New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-03-25
MUSIC.
THE AMERICAN SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

1t was a thoroughly delightful concert which the
American Symphony Orchestra. under the direc.
ton of Mr. Sam Frankie, gave in Chckerlng Hall
yesterday afternoon The motive which prompted
the establishment of these concerts was iaudable.
The intention was TO show that the rule concern
Ing the performance of the best order Of orchestral
music which has obtained In New-York during the
ffty-odd years In which the city has enjoyed regu.
lar concerts of such music was no longer Of neces-
sity operative Frankly stated the rule was that
only German musicians could meet the demands
Of the art Mr. Frankos demonstration. begun last
year. successful only in part for at the ou,se,
he was confronted by the fact that though the
children OF German musicians have followed their
parents into the profession and are numerous
enough to make good showing on the stage, and
talented enough In certain departments TO do all
that the art asked OF them they have not taken
to such instruments the oboe. French horn, bas-
soon, etc, which, however essential 10 orchestral
music do not afford a livelihood according to
American notions. Con sequenty he has been
obliged to depend on the nelp OF German musicians
to a considerable extent in his orchestra. and has
had moreover TO contend with a popular indirer.
ence 10 his patriotic idea which must have taught
him and all his associates that the love Of music
in New-York knows nothing Of nationality In
view Of an extremely interesting and at the same
time lovely demonstration made in yesterdays con-
cert the chief lesson of The concerts given hereto
y.
At this concert Mr. Franko produced
novelty which may be said to point
the way to field OF music. which ought at least
to provide n useful activity 10 the American SYM
phony Orchestra The novelty has lived consd.
erably a century In musical literature. but Is
nevertheless as fresh and dewy anything that
be conceived. 1t is symphony in a major. by
Mozart, written In l71i. and by all accounts one
OF the favorite works OF it's composer. II IS written
for strings oboes and horns. and in order that his
audience should hear it it used to sound in the
days OF the composer, Mr.. Frankie reduced his
orchestra 10 last century proportions. The result
was charming in the highest degree. and in the
minds Of the musicians inclined be critical left
only wish that the change In the oboe tone which
Mr. Eller has lntroduced-a change which has often
met with deserved praise in modern music
had not resulted In disturbance OF the tonai
balance and the instrumental color native TO
Mozart's music. The music OF the symphony Is
delicious. and there scarcely be a musician
lover OF music who heard it yesterday who will
not earnestly wish for repetition OF It. There Is
much music in existence OF the same kind which
has been crowded into the background by the
modern tendencies in the art and whose preserya-
ton might be made the pious duty OF this orchestra
as the preservation Of the church music OF the
sixteenth and seventeenth centuries has been made
the mission OF the Musical Art Society.
The symphony was the second number Of the pro-
gramme Before It came BeethOvens Prone
theus" overture and after IL Greg's concerto for
pianoforte played by Mr.. Paolo Calico. and a
ballet suite by Mr.. Henry X Hadey
The vivacous and sparkling overture calls for no
neither does the concerto. beyond a note
on its performance. which highly crediable.
on the whole, TO Mr.. Calico. who provided de-
lightful sensation by the rhythmicai incsiveness,
energy and clearness which marked his playing OF
the first movement in especial Mr.. Hadloy is an
American. who Is in charge OF the musical instruc-
ton at ST. Pauls School in Garden City His
suite has been played heretofore at of the
cers of the Manuscript Society. IL is bright bit
of music, which might easily help TO make the
fortune OF opera surrounded with the usual
show of scenery and dancers In copcert-room.
however. 1t suffers from the circumstance which Is
forced upon the attention, that It is fundamentally
overdressed. The fault is a common with
young musicians. and one that is more quickly and
cured by experience than any other.
And it is only fair to the composer 10 accept It
with tribute TO its genuine musical worth and
as an earnest effort of better things which are to
be expected in the future.