New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1902-11-15
MUSIC.
THE FIRST PHILHARMONIC CONCERT


Much might be written about the first public re-
hearsal of the Philharmonic Society for this sea-
son, which took place in Carnegie Hall yesterday
afternoon preparatory TO the concert which IS set
down for tonight The society occupies an aholl-
alOus position among local purveyors OF artistic en-
tertanment. In spite of all vicissitudes, in tatr
fnanal weather and in foul, il has given series
of concerts annually for sixty years never waVer-
ing in it's devotion 10 high ideals never yledlhs 10
fleeing folies of fashion, the caprices OF the
crOtchety the whimseys of the quixotc, never
Sinking the sacrifices which a sense or DUTY low
ard a seIf-imposed mission has involved Yet be-
cause it is venerable; because IL stands eonsPcu-
OusIv for high class music: because It manages
It's affairs through committee OF us own
members instead of placing them IN the hanuS
of a dictator; because IL elects its conductor
as such a democratic and communlsuc or
ganization must; because it refuses to lose
it's equanimity over the shrieks of historical wan-
en-, who can only admire music as they conceive u
TO be embodied in individual-cOnfoundlnS
hero worship with art appreciation-because OF
these and other things the cautiously critical seem
to think that all manner OF extraordinary and i'm
pertinent standards of Judgment are permissloie
in discussing it's affairs. Fantastic notions Oh d
so-caIled permanent orchestra fit through the
minds of few persons who wish another psoestai
for their hero. and at once the Philharmonic so
ciety is treated If it had nothing TO commend VI
in achievement and only sentimental merit IN MS
tory. Conductors lose their heads IN contempla-
stantial an idle dream; incontinently they forget
their duty toward their fellow artists and the art
itself. Thus Seidl; thus Paur. The project when
alured the former melted into air as soon as ne
died. yet the need which ostensiby prompted IL was
no less after his death than before The selhsh
ambition of the latter removed him from field of
lofty usefulness and left him an idler among men
till he received call 70 conduct a single concert
in London.
Much might be written because of these things
al ext
could be written in honor and candor would re-
dOund to the credit of the Philharmonic society
and it's conductor. The band showed no signs OF
decrepitude. On the contrary it seemed more SUI
perb in it's pussant vigor than ever. Again It's
patrons had the privilege of hearing and admlring
that stupendous volume of string tone which makes
an appeal as direct and elemental as WIND anu
waves and sunshine A strength that Is UNIQUE
among orchestras has always resided here Inc
defects in constitution of the band are IN the
wind choirs They have existed for years. but have
become more and more noticeable Of late because
of the extraordinary merit OF the Boston sym
phony Orchestra in this department Ihey were
found still to exist yesterday, but IN lesser us-
gree than last season. Changes have been MADE III
the body of players. and they have proved to be
beneficial Evidently, too. greater care has been
taken to bring the wood-wind and brass into &C
cord and keep them So Greater homOgenelty'
more business Of intonation, better balance are
still to be attained, but the improve
meut noticeable yesterday marked. and
for this Mr.. Damrosch. the new conductor
and the band deserve gratitude and graduation. AS
for the spirit displayed by the band, II was most
admirable. The players were keenly alive to their
duties prompt in obedience TO the conductors
signs attentive, plastic. enthusiastic. A more
sonorous and thrilling proclamation mas seldom
been heard in New-York than was made IN Isehal-
kowsky's minor symphony and the finale OF
Wagner's 'sWaIkure-" Both pieces were splendidly
read by Mr. Damrosch. without extravaganza, out
with manly directness. with power and lucialty'
The symphony doomed up mountainwise and MADE
one wonder why it should be so neglected IN IaVor
Of it's companion. the "Pathetiaue'' which came
after it. is of its bone and flesh OF its hesh'
but lacks it's breadth. consistency and unity as
whole.
Mr. Damrosch signalized his advent as con-
duStOr OF the society, at whose head MS tatheE
stood tor one season little more than two dec
AIDES ago. by bringing forward a work py a com
poser 10 fortune and fame unknown Up 10 ths
present time. He Is Don Roffredo Caetani' second
son of the Duke of SermOneta. who Is the present
head of the Roman house OF CaetanL Don hOl-
fredo has studied with Sgambat. the hAest OF
ItaIy's musicians not given up TO the composition
OF operas and has drunk at the Wagnerian pos-
siblv also Humperdinckian1 fountain al bayfsuth'
The symphonic Prelude. which was played yester-
day is not an impressive achievement II Is
monotoneus in feeling with but one orler Depart
IRE from the poignancy Of sorrow that Is douhly
oppressive because of the iteration and FeteFatOh
of theme without variety OF expression Wnich
marks the work Its mood aims TO De iortS' IKE
that Of the ParsifaI'' prelude. and there is much
striving for pelyphony, but 1t lacks organic unity
II Is with all its burden of solemnity, htful and
fragmentaFy, coming to an end over ana over
again and resuming it's sway as II there haa peeh
q return to the beginning. There is no develop
msnt. no climax in the music. The audience re-
ceived il impassively.
The solo performer at the concert was Mr. Van
Reoy who returns for his duties at the opera Win
his noble voice refreshed and his art and earnest
ness unimpaired He sang the aria. IAN Jenem
Tag" from MaFschner's Hans Heiing," and
Wotan's farewell from die Walktre" The latter
was mighty performance. mighty in sorority, in
eIoquence. in pathetic expression, and beautiful in
nil