New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-12-15
MUSIC.
THE BOSTON ORCHESTRA.

The second evening concert Of the Boston Sym
phony Orchestra, which took place in Carnegie
Hall yesterday restored TO their proper place the
pegs that had been set down by some OF the hap
penings on Wednesday afternoon. Mr. Gericke and
his men were keyed up TO the occasion last night.
and the most nveterate cavller who heard the con-
cert must have counted the day lost 10 him. far
the pleasures OF fautfndlng were concerned.
So II he had spark OF love for music in his soul
his compensation ample, however for not only
did he hear such gentle and ingratisting classics
Mendessohn's 'Melusina' overture and Bee
thoven's second symphony played with exquisite
finish. tonal beauty and what the Germans call
'Schwung," but he also heard a new composition
that was douby heart-warming from the fact that
its composer and the performer OF its solo part
were both admired members OF the organization.
The piece was Mr.. c. NJ Loefier's suite for violin
and orchestra entitled Nights in the Ukraine the
national characteristics OF which The Tribune st.
tempted TO expound to it's readers last Sunday
Whence Mr. Loefier's fondness for the folk music
OF Russia springs does not appear. II may have
come from his sojourn in the country Of the Gar.
his association with the admirable band which
Russian prince used 10 maintain at Lugano. or an
innate love for the most expressive and adaptable
folk music In the world; IN any event he has asso-
ciated himself with the most aggressive and sue
cessful coterie OF composers IN existence in his
efforts 10 show the value OF folk melodies the
composition OF the higher forms. There were
echoes Of those melodies in his sextet for strings
which Mr. Kneisel and others Of his colleagues in
troduced 10 us some years ago. and also in con-
cert piece for violonceo which has been played in
Boston by Mr. Schroeder but not here. These ex-
perinents II they be called such. tenta-
tive and tmid. however. compared with the suite
heard last night which aimed 10 give musical
illustration the spirit Of Gogors collection
OF sketches and tales called In French Veillees
dUkraine" dealing with the nocturnal merry
makngs which make up significant a part
Of the social life OF the Russian peasantry. Mr.
Loefier's work is less happy in uttering the moods
OF GogoTs book than IN disclosing the beauty and
adaptability OF the Russian folk tunes which he
has employed In the latter respect his suite
is most commendable and lovely. His harmonic
and orchestral treatment OF the themes is feicitous
in the highest degree. He does not lift the solo
instrument into the prominence which is dear to
the soul Of the ordinary solo player, but combines
II with his orchestra to make II a potent
voice in the exposition OF the contents OF his work:
yet the rights Of the virtuoso are not forgotten;
they simply turned into a channel which car
ries them TO higher purposes than those cherished
by the merely selfish solo player. For this reason
II was highly gratifying last night 10 observe how
amicaby the honors which were generously show
cred on the work were shared by Mr. Loefiier and
his colleague Mr. Knelsel The latter played with
complete devotion and all his exquisite skill and
taste were expended in giving beautiful utterance
70 his old companions thoughts The audience
were heartily appreciative and the composer was
enthusiastically applauded Mr.. Knese being twice
recalled though there could be thought OF a
supplementary solo.
After this suite the orchestra distinguished Itself
by a brilliant performance Of Richard Strauss
rnarvellousl, ingenious and witty musical Joke en-
titled It'll Eulenspiegels Merry Franks