New-York tribune., 1908-03-02
MUSIC.
A CONCERT OF sEETHovEN's MUSIC.

In Carnegie Han yesterday afternoon Mr.. Walter
Damrosch and the orchestra OF the New York
Symphony Society gave the first of series of six
chronological concerts of Beethovens music. Be
ginning with the first symphony. it Is Mr.. Dam
rosch's plan to play the nine symphonies OF the
| master symphonist, and to add other compositions
both vocal and instrumental. which stand In close
chronological relationship to them. Thus yester-
days programme comprised the first and second
symphonies, with which were associated the scena
"Ah. perf1do,' the song Der Wachtelschlas, and
two movements from the Trio in c for two oboes
and English horn. Op. 81. This last, the most
unfamiliar number in the list, was played by
Messrs- Addimando. La bate and Tabuteau WIN
exquisite perfection that it marked the climax
OF afternoons delights. notwithstanding that
there scarcely moment from the beginning
to the end OF the entertainment in which the hearts
OF the audience not warmed. This audience
was not the least remarkable feature of the occa-
sion 1t filed the great room-boxes, stalls oalcony
and gallery seatsa surprising gathering larger oy
than that IN attendance any of the previous
concerts of the society this season, and plainly
filed with a spirit Of lovely devotion. Nine
Jome sang the and the song in place or
Nine. Nordca to whom the gracious task had
first been assigned and acquitted herself most ad-
mrably, disclosing much more refined artistic
sense and much beauty of voice than she
has displayed thus far in her operate perform
More intensity OF dramatic expression would
have added to the effectiveness Of the scena, espe-
cially the recitative, but there was so much to
style in the air that disposition TO caVh was
shortlived, II it made itself felt at all The Ger
man song was given with orchestral arrange
ment of the accompaniment made by Dr. Leopold
Damrosch Artistic propriety and consistency would
better served had the original planoforte
accompaniment beer used The song is not one OF
striking beauty, and the bit of descriptive redHohi
in the third stanza-a suggestion of wars aarums-
Is decidedly OF place in setting OF Such IN
genuous poetry. The pretty melody in the spirit
of folksong by Herring TO which the words are
sung in Germany is more effective
There has always been so much talk OF monotony
style and feeling whenever a panoforte Vireuoso
of a single composer that Mr.. Damrosch's project
OF filing six Sunday afternoons with the music OF
Beethoven seemed venturesOme, If not rasn Inc
in which the public has responded 10 MS
appeal the midst of a season marked as no
preceding season in New York was ever marked
by sensa tionalisn is therefore peculiarly gratfy
ing II seems indicate a protest against the
prevailing alteration OF good taste and willing
ness to listen what is and beautiful and
good in music with grateful heart and open mind
The avowed educational purpose OF the concerts
has acted like an attractive. not repelling force
The sunny beauties Of the symphonies which are
generally treated beneath the dignity of modern
orchestral concerts, bore their messages home
to the ears the fancy and the feelings OF
the listeners yesterday Mr. Damrosch en-
ioined silence and attention by having his trurn-
pets trombones and ketJledrums play fanfare
constructed out of the impressive largo motive OF
the D minor pianoforte sonata before the begin
ming Of the first symphony. IL h h