New-York tribune., 1909-11-05
MUSIC
THE NEW PHILHARMONIC OR
CHESTRA.


CHESTRA.
ihe Philharmonic Society OF New York
oesan Its sixty-eighth annual series OF
concerts IN Carnegie Hall, last night II
is Wen 10 keep that fact in mind when
there Is SO much as was disclosed on this
occasion. 10 suggest thoughts OF the pass
ing OF old things and the coming OF new
IL was 70 large extent a new orchestra
"hich occupied the platform; there was a
CONDUCTOR who was all but new 10 local
concert rooms; the first evidences OF a
ne" system OF administration were pre-
sehted for observation. and In the
music and It's performance there were
s'shs OF new spirit But there
were old things also 10 he seen, and
s"ine OF them were as gratifying as they
were venerable. IN the splendid audience
.-ere were new faces. and II was noticeable
u'at "here they We're most numerous the
@ppiause was most vociferous and least dis
erifninating; so that II was made plain 10
Neterah Observers OF musical affairs that
the change had not wholly DESTROYED the
oio spirit OF wise conservatism and good
tsste which has distinguished the PhiIhar-
monte concerts for two generations, and
held for them the respect that, amidst
manded by the most digniied musical or
ganization in the United States. The old
elernent was not chary in expressing it's ap-
proval Of the good things wrought by the
change; and this, too. was gratifying, for
IT. II iay a guarantee that the new order
Is 10 receive cordial and ungrudging support
from all the old friends OF the institution.
Ihere were many features OF the concerts
winch demand consideration and they
cannot all be disposed OF in a review OF
the first meeting II would. moreover. be
uhWlse and unjust 10 attempt TO pronounce
upon them all An orchestra composed OF
masters and led by genius OF the highest
order would not produce perfect results in
the short time which has been given TO
THIS reorganization. Even masters must
nave time 70 find their footing and estab-
hsh the reciprocal relations which are es-
sential 20 perfection Geniuses in the art
OF conducting must be permitted 10 have
their principles OF Interpretation and their
canons OF taste become familiar before they
are condemned unduly or praised with en-
thusiasm. II is therefore best In a first
review 10 withhold Judgment on things
which are not concrete and obvious, and
20 state facts which fell under the observa-
tion Of all who were capable Of observa-
ton
The new conductor is Mr. Mailer. ana
his energies have largely been devoted thus
far 10 the organization OF the instrument
tai body. There has been no diminu-
ton Of the Philharmonic forces. but there
has been a radical chang. IN their compo-
elton Tbs list indicated that there are
ninety-tvo men IN the orchestra, but there
has been a curtailment OF the contra-basses
whose fne muscularity has always
been delight. have seen some
changes. and over them has been placed
new concert master in the person OF
theodore spiering formerly a Chicago mu-
sician. but who has lived OF late years In
Germany. The wOOd-winds are mostly new
recruits and in this department the i'm
provement is most marked. The flute. are
the weakest element. The brass choir has
been strengthened. and the one feature of
last nights performance which shone with
a refulgence which Il would be difficult TO
find parallel was Mr.. Xaver Refers play
ing Of the horn solo In Liszt's "Mazeppa";
II almost redeemed that strange combina-
tion OF a bOmbastic. inflated and empty
pianoforte etude and Transcribed Cossack
march.
The programme was scarcely as lofty in
character as~the occasion might have JUST
fed II opened with BeethOven's overture
''Zur Weihe des Hauses''-'Consecration OF
the House" as the English title goes. II
is a striking illustration OF what music
written for an occasion too frequently IS
and its choice by MI Mailer can, perhaps.
be best explained by its title. But Carnegie
Hall needs renovation more than II does
conservation. Its dingy walls have echoed
10 enough good music in the past to keep
them forever In the odor OF sanctity After
the overture came the Heroic" symphony
OF the same composer. with which Mr..
Mailer invited attention TO MS reading
not revolutionary at all in the matter OF
tempt. but with features OF phrasing cal
culated 10 provoke discussion. especially
IN the funeral march. In one climax
OF which there were suggestions OF
the crack o, doom and an agonized
hymning OF the Day OF Wrath There
were some listeners doubtless. also who
wished that a more jocund spirit had in
spired the Trio Portions OF the Finale
were taken al a speed which carried the
viOIins Of their feet: but there was not a
measure from beginning TO end which was
not s-tingle with vitality.
Mendelssonn once remarked that il was
singular that Jenny Lind. whom he ad-
mired beyond measure, always sang bad
music best. The thought came up in the
second part OF the programme. where su-
perD b-illisncy (and also an occasional out
burst Of sound that threatened the ear
drums Of the nstenersl marked the per-
formance OF Richard Strauss Till Eulen-
spiegel" and the symphonic poem by Liszt.
The pieces lOosened a storm OF enthusiasm
and Mr.. Mailer was made 20 feel that
his first battle had ended IN victory.
II. Z X.