New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1909-04-07
MUSIC
MR.. MAHLER's LAST CONCERT.

The second and also the last OF the extra con-
certs by the Philharmonic Society, under the direc
ton of Mr.. Gustav Mailer. took place in Carnegie
Hall last night. Before discussing its features
contribution TO its history may be made, because
it has been requested by of the ladies who was
largely instrumental in bringing the concert about
and also the reorganization of the Philharmonic
Society, of which the two concerts which Mr.
Mah1er has conducted have been the harbingers
The statement Is TO The Tribune ostensibIy to
correct statement which appeared in this journal
last Monday but which is not materially affected
by it. Mr.. Mailer. II is stated. signed contract
last April for two concerts which he intended to
give last fall After the of the had
been agreed upon and all preliminary arrange
ments made ii was discovered that the Symphony
Society had a prior claim upon his services
morally If not legally" Thereupon change
made. and two spring concerts were arranged at
which the seventh and ninth symphonies were to
be given without a thought or desire provoke
comparison between Mr.. Mahler's reading OF the
works and that of any other conductor These
concerts have been given. Also. Mr. Mah1er
conducted three fall concerts of the Symphony So
ciety, the Philharmonic Society. under Mr.. Safon-
off, played the seventh symphony, and the Sym
phony Society. having announced its intention
that effect long before. performed the ninth twice
in single evening.
So much for the question of history which ma
be considered disposed of, least for the present
1t need have bearing upon last nights concert
which devoted to the choral symphony TO
which the "Egmont'' overture made TO serve
introduction. There was enough OF interest
in the performance of the symphony to make COM
PARSONS unnecessary, instructive they might be
technical students. For their information II
may briefly be said that Mr.. Mailer made free
with the text of the symphony modern con-
ductors are in the habit of doing and thereby
achieved effects both good and bad might be
set forth by a technical study OF them. Obviously
his purpose, like that Of his predecessors who have
done similar things, to make more definite
and certain (as the lawyers say) the thoughts Of
the composer. who is supposed for several reasons
to have been able express himself clearly
he ought might. With many of them there
is no inclination quarrel With one 1t would be
a waste Of time. Those who think that Beethoven
they last night by the kettledrum player
must have been delighted by the bombardment to
which they subjected others must have felt
outraged. Traditions extending over two genera
tons have not prepared New York's lovers Of the
symphony for such a reading.
For the rest the performance was extremely
stirring and. in portions. delightfully."- uplifting
especially in the Trio Of the Scherzo lin which the
drums are SILENT and the solo parts of the finale.
which were sung with beautiful lucidity and ex-
pressveness by Mrs. Rider-Kesey, Miss Janet
Spencer. Mr. Daniel Beddoe and Mr.. Herbert
Watrous The Bach Choir. Of Montclair, also
placed an effective performance to its credit, and
an audience. superb in numbers and character. ap-
pIauded Mr.. MahIx and his performers to the
echo. n T. r.