New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-03-08
MUSICAL COMMENT.
THE FIFTH PHILHARMONIC CONCERT
VICTOR HERBERT AND HIS BAND


VICTOR HERBERT AND HIS BAND.
The Philharmonic Society and Mr. seddI to,n.A
Mr.. Theodore Thomas IN a gracious and sracsfm
act OF devotion to Bach at the concert IN Carnss4.
Hall last Saturday evening. Among the works a
that master which have practically fallen into de-.
uetude are the six sonatas for violin and claw,
composed while he chapeimaster TO PrnnH
Leopold Of Anhat-Colthen. Like 80 many other
compositions of the period. these soratas msss
sketches In part. 1t Is known, moreover that tha
two concertanti instruments were accompanies ~
a second harpschord. The part for this instru.
ment not written out. but had to be supplied
by the player In the same manner that vocal solos
were accompanied on the organ or harpsichord
Such playing Is a lost art. and even II the printed
page of the sonatas were read upon the modern
representative Of the old harpsiohord-that is tha
pianoforte-the effect Of the music would no, b
such as Bach contemplated. The harpsichord was
but a tinkling affair compared with the piano
forte but It was capable OF wide range Of effects
Sometimes II fitted with a swellbox like ths
organ; by means Of stops manipulated by the
hand like those OF the organ the player could
bring into play a single set OF Jacks and strlngs a
double set Of unisons third set OF strings half
the length Of the FIRST and consequently an octave
higher. In addition there was coupler, so that
the fullest chord which the hards were capable OF
grasping coule be duplicated in the octave. Il
to have long been the belief OF Mr.. Thomas
that the beautiful music contained in the sonatas
might be kept alive for the edifcatou and delight
Of the modern public by transatng II into the Ian.
guage Of the orchestra. Eight or nine years ago
he transcribed the In F minor and dedicated II
to the Brooklyn Philharmonic Society. OF whose
concerts he then conductor. Last year he
transcribed the third Of the set, that in major
and brought II forward at OF his concerts IN
Chicago. 1t Is dedicated to Mr. F.. Francis Hyde
NJ fha
This, In brief, is the story OF the composition
which opened the fifth concert of the Philharmonic
Society. 1t is possible that musicians will disagree
to the ACCESSIBILITY of such work as Mr.. Thom-
ass and argue that they prefer the old wine In
the old bottle; but the Judgment Of the public Will
be different. Mr. Thomass treatment Of the sonata
has certainly rescued It from archaism. The music
pulsated with life Saturday evening and doubt.
less hundreds learned TO know its beauties 70 whom
the sonata In its original form would still be a
sealed book. The work OF orchestraton has been
done with discretion, both in the choice OF nstru
ments and in the employment Of the new material
occasionally demanded by the increase In the num-
Der of voices Most decidedly the sonata, In Its
new dress, Is distinct acquisition - the too small
repertory of practicable Bach pieces.
The solo attraction Of the concert was DR.. Dvoraks
concerto for vo.onceo. which was played By
Introduce the work in London and elsewhere. Il
may be that under the circumstances he was the
ittest 70 play 1t at Philharmonic concert. There
can at least be no doubt that he has completely
assimated 1t and possesses qualifications as per-
former OF the kind that the work requires; but
there would have been pretty propriety In IN
vi.ng Mr. Schroeder, OF the Boston Symphony
Orchestra. to play it. for 1t grew under his eyes,
The concerto was written here and Mr.. Schroeder
"demons,ra ted" it TO the composer as he went
along Mr.. Stern played it with dignity and nice
appreciation OF it's merits There seemed TO b Q
discrepancy between the size Of his beautiful insru-
ment and the tone which he drew from II, but
finer exposition Of the contents Of the work than hs
gave could scarcely be conceived In fact, the lovers
OF Dr. Dvorak's music must feel particularly be.
holden to him for having removed the impression
created earlier in the by a violoncellst
who played two portions OF the concerto at
one of Mr. Walter Damrosch's Sunday night
concerts At that time there were moments
when the music sounded turgid and diffuse. but
last Saturday night everything about 1t was Easel.
natingly clear 1t is noble composition most as
suredly one OF the finest written for the vio-
loncello Unlike the music usually composed Tor
the instrument by virtuosi who play IT, this con-
certo speaks the language in which the viooncelo
is most eloquent. All its phrases are id!omatc,
and there is just such a preponderance OF song,
now gracious of sentiment. now broadly passionate
the v!o.onceo. DR.. Dvoraks player Is not per-
mitted TO indulge in the unseemy gambos so COM
mon in virtuoso compositions. and which no DOUBT
have often made nearer wish that all OF the I'M
cardboard beyond the neck might be abolished II
DISPLAYS the instrument and therefore Is con-
certo but II displays beautiful musical ideas more
It is delightful In the exposition OF its relodic ma
terial and mastery in its development OF tha'
material The remaining two numbers or the pro-
gramme were familiar observation-disclosures
.Melusne" overture and Schumanns D-rinor SYM
phony The performance OF these was rather per-
functory ard told OF a want OF careful prepara'
ton: II cannot have been want OF interest
A hall which generally echoes 10 the music o'
symphonic orchestras is not the httest pace luz
a concert given by a military band. In such sur
roundings the concert invites such comparison q
the military band, which has Its mission IN th'
economy OF art. cannot endure. There are prob
ably more people TO whom the gay and IN! tnnie'
ally incisive music proper TO military band ap'
peals than lovers of symphonies and symptoms
poems; but that fact does not enter into the casa
which rests purely on an artistic question. Never
theess the lovers OF military bands do enjoy them
in the Carnegie Hall. Mr.. Sousa proved that con-
clusveiy few weeks ago, and Mr.. Victor heroess
again last night. 1t was a concert OF the 20
Regiment Band, and the voice OF enthusiasm was
incessant and like the voice OF many waters ana
many thunderngs Not only the band. but aiso
the solo performers. Mr.. Herbert himself volon'
cello Miss Marie Donavin "a soprano with hgnt
but pleasant voice and considerable vocal dextery'.
and Mr.. Ernest II. Clarke. trombone. were ooise0
TO give double measure.
THE DAMROSCH OPERA COMPANY ARRIVES