New York Philharmonic Society Rehearsal: 2nd

“Philharmonic Rehearsal 2 1/2 p.m. Haydn’s Symphony in B-flat, No. __.  The most frequently played of all his symphonies. Most fresh, wholesome, unaffected, genuine music. Nobody can write that way now, & nobody tries. Composers aim only at intensities and tectonic spasms and seem to write in a state of what the Doctors call ‘prostration with excitement.’ They produce something that resembles the art of Haydn, as the postures of an epileptic resemble those of Rafaella’s Saints and Virgins. This symphony gave us . . . a vision of everything that’s gay and joyous and honest and healthy, with a glimpse of something more serious now and then. . . . Thereafter a clean and beautiful piano concerto of Beethoven’s, S. Mills at the piano.”

“The Academy of Music was yesterday afternoon crowded in every part by a fashionable audience, the occasion being the second rehearsal for the second concert of the Philharmonic Society of this city. A fine orchestra of one hundred performers, under the leadership of Mr. Carl Bergmann, was in attendance, and promptly opened the programme with Haydn’s symphony in B flat. Judging from the excellent interpretation which the composition received a rare treat is in store for those who may have the pleasure of being present at the concert, for though pretty often performed its just rendering is always listened to with feelings of delight. Mr. S. B. Mills next appeared at the pianoforte, when one of Beethoven’s grand concertos was given, and while not unfamiliar to the greater portion of the audience its mention in the programme would have been satisfactory. The second part offers something that will undoubtedly attract much attention—namely, Catell’s overture, ‘Semiramide,’ and a symphonic poem, ‘On the Mountain,’ by Liszt. The latter is full of beautiful description, and being the first time of its performance in this country at the Philharmonic concert the occasion will be rendered unusually interesting.”