New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-03-22
THE SECOND THOMAS CONCERT.

1t will not be the faul, OF Mr.. Thomas. the
agement OF the Chicago orchestra and the pro-
motors OF the rather extraordinary scheme Of con-
certs now under way II New-Yorkers do not be-
come thoroughly Informed touching the merits and
dement's OF the band. whose praises have been
loudly sung In the West. The second concert OF
the series took place In the Metropolitan Opera
House last night and next week there vii! be only
one day In which the walls OF that institution VIII
not echo 10 the music OF Mr.. Thomas's forces and
on that day the unsatIated unsatisfed may con-
iinue their studies In Brooklyn. After such a sea
son as New-York Is just concluding such series
OF orchestral concerts will seem TO many tribe
excessive, but since attendance is no, obligatory
there can be no complaint unless II be against the
assumption that the concerts were necessary In
order to set a standard OF orchestral music before
the people OF this city. Such statement is gfb In
tho mouths OF few people Just now but It's rei,er
alton viii either will have effect
upon the minds OF the judicious New-York has
long been out Of its swaddlng clothes. and can
enjoy the good things which come 10 1, from other
cities without doing injustice 10 It's past and
present activities.
The concert OF last night would lose the greater
part of Its II IL considered otherwise
than as a means for further measuring the quality
OF the orchestra. II began with the superb varia-
lions by Brahms a Haydn theme. which have
ever been the admiration OF Mr.. Thomas Then
came the "Eroca" symphony: then the two songs
which Wagner designated AZ studies for Tristan
und Isolde" elm Trelbhaus" and ''Traume'): then
the prelude and finale from Wagncr's love drama.
and finally the overture-fantasia Romeo and
Juliet" by Tschaikowsky. The songs and the vocal
part OF the finale (Which seems now 10 be '1sodes
TRANSPORTATION instead OF Isoldc's Death') were
sung with panstaking and obvious sincerity OF
effort. but also with nadequacy Of vocal means. by
Emma Juch. cannot occupy discussion Neither
can Mr.. Thomas's reading OF the symphony, "hich
concerned itself FAR more with me letter tnth
with the spirit OF the composition. For the
rest IT is necessary to say that IN the
mechanics OF their work Mr.. Thomass
musicians showed improvement over the nrst
concert last Tuesday. They were better disposed
the stage and there was less blatancy OF the
brass aud less forcing OF the tone OF the Strings
The quality Of the tone Is not distinguished by
richness refinement homog eneity. either IN the
separate choirs or In the band as whole but the
defect seemed less the fault OF Mr.. Thomas iast
night than before. and more consequence or me
character of the men and their instruments. Inc
most gratifying moments In the concert In respect
OF euphOny alone the trio In the symphony, SUI
perb.y done by the horns. and the climax OF the
Wagncrian finale, though the latter treated MISS
Juch almost brutaly. The audience was a fine one
20 could regale themselves with the inspection OF
sunptuous silver drinking horn, which was oxhlh-
tied in the corridor. and had been sent gift 20
Mr. Thomas by Mr.. Paderewski as a tribute 90 "A
great conductor a true man and faithful friend
&. T. Tretbar handed the pretty tribute to Mr..
Thomas between the first and second parts OF the
programme.