New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-05-14
MUSIC.
Third Dag of the Cincinnati Nay
FestiUQI.
IBr TELEGRAPH TO THE rRrpuNE.l

IsY TELEGRAPH To THE rRIRUNE.l
cincinnati. May B-As TO what is in store for
the patrons of the music festival the morrow, il
would be neither safe wise TO venture pre-
dlctlon- A difficult task is set for the chorsters
oy the solemn mass and the choral part Of the
ninth symphony by Beethoven. and choristers are
seldom equally good in all things. If the standard
set oy the third concert this evening is maintained
however it viii be my pleasant privilege and duty
10 chronicle the fact that the sixteenth OF these
biennial meetings will be the most successful one
financially and artistically. for than a decade
should the festivals then come To an end. of
Whlcn there is lamentable aDpre hension on the
part or many who know the inside workings the
historian VIII be able TO say that beginning and
ehd We're equally glorious, though. like stars they
o1IeIeu IN their glory A vast popular sensation
was the hrst festival of 1873; noble and dignided
1904
10 1lat record to-nights performance of Cigars
Dream OF GerOntius'' contributed more than did
the performance Of Bach's the opening
night II was possible TO speak in terms OF praise
OF that performance with mental reservations that
were aInicable, If not wholly innocent for as a
matter Of fact, the shortcomings from a critical
point or view were not all due 10 the singers. Mr.
Ihomas's notions about tempt and other things in
Bach music are erratic. singular and their rea-
sons past finding out.
Three efforts has the festival chorus now made
and three times has the chorus gasped and scrar-
bled through the fugue which closes the second
division Of the work It was always so hot a chase
that the singers never had time 70 put tone into
the opening OF the fugaI subject or give Elasticity
or repose TO the Last Wednesday Mr.
Thomas fell into the opposite extreme in the duet
ct in Unum Dominun' and succeeded in ex-
haustng the capacioUs bellows of Nine. Schumanr-
Henk.
No such deInquencies or mischances marred to-
nights performance Of Cigars work II is a mod
ern romantic work. and closer than Bach 10 the
feelings and impulses OF to-day. The few Iapses
from Just intonation OF which the chorus guilty
were generally traceabIe to the manner OF writing.
which left the choral parts without the sufficient
guide and support which the amateur singers
generally rely. For them. however, there more
than compensation in the prevailing excellence OF
the chorus work its fine sorority fresh quality
and inspiring enthusiasm
The orchestra, too. was thrice admirable. and.
knowing the character OF the performances which
the oratorio has received in the East. I have no
especially in the creation Of that atmospheric
mood which is SO essential TO an appreciation OF
the compositions greatness and beauty.
The solos were sung by Miss AiurieI Foster. VIII
lam Green and Watkins Mills The opuIence OF
Miss Fosters voice and her warm temperament.
the distinct enunciatiOn and frequently fine decla-
nation OF Mr.. Green's singing. and the proclaim
ant eoquence Of Ar. AIIs's utterances thrilled the
listeners and left opportunity to cavi-
The programme OF the evening also included
some incidental music 10 'TGrania and Diar1nid"
by Elgar. Strauss's Death and nshguration'
the great scena for soprano from ''F1deIio'' sung
by Miss Nichols and high school exercise
music by BerIioz. the Imperial Hymn written
for festivity the Paris Exposition OF 1855. The
hail was crowded for the first time IN many years
H z. K