Thomas Popular Garden Concert: 23rd

Includes program.

Includes program.

“Mr. Theodore Thomas' presence at Terrace Garden last week appears to have given a separate interest to the concerts there, at which, like Coleridge’s troop of spirits his superb little orchestra “fills the air with their sweet jargoning,” and the result has been, as upon Friday night, when an interlude of classical music was in order, and last evening, audiences quite as numerous as the populations of some large towns were gathered there. Mr. Thomas has introduced in these recent programmes some of the novelties that he encountered abroad, and among these the 'March of Victory from the Mountains to the Sea,' recently composed by Liszt for the King of Prussia, has caught the popular ear at once. It is always encored. The piece has a jubilant opening, but the main theme, which is in a quiet strain, is rather expressive of a solitary gratification at triumph—as by the King himself—than any general outburst of joy. The technicalities of the composition are, of course, beyond questioning. It is determined hereafter to make Sunday's programmes at these concerts classical also, on account of the increasing patronage of those more elevated entertainments. There will yet remain, however, three evenings of the lighter dance and operatic music, and the Sunday selections from all the others. The fever which these pleasing recreations –given in the open air—have received so far, adds but another illustration to what has now become almost a mission: that there is nothing pays like amusing the public, and that there is nothing so easy!”