New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-01-30
MUSIC.
The Philharmonic Society.

interest in the concerts of the Philharmonic So
ciety thus far this season has been centred in the
hchleVements of the conductors as conductors
ther skill In the art Of leadership their conceptions
toucning the essential contents of the music on
'her hsts and their success in making the band
give vital expression TO those conceptions At the
NTH public rehearsal which took place yesterday
oI'en TINS primary interest was diverted from the
conductor In that capacity TO the conductor as
composer and TO the solo performer The rule viii
apply In part again at the next public rehearsal and
concert which are TO be conducted by Felix weln-
gartner and still again the final brace of enter
talnments. which are TO be enlivened by the par
uclpation OF Richard Strauss Only at the seventh
public rehearsal and concert at the head of which
Will stand the Russian Safonow. will the public be
asked to study the merits of interpreter pure
and simple of the creations Of others
The conductor yesterday was Mr. Victor Herbert,
long familiar figure in concert rooms and
theatres Besides other things (Schubert's unhn-
ished symphony and Dvorak's Carnival" overture
TO be specihc) he brought forward a symphonic
poem entitled Hero and Leander." which had
had a previous hearing In New York at a con-
cert Of the Pittsburg Symphony Orchestra three
years ago. The solo performer was a new = er
MT Risenauer. pianist who has long enjoyed
a large and enviabe reputation in Europe. not only
as List specialist dn which capacity he elected
10 present himself yesterday. but also 'all
round" virtuoso. Under the circumstances COM
poser and virtuoso claim all Of the particular at
tsntion that seems called for with anything like
impera tiveness. Mr.. Herbert's symphonic poem,
which had a really lmpassioned Interpretation and
benefited from the elemental torcefulness and tonal
weight of the Philharmonic band. left an impress
sion very much like that attendant its first
performance. It's principal ideas are sgnih-
cant appropriate to the subject plastic and
admirably worked ont: their decorative color
vivid and alluring.. They tell the old story elo-
o"N0flV hut the eVterrals seem TO have exerted
somewhat too strong fascination upon the mind OF
tie co'iPose' lie IS TOO oa h TO get away from the
merely descriptive portion at the beginning. a
singular circumstance in view OF his temperance
when II comes TO the storm scene. In which the
poetleal concelt OF the piece reaches It's climax.
Here he holds a tight rein upon his fancy and
manages to keep the lovers and their passion be-
fore the minds OF his listeners instead OF engufng
them in q swirl OF description. But the composition
IS full Of emotional well beauty. and
certainly stands the head OF the highly praise
worthy list OF Instrumental pieces which he has
composed.
Mr.. Reisenauer PLAYED Liszt's concerto IN
major. and. after IT, since the enthusiasm OF the
public ian afternoon Philharmonic audience. let it
be noted) required something more 10 quiet 1t.
LISTS transcription OF Chopin's Polish song The
Maidens WISH" We shall hope to hear different
order OF music from him at his recitals. and derive
a higher pleasure from It. He Is surely elected TO
stand before the American people exemplar
Of the best that the literature OF the pianoforte
contains He is a techncian par excellence. but
something vastly greater and better. a pianist Of
the large. musicianly. serious school He put dig
nifty and breadth even into the meretricious adorn-
ments OF the Chant Polonals: he spoke like
prophet in all the portions OF the concerto which
would admit OF such proclamation. He won an
unusual triumph, and he deserved II; and he shall
be thrice welcome when he returns 10 the local
concert platform 10 discourse in the language OF
Bach. Beethoven. schumann and Brahms-if he
will.