 0'!
The concert Performance and 1t VII. ho' DC 49,
sarv therefore. to discuss the eHufe DUN ~
:, that this is in three acts and follows closely the
incidents and sentiments Of the story whlch W. ,
aoe,,.s good dramatic material by the authors III
the end There, for obvious reasons TIC :" an"
denarts from the romance. DIN Hesudie p'oO''''
his sin standing with Hester on the piory anna
the pomp CT the eec;on-day festivities anu '.e
heroine truly such IN the opera as she y d" Wv
hook having promised him that in his enort 70
escape he should not go alone, drinks Po'so" i''
a phial she had taken from him IN the "oou an
dies beside him. This ending. though not /" N.eP"a
with the character Of Hester as depicted IN the TO-
nance serves an ethical purpose of when po'h
librettist and composer have made use' II worhS d
change in the hearts OF the populace. In the ',iS'
act the peope are all harshness and hatred al 'ne
end OF the last they sing:
Hush hush. Their souls are fed
Peace unto the dead!
The flower OF sacrifice
Blooms in earthly garden; .
Thou Hester oy,r US d ripm sneb hast satS wOn'
May God thee pardon.
Tho onera onens with the scene in the market
Mace Of Boston, showing a prison, church towhha
and pillory with a view Of the harbor as bach-
ground There is an excited gathering OF puritan
men and women from the streets arouhu Master
Rraeke,t the taller who. with company OF soi-
ders guards the prison door The PEOPLE ran against
Hester and demand that she be brought forth TOT
condemnation Mr.. Damrosch has made use OF the
system of typical phrases. and the hrst OF these
(Which persons who have a liking for labels Ia
Wolzogen- Wagner may call the Scarlet Letter rnot
sounds out in the orchestral part while the chorus
sings:
O child OF error. fair,
Caught ia her beautys own unhahowed snare
Here is the phrase:
NJ .)-h~