Central Park Band Concert

Includes program.

“There was an immense assemblage around the pagoda in the Park yesterday when Dodworth's band commenced their usual Saturday afternoon concert. The overture to the Pretender, by Kucken, was the opening piece. It is a light melodious work, written in the happiest vein of the celebrated song composer, the finale, in which there is a cleverly worked fugue, being particularly brilliant. A beautiful 'romanza, entitled ‘Rose Water Well,' by Dodworth, followed. This is one of this composer’s most exquisite melodies, and cannot fail to prove a favorite during the summer concerts. One of Gungl’s dreamy waltzes, ‘Uber Land und Meer,’ a companion to the well known ‘Dreams on the Ocean,’ came next, and was succeeded by the Turner March, by Unrath, a popular march composer in Germany. Then came a delicious overture, 'Anacreon,' by Cherubini, a work which, although written with an exactitude almost mathematical, is full of vigor, fire and dramatic effect. Though the style of Cherubini belongs more to the German than the Italian school, still he cannot properly be placed among the artists of the former; yet his manner is less Italian than that of Mozart; it is purer than that of Beethoven; it is in fact, the [illeg.], ancient style of Italy, refreshed and decorated with the harmony of modern times. The same purity, the same sobriety of proceeding, the same results, obtained by the same mysterious means that characterized the music of Palestrina is to be found in all Cherubini’s works. To the eye, his music presents combinations of which it is impossible to divine the effect, until the execution of it reveals it to the ear. The Quarry Mazurka and the florid Linda de Chamouni [sic] concluded the second part of the programme. The principal feature of the last part was a charming scherzo, 'L'Orologio,' by Arditi. When the galop, 'Flick au Flock,' well known to the ball-goers was announced, Jupiter Pluvius thought it was time to close the concert, and down came the rain in unmistakable earnestness. The audience dispersed at double quick to the accompaniment of the music, thinking of getting home before Mr. Dodworth had time to play his 'Home Thoughts'.”