Philharmonic Society of New York Rehearsal

“At the regular Philharmonic rehearsal yesterday afternoon, the ‘Sacuntala’ overture, by Goldmark, a Mozart symphony, and an overture by Schumann, were the orchestral pieces. They were all well received, but the ‘Sacuntala’ overture seemed to give particular pleasure.”

“The programme yesterday comprised three orchestral works—Symphony in D major, Mozart; ‘Sacuntala’ overture, Goldmark, and overture, scherzo and finale, Schumann. Here, again, is an instance of what little attention the Philharmonic Society pay to their programmes. There are six symphonies by Mozart in D major and it would not have cost the directors much extra trouble or expense to have added a word designating which of these works they selected. This question of programme is one which the directors of the society should pay attention to, as the bills they now place in the hands of the audience might as well be circulars of an auction room or clothing store for all the benefit the ladies and gentlemen who patronize the Philharmonic concerts derive from them. Of course, cultivated musicians need no programme to tell them the name of a piece of classical music; but nineteen-twentieths of the Philharmonic audience would derive far more pleasure if they had a programme in which a short, explanatory sketch of each work was given. The director of the Church Music Association understands his business better, and a programme of one of their concerts is something one can preserve as a memento of a real musical treat. But enough of this. The Philharmonic Society, since they lost the practical business guidance of Dr. R. O. Doremus, seem resolved to adhere to all their old-fashioned style of management, and, as a consequence, complaints are becoming more numerous and persistent on the part of their oldest patrons. Carl Goldmark, the composer of the ‘Sacuntala’ overture, is a Hungarian, at present residing in Vienna. He is about forty-one years of age, and about fourteen years ago commenced to display his abilities as a composer. This overture is the best of all his works. His style is somewhat disfigured by the Liszt vagaries which may yet effect his destruction. Of the Schumann work we shall speak at the next rehearsal. Regarding the soloists at their next concert, the Philharmonic are as reticent as if they feared that the artists might be spirited away before the concerts. As a general thing the attendance at the concerts this season is less than during the term of office of the previous president.”