New-York tribune., 1909-12-09
MUSIC
THE PHILHARMONIC SOCIETY.

There was as much individuality In the
construction of the programme OF the second
concert OF the Philharmonic Society. which
took place I'm Carnegie Hall last night. as
there was I'm the Interpretation of the
music. II Is plain that the idea Of a series
Of historical concerts as " exists in the
mind of Mr.. Mailer has little or nothing 20
do with a progressive demonstration OF the
phases which music has passed through
from the beginning OF the modern instru-
mental art till now. Last nights pro-
sTamme began with Mozart's symphony i'm
{, the so-called Jupiter" the crowning
achievement OF the eighteenth century. and
ended with Beethoven's fifth. the great 9
minor. which might be set down without
giving offence 10 very many learned lovers
OF music as the crowning achievement in
instrumental music of the nineteenth II
Will be seen that in one respect at least
Mr.. Mailer walks with seven-leagued boots.
But between these numbers he introduced
two airs one after the other and without
Observation-Disclosures ION mighty pens"
from The Creation" and Och vieni non
tardar" from Mozarts 'Nozze di Figaro"
II was a singular example of programme
making. but there was too much to hold
interest in the performance TO invite at
tenion TO that fact The Beethoven SYM
phony will be played again. and possibly
again and again before the end of the sea-
son, and therefore may be omitted from
consideration now, since there is so much
else in last nights offerings 20 be written
about.
NO survey OF the symphonic field would
have been complete without the inclusion
of Mozarts Jupiter" and last nights
performance was doubly interesting as
showing at once Mr.. Mahler's attitude
toward IL and the tremendous strides which
the orchestra is making as a medium in
the expression Of his ideas. AS IN the
finale Of Brahms's third symphony. so in
the finale Of Mozart's last, there was
wonderful illustration of the complete rap
port which now exists between Mr.. Mailer
and his musicians. In the earlier move
ments there were opportunities 10 oues-
tion whether The players. especially thoss
OF the string band. We're in complete agree
ment with the conductor in his notion Of
the melodic contours. Mr. Mahlers line
of beauty is not always a line of graceful
curves. Frequently he seems so dom
mated by his strong prediction for in
cisiveness in rhythm that he becomes a bit
angular. a bit three-cornered. as one
might say. This was most noticeable in
the first movement. But there was not a
moment in the work which did not pulsate
with joyous and inspiriting life. and the
different choirs Of the orchestra sang to-
gether with exquisite sympathy. under
standing and seeming delight
II was a severe test which the two old
airs placed upon Miss Bella Alten. who
provided the relief between the two SYM
phonies. 1t has not been customary 10 ex-
pect so trying and continuous perform
ance from a singer even at recital of
songs. Tho impression made by the lady's
singing was thoroughly delightful because
of the freshness of her voice ana her in
dubitsble sincerity. In the minds OF stick
lers for style (who. perhaps, feel that they
have q right 10 their opinions in concerts
which profess 10 have an educational char
acter) there We're some questionings, but.
realizing that. like much else that is love-
ly in this world. the Haydn and Mozart
manner is passing away, they were con-
strained to be grateful for the large guam
tum OF beauty which her singing offered.