Central Park Band Concert

Includes program.

“…[includes program] the pieces the Tannhauser overture was the most remarkable.  Mr. Dodworth has spent many months in arranging this, the grandest of overtures, for a military band; and to judge from the performance yesterday, he has succeeded admirably. The manner in which he has transferred the fantastic chromatic passages for the violins to the reeds, and the distinctness with which each phrase, each theme and each shade of color is brought out is deserving of the warmest praise. The introduction of the new saxophone and bass clarionets give a new impulse also to the effects of the band. Not only are all the orchestral points preserved in this overture, but the individuality of some of the members seems to be rendered more strongly marked. The pervading movement with which the overture commences, and which is varied and caught up by every instrument until it culminates in the grand massing of the finale stands out in every part of it in strong relief, while around it are woven fantastic wreaths of wierd-like [sic] passages from the reeds which give it an almost unearthly beauty. We hope this grand work will be kept on the Park programme for the entire season, for no more attractive feature could be presented.”

Weather conditions created a challenge for the Central Park concert. The noise of the storm drowned the softer sounds of the music, and only a small audience attended, due to the heavy, dark clouds that had been looming in the sky most of the day. Once the rain started, more people left. However, about 200 music enthusiasts stayed, hardly protected by their umbrellas. The initial delays of the summer concerts due to the reluctant support of the railway companies are over. It is certain now that the concerts will continue if the weather allows.