Central Park Garden Concert

Includes programme.

“The two Winters which he [Thomas] has spent in doing this [touring the principal cities of the Union] have sufficed to bring his band to a point of perfection hitherto unparalleled in the United States. Those who only remember it as it used to be when he gave his symphony concerts every season at Steinway Hall have no idea what it is now. It was always good, but it has been much improved by selection and polished by incessant practice, so that it now ought to rank as one of the best orchestras of the world. We heartily welcome it back, and hope it may stay here.”

“The programme is better than any Philharmonic one we have heard this season.”

“Theodore Thomas last night at Central Park Garden began his usual series of summer concerts, and was well received by a crowded audience. The music was interesting. The overture to Wagner’s ‘Meistersinger’ is in the most advanced style of the composer. Bruch’s ‘Loreley’ overture made an excellent impression, and will be repeated to-night. The other selections were well received.”

“The welcome given last night to Theodore Thomas and his unrivalled orchestra at the Central Park Garden was of a character that promises well for the summer evening concerts which have for so many seasons been a favorite with the public. The band was quite as numerous as usual, and was led with that enthusiasm and thorough musical appreciation for which Mr. Thomas is so famous. The programme was rich in selections from the best masters, and included the ‘Nocturne,’ ‘Scherzo’ and ‘Wedding March’ from Mendelssohn. The audience was very select and appreciative, and thronged the floor, private boxes and garden promenade.”

“Mr. Theodore Thomas opened his Summer concert season at the Central Park Garden on Monday evening. The rooms and the garden were both crowded, and Mr. Thomas had an unusually hearty and prolonged greeting when he took his place upon the stand. It is hardly necessary to say that the entertainment was a fine one, for there is no band in America which equals Mr. Thomas’s in the performance of the higher as well as the popular kinds of instrumental music, nor is there any other indeed which can really be called a permanent orchestra, Forty picked men, playing together every night under a thoroughly accomplished leader, must acquire a perfection of finish and a closeness of sympathy which can never be attained even by such fine organizations as the Philharmonic.

“The selections for the opening concert were pleasantly varied to suit almost every taste. There was Reineke’s ‘March of Victory,’ which fitly celebrated the return of the performers from a tour of remarkable extent and remarkable success. There were also, with other things, [see above], and the gorgeous Einleitung (Introduction) to Max Bruch’s ‘Loreley’—a novelty which we think Mr. Thomas will make very popular.”