New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-04-01
MUSIC
THE SYMPHONY SOCIETY
It's Last Friday Concert and Review
CT the Season.

With a concert in The New Theatre TO-
morrow afternoon. at which the music
which was played yesterday will ne re-
reated, the Symphony Society will conclude
its regular subscription season. The las'
programme is especially attractive begin
ming with two movements OF Wasner's
first land only symphony, and ending WITH
the first production OF a similar kind b,
the arch symphonist. Beethoven. The lux
Imposition was not accidental; that was
easily perceived. Neither was the setting
of the Good Friday SPELL from Wagner's
'Parsifal' as n sequel to the symphonic
music unintentional. Long years ago
twenty three TO be exact-Anton Seidl, whc
had played large part in the history of
the symphony. since 1t fell to his lot 10 re-
construct the score, which had been lost,
from parts which were not wholly perfect
gave hearing TO the work at concert in
Chickering Hall. II was in manuscript
then. and Las only recently been printed
hut Mr.. Seid conceived the happy idea,
which Mr.. Damrosch followed yesterday
Of inviting the audience 10 compare the
creation OF the youthful Wagner Che was
only nineteen years old when he wrote bis
symphony with some music which came
last from his mind. Mr.. Seidl chose the
prelude to "Parsifal." Mr.. Damrosch the
excerpt already mentioned. Interest has
been revived in the symphony by the fact
of Its recent publication. "reminiscences
are In order under the circumstances, and
the following reproduction of what this re-
viewer wrote for this journal when the
symphony was performed nearly quarter
Of century ago may be made. IT is hoped
without the need OF an apology. especially
since the hearing Of yesterday revived the
original Impressions:
Naturally the first question that arose
magnitude written by Wagner in juXtapo-
sluon with the prelude to 'ParsifdP was:
does 1t exhibit any germs OF the origna!
genius which Is stamped so broadly on
every page Of the composers swan sons?
The symphony was written when Wagner
was Yet under the binding influence OF the
classics; the prelude when he was law
unto himself. In the former Wagner S
creative talent worked within the TIME
honored forms Of composition; In the
latter he had completely emancipated him
self from those FORMS yet have no hesi-
tation in saying that the evidences OF
original genius are numerous and unmis-
taxable OF course it Is easy to prophesy
after the fact, but the circumstances make
4 d
say that it was a duty and not an egotisti-
cal sentiment on the part Of Wagner 10
save this symphony 10 the world. 1t shows
how native to the man was the impetuous
energy which char acterizeS the works OF
his prime.
In FORM, in many features Of the treat
ment. in the invention of his themes he
followed Beethoven and Mozart. The evil
dences are so numerous and so fragrant
that no one would attempt to deny them.
one can pick out his mode Is without DIM
Guilty. But his models chosen, wagner
worked with a daring ana ease that must
excite amazement and admiration. .
II a Conservatory student OF to-day were
to produce a movement equal to the hrst
there is no question what the verdict of his
Judges would be. Talent OF the most
promising kind would be conceded to him.
-. His efforts TO give unity and a
ments are original. and he shows a splen-
did knowledge Of thematic treatment.
This symphony proves that Wagner was
a profound musician at nineteen
A profound musician. indeed, and an
honest devotee of old ideals. 1t was a
genuine delight yesterday to note how
frankly the revolutlonist Of later years
hewed to the lines of the masters, whom he
was studying when he had no other ambi-
ton than to he a musician pure and simple.
much greater was the genius manifested
in the creation Of the mature musical
dramatist
Between the music from "Parsifal' and
the first symphony by Beethoven. Josef
Hofmann and the orchestra played Rubin
STEMS Concerto in ID minor So far as
Mr. Hofmann's part went his playing was
Of a piece with everything that he has
done here this season-brilliant and mas
terful, technically. and as full Of poetic
beauty as the music (Which, let It be con-
fessed, though sorrowfully. Is beginning to
show signs of old age) would admit. A
splendid exhibition Of virtuosoship. which
met ample recognition at the hands Of the
audience, and was finely seconded by Mr..
Damrosch and his men.
The season. which will be concluded to-
morrow afternoon, began on October Is,
1910. The orchestra has participated In
many other affairs in the metropolis and
has given concerts besides In other cities
and towns With these performances tho
present notice has nothing 10 do Here we
have only to preserve the record Of the
thirty-two concerts which have been given
on Friday and Sunday afternoons in The
New Theatre. The season has been notable
for seriousness Of purpose and for excel
lence Of achievement. in spite OF the draw
back Of n room which under certain atmos-
pheric conditions has been disappointing.
Mr. Damrosch has introduced some excel
lent new music and without parade Of
sensational purpose has carried out some
extremely interesting experiments from an
to- 10 IL hoe halp nod
the French school OF to-day 10 honor and
paid a tribute, handsome II not large. 10
the composers OF Great Britain and Amer
lea. Following Is a list Of the works
which he has produced In the course OF
the season:
each-Rrandenburg Concerto No /, David
Names.
Symphony No. I.
Beethoven symphony No. 3 r'EroicaD.
Symphony No. D.
Beethocen-OVerture to "Egmont
Beethoven-C Concerto for violin. Kathleen
Reethoven-sons. AN die Honnung.' Hora-
Rrahms-C Concerto for violin, Felix Barber.
Miss Parlow.
B Brshms-s Symphony No in z minor
cha "Marche Joyeuse."
Chnusson--Symphony in u fiat.
Chausson -"Pofme." for violin and orches-
chestra new. Alexandra Saslavsky.
D'Albert-Concerto for violoncello. Sara
Gurowitsch.
Dehussy-"Rondes de Printemps" new.
Debussy-"L Apres-midi dun Faune."
Delius-"Brigg Fair" new.
Debussy-Three ballads by Villon new,
Charles W. Clark.
D'Indy-Lied for violoncelo, Paul kefer
Dukas-S symphony In G new
Dyorak-"In the Spinning Room.
Fnesco-S symphony in Il Hat new.
Enesco-Two pieces for flute, Georges Bar
rere.
E'ranck-Symphonic Variations. pianoforte
and orchestra. N. Borchard.
Franck-Symphony In minor.