New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-11-08
THE BOSTON ORCHESTRA
A Welcome for Or. Muck at
Carneqie Hall.

Inc RIeetlnR WHICH the oICHbr-
ira received at its first concert for this
season in Carnegie Hall last night could
have been no heartier had the countrys
metropolis had a proprietary Interest in
the orchestra instead OF New England's
capital But this is Characteristic Of New
York Civic pride plays no part In It's APP
probation of artistic offerings. II cares
nothing for the native habitat OF those
who contribute to its enjoyment and re-
fuses to believe that It is a duty to az
feet to admire the mediocre because II ia
Of home production, or to give small
measure OF appreciation to the ex-
cellent because 1t Is not. And yet
without appeal to the sentiment which is
preached in so many places as an essen
tial to culture II manages to maintain
pretty high standard of appreciative In
terest in art. In nothing is this demon
strated more convincingly than in It's de-
light in the Boston Orchestra. With a
hundred other orchestra concerts to listen
to every season 1t makes a gala occasion
out OF every visit OF Major Higginson
organization. 1t accepts its programmes
without murmur. even when they repeat
compositions which have just been heard
from local orchestras, and retoices unaf-
fectedly and Fundamentally In every
manifestation of remarkable skill by the
leader or his men. And its opportunities
to do 30 are frequent, largely because the
performances have always been kept
free from vagaries or strivings after
sensational effect. Neither the perform
ances of the bandsmen nor the readings
OF their leaders have become mannerisms
here, and so without yielding their priVl-
lege to discriminate the people OF New
York have noted the phases through which
the Boston Orchestra has passed in the
course Of more than a quarter OF a CEN
tury, placed an estimate upon them all
and frankly and enthusiastically paid
tribute to all which made appeal to It's
aesthetic judgment. The achievements OF
the men have received as full recogni-
ton as that given to their leaders, from
Gericke to Fielder. All Of the conductors
live in the admiration Of New Yorks
music lovers none more puissantly than
Dr. Muck whose return was celebrated
last night. There was no artificial eff
him, for the audiences OF the Boston Or
chestra are lovers of music, not worship
pers Of men; but DR.. Muck was made 10
feel that musical New York was glad OF
his presence and of the assurance which
that presence gave OF refined pleasures.
haply for a long time to come.
The gracious ceremony over, the au-
dience settled down to present enjoyment.
1t came in more than expected measure
in spite. or perhaps because, OF the IA
miliarity Of all the music on the pro-
gramme. In a way the list might have
been described az conventional as we'll as
familiar. tribute to the great SYM
phonist-him who was, who is and who
shall be, let us hope, in sacula saculorum
began It. DR.. Muck gave us
the Heroic symphony. Then the men
must show their "virtuosity" in Berlioz's
overture Carnival Romaine" and LISTS |
"Mszeppa." and to bring back an ap- |
probation OF the sound and healthy In |
the art the prelude TO die Meistersing- |
err" When the ideal day comes for or
chestral music II may be that a symphony |
by Beethoven will be permitted 10 stand |
for an evenings enjoyment alone. or with |
only an Introductory piece 10 attune the
mind for It's appreciation Then such beau
ties as marked last nights performance |
OF the "Eroca" Will be carried away as a |
lovely memory TO be dwelt on with Joy |
and TO be cherished as an uplifting ex- !
perience. What was there In all the gilt
ter OF the BerlioZ and List music 10
match the music OF the symphony which |
DR.. Muck evoked for its own sake rather
than to exploit the skill OF the musicians?
Was there anywhere such exquisite pathos
as that which spoke out OF the conclud-
ing measures OF the funeral march when
the music apparently borders on childish
ness I'm its simplicity. and then seizes upon
heart and Imagination as 1t grows until enc
feels the falling clods and Joins In the
and the choked signs! Here
was the emotional climax OF last nights
music. Before II the ear had been raw
ished with the purity. OF the instrumental
tone. and, in the first movement especial
Iy. with the transparency or the mar
monies. each instrument contributing us
ouality. but leaving the balance undis-
turbed: also with the exquisite finesse
OF the dynamic effects, the delightful pro-
pulsion OF the dainty sforzatos. the equa-
bility in quantity and quality with when |
phrases were taken up ana
continued by an instrumental companion,
but in the coda of the march poeucai
expression was supreme, and there, to |
many, perhaps, was the climax OF the
evening, despite the pure loneliness OF the
scherzo and the glorious flight IN the con-
variations.
There did not seem to be an unoccupied
- q, the great hall. III. Y. X.
on.1rHTITTr CJUES RECITAL,