New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-12-17
MUSIC.
THE PHILHARMONIC SOCIETY,"

A graver defect than the orchestral imnpre In
tonation and a deplorable resort to exaggerated
nuances in Mr.. Paurs reading of Beethoyen's e
minor symphony marred the public rehearsal for
the third concert Of the Philharmonic Society IN
Carnegie Hall yesterday afternoon. The defect nm
Ike those specified. is one that cannot be remedial
A. the concert this evening. and, hence there can
he no injustice IN commenting on the rehearsal in
stead OF reservins the comment for the concert
which is likely TO exhibit the orchestra in
a much better light. The policy exemnl,Aed
IN the Philharmonics programmes for several
decades has been that OF conservator Of
the approved good. The occasions on which II has
seemed 10 make propaganda for new composere
have been extremely rare and in nearly every in
stance the departure from custom has been just-
fed by the unusual excellence Of the composition
Il is this policy which has frequently caused heart
aches among native composers. who have looked
,ongingly toward the advantages which would ac-
crue 10 them from having their works performed
by SO notable an organization. Yet the policy Is
wise. and makes for the good Of the public as we'll
the art
Yesterdays programme marked a depart
ure from the rule IN bringing forward
suite by Gustave Carpenter one Of the
younger school Of French composers. It is a mu-
steal record Of the impressions made upon the mind
OF the composer during his sojourn in Italy the
holder of the Conservatives Roman prize, and Is
entitled Impressions d'Italie" The work is not
new II first heard in Paris about dozen
years ago. and Mr.. Seid gave 1t a trial at
cert arranged for Courtlandt Palmer IN the
hall OF the Madison Square Garden March 3,
i@l The suite has FIVE movements. which not
OILY singularly alike In the devices with which
they are built up and on which they rely for their
effectiveness. but also in that they the frankest
kind Of descriptive music The movements have
titles. which werc given to them by the COM
poser and. judged by the music, they APP
posite enough. No one need feel called upon
70 quarrel with them. and a liberal mind
he i've m
pended by Alfred Ernst to the score having
vare lone II re read IN tire proper spirit.
Here. however there Is danger There is danger
o. bringing music into ridicule when speaks Of
4 as describing procession Of maidens with feet.
arms necks and breasts barred and Drowned by the
sun" CARRYING bronze Jugs upon their heads their
hips slightly swaying' in place. heat and light
n another and explosion Of fireworks In still
another. or course. the composer did not wish
such a programme 10 be accepted literally. The
scenes described by the rhapsodcal commentator
are such picturesque incidents as one may see In
Italy and the details have no other purpose
than 10 quicken the fancy of the listeners
that II may be the easily reached by
music What the composer might have done
10 have put the mood Of the pictures into his music
and then had the music been independently beauti-
iul II would not fall under condemnation because
o. the programme. Charpenter has worked IN
geniousy In the main by finding his motives IN the
sounds which are supposed 10 accompany the
pack the tolling OF bells the mixed noises OF
bustling Italian city (Naples). street music. the
whirl Of the tarentella, the ominous rumble OF
Vesuvus-but he has blinded all this with attempts
a. Gelineations OF nature 1t Is al fresco painting
the end. and runs into charvari which
needs only cannon. anvls and such noisy apparatus
70 reach the dignity OF gala day Manhattan
Beach in the palmy days OF Gilmore. Has music OF
this kind place In the concerts OF the Philharmonic
Society? We do not believe 1t has. even while ad-
hiring the ingenuity and beauty of much in the
second. third fourth movements. AS for the
depletion OF the noises Of Naples. Its performance
a. Philharmonic concert outraged the traditions
OF the society and put IL In the light Of an organ
ization willing seek popularity with claptrap
effects. Coming between Schumann's noble over
ture TO "Genoveva' and Beethovens minor SYM
phony on Beethovens birthday. IT was peculiarly
out Of place.
Nine Josephine Jacoby was the solo performer
OF the concert. She air from Clicks PA
ride ed Elena con. del milo dolce ardor) and
Saint-Saenss Sampson and Daa' Glamour.
viens aider) with beautiful and ample voice. but
with little warmth and artistic distinction.