New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-10-16
MUSIC.
THE NEW SYMPHONY HALL IN BOSTON.
OBLIGATORY EXERCISES LAST NIGHT-AN
INTERESTING EXPERIMENT-BEETHO-
VEINS MASS IN D PERFORMED.
10y TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIEuNE.l

- the enterprise Of Mr. Henry L. Higginson and
his associates. It became joyous over the new
hall when first il saw it. 1t applauded Mr. Hig-
einson when he arose TO make few informal
remarks. and almost broke into cheers at the
suggestion Of one individual whose enthusiasm
made him forget Boston decorum- It listened
With patience to a too long poem read as pro-
ioetle by Mr.. Owen Wister. which not
hard 10 do. considering the number Of excellent
thoughts excellently expressed in it, despite the
disadvantages under which il was delivered. as
II vas TO forgive the unnecessary remarks which
prefaced il. remarks that were not only unneees-
sary. but prosy.
And then Boston heard with evident enjoy
ment what was in many respects the most
successful performance Of Beethoven's solemn
Mass in D that has ever been given in America.
I am almost able TO speak on the point with
absolute certainty, FOR ! have heard at least
half OF the performances. The work is one
which offers such stupendous difficulties to the
performing forces that it has remained sealed
book 10 the overw helming mass Of music lovers
The world over.
Berlin heard 1t first in 1857. after Professor
Stern had studied il four years with his famous
Gesangverein The records show that 1t was
given by the Church Music Association in Stein
way Hall. York, on May >, 1872 but do
not ike 10 dwell in speculation on what that
performance may have been. knowing some
thing Of the accomplishments Of the old society.
still as history is made. this must be put down
as the first American performance Of the i'm
mortal work In May. 1880. il had two perform
ances at the fourth Cincinnati festival; IL May,
1850 II was given also under the direction OF
Theodore Thomas, the Cincinnati perform
ances had been, at the festival in the 9TH Regi-
1nent Armory. Network. In 1897 the Cecilia
of Boston. the choir which, with some additions,
+t-., ,C7a--- Ifra0t f0F
IF Mr. B. } Lang and in 1898 it was again
given at e Cincinnati festival This is the Cis-
Atlantic record Of the work. and brief as 1t is,
if IS not without its memorable tribute to the
seriousness of American musical culture
To-night's performance was highly creditable
- the Cecilia singers, who strove valantly
against its cruel difficulties and were buoyed up
nv an orchestral accompaniment that was genu-
inelv brilliant Especially was this the case in
the "Benedictus," in which the composers mar
veIlous ascription Of praise scared close TO the
Gates Of heaven on the wings Of the violin solo
rlaved BY Mr.. Kneisel. The solo parts were
IN the hands Of Nine. Clementine De We're
Miss Gertrude May Stein. Evan Williams and
Joseph Baernstein. more capable quartet
for the trying task could not have been brought
together Unhappily Mr.. Williams wrenched
his ankle dismounting from a streetcar in front
Of the hall and suffered g pain that showed
itself in drawn and palIid features Under the
circumstances his work creditable, but not
the equal OF that done by his colleagues. Nine.
De vere's work was as fine an exhibition of
singing in the exalted style demanded by this
r,uei- as I have ever heard. The exercises
which preceded the mass would have been brief
had not Mr. wisters ode occupied so much
tine a 70 try the patience of the audience /
Choir orchestra and organ performed a choral
by Bach and Mr.. Henry l. Higginson made an
address, at the end Of which he introduced MI |
Nister. the poet OF the occasion.
Mr. Higginson's report was a modest, mat |
ter Of fact sort Of statement, without any at
tempt at oratoricaI adornment- The directors |
# this building have allowed me the honor and /
pleasure of welcoming you 10 your new music |
han" ne said, and they ask you 10 call 1t
henceforth Symphony Hall"
He then outlined the history Of the movement
Of building the hall deplored the fact that it |
had been found iu1practicable to include a
smaller hall for chamber concerts, lectures. |
etc within the walls; complimented the archi- |
tect, builder and others concerned in the con- |
Etruction and made this statement touching the
financial affairs Of the Music Hall Association:
Our capital is 100000 Of which S4lO1O has |
been subscribed, and as this sum was 1ar 100 /
small the directors have borrowed the remain /
ing cost which is about S3oOOOU, making the /
total cost $4,000 They mOrtgaged the nan /
with reluctance. but had no olher couiSe Dc
the money was essential The building mas !
been leased by the directors for ten years 10
ne who am TO meet costs Of administration 4
taxes and all charges and TO pay 10 the STOCK
holders the rest Of the receipts
Among other things he also said:
Il had long been clear that our home Of /
music IN Boston must be moved, for the oId
Ausic Hall was faulty in ventilation ii CON !
venience. IN lack Of a good organ. and 10
certain degree in acoustics AROUND the oiu |
hall from the opening night on November ~, |
lhJ2. hang the happy memories OF nity Years
tTiurnphs-the concerts OF the Musical Fund
Society. the Handel and Haydn. the Ger
manians the Harvard Musical Society the
apollo, the CecIlia-of SonLsg, AIDanl -, al
Ecke-t Bergman Thomas Zerrahn, Thalberg'
Rubinsteln. Won Bulow. Wieniawsh, Ole Bun
sarasate Paderewski. Patti, Nilsson, SeInDrIcH
Lehman, Te-tina and countless artIslsL sd
great organ recitals as well as echoes OF nopIe
sermons and church services. OF lectures u
great public meetings Nor can any one IOrset /
The men who from public spirit built the oLo
4al- with gentleman al their neao, WIoSS /
life and means without stint were devoted 10 /
art-Mr. Charles c. Perkins. The ola Mus4c
f1aA had become a great temple Tor our cl'3s |
Naleh had made many generations hapPE SIt n
which II sad 10 leave, but the long IeII |
heed Of change, Quickened in 1873 by the sup 1
posed certainty Of a street through the nan
moved you 10 offer your money freely curing /
period of financial distress and thus 10 give 1
. the city this home. To me II was d
vital moment, for without II tie life or the or
chestra would have ceased. and l have never |
se4a now deeply your sympathy and generosity
touched ne II is all as IL should be- Certain /
elazens q Boston build a hall without re-
ssru % return in money. and by tins acI care
~ NE happiness, the convenience, the educa.,
l15n q the inhabitants for twenty miles around /
ms spot and il is fitting in a republic that the /
-tt|zels auo not the Government IN any FORM
ST-SAo 90 such work and bear such burdens 1
- re more fortunate people OF our lana pc
1Ags the privilege OF providing the higher |
0-SAenes OF education and OF art