New-York tribune., 1907-12-08
MUSIC.
TWO SYMPHONIC CONCERTS.

TWO SYMPHONIC CONCERTS.
Rubinsteins piano concerto is often called
upon stand the nearest representative Of the
musical classics, but it occupied that position yes
terday in the scheme prepared by Dr. Muck for
the Boston Symphony Orchestra's matinee. Not
only in seniority but In it's devotion to older ideals
did the familiar Rubinstein piece live up
designed for it by the programme maker. for the
three other composers drawn upon were using
the richer musical vocabulary of to-day without
having any very considerable ideas to disclose
Herewith. Chabrier. indeed, whose well known
rhapsody, "Espana." had already had hearing this
season before its performance yesterday by the
Boston was not only a master OF orches-
trail color but composer OF distinctive char
acter and expression. But both Ernest BOehe
in his tone poem, ''Taormna. and Emil Won Rezni
eek. In the adagfo and scherZo from his E minor
suite. gave evidence not only of belonging to the
post-Wagner school, but OF having been haunted
too insstent1y by memories Of 'Parsifal' and
Tristan respectively Putting aside for the mo-
ment. however. this trio OF modern compositions. 1t
doubtless the excellent Rub.nstein concerto
much the fact that Mr.. Paderewsh was TO
play it that helped to swell the audience to num-
ber beyond the seating capacity of Carnegie Hail.
The Polish pianist has been heard here when he
gave deeper and general pleasure than he did
yesterday, but he received the ovations with which
his public appearances are always accompanied,
and the demonstrations continued until he added
as en- extra piece the Chopin berceuse- The con-
trast between his playing in the concerto and in the
solo number illustrated once again why his audi
ences would in general prefer hear Mr.. Paderew
ski in recital rather than with orchestra The nlu-
sician's rare personality shone through every
bar of the tender little Chopin cradle song while
in the concerts, the slow movement the only one
that did not seem rather reluctant medium for
the Transmission Of Mr. Paderewski's best powers.
Here. truly. there refined and lovely color,
vitalized and attuned to expressive beauty, to
which both composer and pianist contributed. But /
in the first movement there was forcing Of the
tone, and in the final allegro of the melodic
contours were Of perhaps too sharp outline
There were not lacking. OF course the pianist's
unfailing distinction and brilliancy of style. his
bold and vigorous climaxee and the other admira-
BILE qualities Of his playing, which too familiar
to be dwell upon. DR.. Muck and the orchestra |
provided a most artistic accompaniment for the /
RubnSten work.
The Boehe tone poem and the symphonic suite by /
Won Reznicek were both this city Ernest /
Boehe is young Munich composer, and his ''Taor !
NINA" with its sumptuous scoring and subdued I
Ginning of deep voiced bells be taken as the re
1ex upon q Northern temperament of the clear deep
skies and smiling shores Of Sicily German art !
for four hundred years past has intermittently
freshed and cIaried itself through the pilgrimages
of its creative workers to the Mediterranean, and
the stimulus lost little Of its potency to-day
In Boehe's il has helped To produce tone /
poem full of lovely color and not devoid Of orig
nality, Notwithstanding the "Parsifal re1ninis- .
CCnces before mentioned and the overWOrk1nS OF {
certain rhythmic figures The composer ought 20 be
heard from again. this tone poem IS only his |
opus 9, and his years have not yet reached thirty
Won Reznceks adagio and scherzo were written /
twenty years ago, when that composer was even 1
younger than Boehe. but they hint plainly at the /
clarity thought and skill of treatment noted by
Continental critics in his later opera, Donna
DIANA and in his several large orchestral works
The Boston orchestras presentation OF this modern
music was all that could be asked
The New York Symphony Society has rarely
given its audiences tuster cause for enthusiasm
than II did last night, when. under Walter Dam
roscf's direction. this orchestra played Schuberts
c major symphony before q fine gathering Of music
lovers at Carnegie Hall. Thanks 10 It's daily meet
ings rehearsal, well 10 the inherent qJiai-
ity of it's musical material, this organization has
grown steadily in elasticity and purity Of tone and
in unanimity OF playing The flowing melodies of
schubert's score were set forth last evening with
the ease and mastery that come only from (
n technical proficiency sure that il leaves
conductor and free think of the musics
spirit well of its details.
There was heed for the larger aspects OF this
noble symphonic monument on Mr. Damrosch's
part and a quick sympathy between the leader
and his forces. Deicacy OF touch. crispness not
degenerating into Earshness sorority that was still
musical no matter what its degree and a nice
balance between melody and subordinate voices-all
these exceHences. and more besides, must bo put
to the orchestra's credit. They counted TO the
full the symphony and in the other numbers on
the list which Hugo Wclf's romantic 'Ital-
ian Sercndde' ana 1SchalkOWShy 5 moving ana
pictorial overture fantasia based on Romeo and
Juliet"
The soloist Josef Hofnann, and he brought
forward pianoforte concerto TO this city.
by Liapunouw. and also three familiar display
pieces By Liszt. for piano alone. the Funerailles
Borelei' and 'Gnomenreigen." The composer OF
the concerto is a living member OF the Neo-Rus-
sian group, and. like some OF his colleagues, he
shows more aptness orchestration than in
ihematic invention or development There are
value but they are heavily freighted with
significance. and Liapunouw has depended more
Tor his effects their -eiteration than upon any
true working out OF their musical substance. The
concerto is in one movement OF moderate length,
and offers chances for the pianist to utilize ad-
yantageously Il singing tone well feetness
# finger Mr. Hofmann made it effective
he composer the audience could have reason
ably demanded, and his performance, which
sane energetic and well poised, warmly ap-
lIaude0.