New-York tribune., 1908-03-22
MUSIC.
DR.. MUck's FAREWELL.

Il was with Beethoven that DR.. Karl Muck began
here, two ago, his ministrations es con-
ductor OF the Boston Symphony Orchestra, and
with Beethoven. again. he elected to make his
farewell yesterday afternoons final concert Of
the winters New York series of the Boston organ
ization. Other orchestral leaders have done like
wise in this city's musical experience, and since
Beethoven is various enough to provide character
istic modes of expression for nearly any tempera-
nent likely to be found n serious musicians. the
choice is easily understood. Dr. Mucks selection
of the joyous fourth symphony yesterday was alto
gether felcitous. not only bringing TO happy
elimination programme beginning with Haydn s
Surprise symphony and the overture to Mozart S
Marriage Of Figaro but in more personal
sense. fitting sngularly well his artistic
makeup So far as his deeply interesting activities
have revealed DR.. M,ck's musical individuality to
New York concert audiences. his natural utterance
leans rather toward what is poised and balanced
and restrained than toward he broadly heroic
style. There have been evidences in plenty Of his
readiness TO give reasonable rein to the heroic
elements in music both old and new, but 1t Is
scarcely by his Interpretation Of grandiose emo
tional communications that Dr.. Muck viii be re-
nembered here Rather will grateful lovers OF
musical recall such spirited and brilliant
achievements his recent performance Of Max
Rogers variations and fugue, or 10 look fur1her
and higher. Dr. Muck's memorable and uplifting
presentation of the Brahms symphony in c minor
at the outset of his New York doings. This latter
proclamation. indeed. could not be easily forgotten
by any sensitive hearer who had the good fortune
to share in its enjoyment. And there might oe
many other occasions cited here wherein general
delight was taken al the time. due largely 10 the
sane, apprecatve and penetrating n1usicianshp OF
this Berlin conductor. and TO his unfaiing De
termination 10 find and disclose the essential beauty
and meaning OF what he played
In accepting the leadership of the Boston SYM
phony Orchestra. Dr.. Muck acquired command OF
noble instrument of artistic expression 1t Is
part Of his years record in America tnat he
has used this instrument with rare skill ana Keen
sympathy in furtherancc Of high ideals He leaves
it. moreover. in sJperlative state of ehclency
s when he took II up Listening yesterday 10 the
clean-cut precision. the delicate nuancing and the
fine rnuscularity Of this orchestra, which is force
full but never ponderous, one may well oeneVe
that DR.. Muck relinquishes with regret his priv
iIeged post its leader. even to return 10 his
eristocratic Berlin dutis--
Some notion OF the regard in which conductor
and orchestra are held in this city was gwen oy
the size and attitude Of yester5 ly's audience.
Though there nc singer or pianist 10 be heard
alone, and though the programme contained only
the three classic compositions already mentioned
all Of them familiar for longer, probably, than any
Of yesterdays hearers could remember, Carnegie
Hall was thronged with eager listeners, and al the
end there sincere and hearty recalls for the
departing musician. Dr. Muck's memory Of Amer
lean appreciation Of his work will be based on
substantial and gratifying evidence