New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1920-04-11

and. in the case of the last mentioned
hymn by abolition of even a rhetorical
pause between the lines. To US this
seemed even less tolerable than the
German custom of an organ interlude
between the lines. How firmly the
choir can stand upon its feet was con-
vincngly illustrated in the "Cum
minor which brought the Bach portion
of the program to an end. 1t was sung
in carefully deliberate tempo. how
ever The choir gathered a generous
guerdon OF applause, especially after it
mad sung the hymn with closed lips.
An Anniversary Celebrated
The evening concert was devoted to
Berlioz's dramatic legend "The DAM
nation of Faust" and was given, so
said the program, "in honor Of the for
tleth anniversary Of the first perform
ance of this work in America by the
Oratorio and Symphony societies of
New York. conducted by Dr.. Leopold
Damrosch."
AS matter of fact it fell within
nine days Of the anniversary Of the
fifth performance, which took place on
April 2, 1880 The first performance
was at concert of the Symphony So
cIety, the Oratorio Society assisting,
on February ~ of that year. Or. Dam
rosch gave three performances within
fortnight and five before the season
of so came to close 1t is scarce
ly an exaggeration to say that there
had never before beer such a sensa-
tioAal stirring Of the musical waters
IN the country by single composition
We can not recall that there has been
parallel since. In fact, the DAM
nation of Faust" contributed much to
the Mobilization of DR.. Damrosch in
New York and all the benefits which
have flowed from his sojourn and that
of his sons since.
1t took The Domination of Faust"
more than thirty-four years to reach
a performance in America, vet New
York was only nine days behind Lon
don IN hearing it. The circumstance is
singular in view of the fact that the
cultivation of Berlioz's music was con-
Quoted with something like enthusiasm
~ the metropolis of the United States
as long ago as the middle of the nine
teenth century; but when New York
was waking to the beauty and sieniti
canoe of the French masters over
lures and symphonies, LA Damnatlon
De De faust" was still unappreciated in
latlS' where its first performance, of
which Berlioz has left US a mournful
1876. ~' '" Oe'e"'Def o.
The work aroused no interest then.
although the dramatic symphony
Romeo ct Julliette" had been acclaimed
with enthus iasism. A year had elapsed
between the two performances and
DerIloz says that within that period
me Partisan public had made incredit-
i3ie strides in indifference to every-
1nhlng related to literature and art. |
RESIDES, the Opera Com.quc, in whic.l
we concert took place, was unfashlon- |
t:pis' 'he weather was bad. he had no
reasonable singers to entrust with the.
part of Marguerite, and Of his m ,au
Roger and Leon, could be heard
any day in the same house and were
longer in vogue. Therefore the con,
ceft-going. people stayed at home. car
ing as little for the new work az If its
composer had been an obscure student
at the Conservatoire, "'
Choir Is Commended
There have been more effective per-
ormances Of the work among the fonr-
teen given by the Oratorio Society
more effective chiefly because given
uhoer proper conditions. Yet there
was much to commend in the singing
OF the choir which was not so numer. !
GU wv PteCeulHE concerts. By |
spreading the orchestra across the |
stage the homogenity of it's tone was
sestyoyed except when only strings and
wood winds were active.
When Mr.. Damrosch loosed his
orazen phalanX and pulsatie batteries !
IN the "Rakoczy March" the din was
terrific on the east side of the room
and all sense of balance was lost But |
the audience found it stupendously ex-
and all but shouted it's en-
thusiasm. The solo parts were finely
sung, the diction of Miss Easton and |
Mr.. Harold being so admirable that
scarcely word was lost, while both
Mr. Rothier in the part of Mephis- +
topheles and Mr.. Patton as Brander
lid full justice to the music The au-
alence was the smallest of the week.
Changes in the program, which !
nave marked every concert except that
IF yesterday afternoon, will again be
found in the final concert this after |
noon. Nine. Tetrazzini will not sing. |
Nine. Schumann- Heink will take her
place, and her numbers will be her old
battle horse from Mozart's Titus" and |
a group of songs. Instead of the On
Hamatus' from Rossini's "Stabat
Nate the chorus will repeat "Laud Ye
Ills Name" which was one of the tri-
umphs Of the Rachmaninoff evening