New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-04-01
TIE MUSICAL ART 6CjE7Y.

7, is because every musical society as well as
avery individual artist, sets the standard accord
ing to which judgment must be pronounced upon
n, him or her, that an expression OF dsappolh'-
ment mild perhaps, but unmistakabe, must De
uttered touching the concert of the Musical Art
Society given last Saturday night All such express
sons are relative and for friend of the society
who might be disposed to feel disappointed that a
review of the concert should contain something
else than rhapsodic compliments, there should De
comfort in the reflection that had any soc'e'! en-
cept this given such concert 1t would be the
bolnlen duty of every reviewer TO lift ms voice Ill
enthusiastic praise. The Musical Art society occu-
pies an altogether unique position in New orK 10
tts entertainments It is possible to so WIN 'oustS
wholly removed from ordinary CONSIDERATIONS. IL
cultvates form Of art which is IN It's wa! az Io'!
and pure as that of the proudest professional or
ganiza;on which the country knows the Philhar-
monte Society but Is besides rarer. II occupies Its
Hcld alone and ii is therefore not TO be wondered
at If It's most apprecative friends should feel a
hit disappointed when they are compelled 10 see itS
ideal departed from for the sake of what circum-
stances compel them to designate the commonplace,
with all respect for the artistic excellence of the
manifestation The disappointment in this instance
is all the greater since in its own performances the
societys choir under The direction OF Mr. Frank
Damrosch never appeared to such good advantage.
The difficulty was that appreciation Of the choirs
excellency was marred by the introduction into the
programme of elements which were not only hetero-
geneOus. but which extended the concert uhduIy
and made appeal TO sympathies which are sufficient
IL cultivated elsewhere than In the societys con-
cert-room There was woful excess of solo music
in the concert and of solo music such as the public
had heard frequently this season and hear
whenever II chooses. OF music for whose specific
cultivato the choir organized there was
enough. perhaps, and has been intirnated, II
was sung better than ever before but 1t failed of
much of its effect because it made an incident
Of he buSineSS OF
Brena sang songs which worthy of her, but
which can be heard any day. If one wishes to hear
them: Mr. Plunket Greene sang songs which were
commended by their historical interest and their
enforced rarity in concert-rooms Chey
three German MinnelieteD and by the dignity and
loneliness of his performance; the two sang duets
which were superfiuous in any aspect OF the case
bu; doubly so because they i'll sung, and
Master Gerardy. who has been heard until every
conceivable curiosity which has artistic basis
must long ago have been satisfied. played some
violoncello solos. He plainly weary. and
Miss Brema. who will need to consult
circumspection and moderation If she wishes TO re-
tain the good and affectionate opinion she has
here; so also 1t seemed, was Mr.. Greene in his
ond duet with Miss Brema, in which he departed
Interestingly from business of pitch. In conse-
QUence the solo features which in any event must
have been voted excessive, were not up TO the
standard set by the concerts which have made them
familiar here, and, of course were not the plane
on which the activities Of the Musical Art Society
ought TO move. and. indeed must If II is TO
maintain the prestige which il established in its
first three concerts.
For the singing Of NJ, Damroschs splendid choir
1t easy to find words OF praise. The five num-
bers OF Bach's motel "Jesu meme Freude' were ad-
miraby sung also madrigal by Palestrna
and the bath Psalm by Sweelinck, with its beauti-
ful and interesting treatment Of the melody associ
ated with that psalm in the Genevan psalter which
has come down 10 the Protestant churches OF Eng
land and America. the odd HUndred;h." or.
more cOlloquially odd Hundred Two part songs
by Brahms and two by Schumann u source
OF purest delight but When the OF this depart
ment OF the evenings programme. Corneliuss Die
Natergrufi." with barytone solo sung by MIR
Greene, was reached. the public weary and
wanting in appreCiatiOn-a wOndrOus pity for in
this one song there lay more artistic refreshment
that in all the solo pieces