Central Park Garden Concert

“Last grand Sunday concert.”

“On Sunday night the popular concert season at Central Park Garden closed in a fittingly brilliant manner. The hall and beautiful grounds were filled with the élite of the city, and the large audience seemed to be unusually demonstrative in their expression of gratitude toward the young conductor who has borne such a prominent part in the progress of music in this country. Commencing in this city at ten years of age as a violinist in concerts, over twenty years ago, and afterwards being promoted to the responsible position of conductor of both the Italian and German opera, he resolved to devote himself solely to the organization of a complete orchestra and the production of all standard works, old and new. During the five years of his memorable symphony soirées he made the metropolitan public acquainted for the first time with some of the grandest compositions of every school, and even during the past season of 134 popular concerts at Central Park Garden he brought the newest works of European composers actually in advance of London, Paris and Vienna. A score of Strauss waltzes, as yet unknown in England, are among this number, as, also, the ‘Kaiser March’ of Wagner. The orchestra, as constituted at present, consists of:--Sixteen violins, led by Mr. B. Listemann; five violas, four violoncellos, four double basses, one harp, one piccolo, two flutes, two oboes, one cor Anglais, two clarionets, two bassoons, four French horns, two trumpets, three trombones, one tuba, kettle drums, side drum, &c. Louis Schreiber is the cornet player and Signor Rocco the harpist. The other soloists are:--Mr. Eugene Weiner, flute; Mr. Joseph Eller, oboe; Mr. Paul Eitz, bassoon; Mr. Henry Schmitz, French horn; Mr. Charles Cappa and Mr. John Harvy, trombones. Mr. Diehm a very celebrated violoncellist from Germany, is expected to join the orchestra next week. Mr. Thomas starts with his band on Monday next for a lengthened tour through the provinces. They appear at Crosby’s Opera House, Chicago, taking all the intervening cities by way of New York State and the Lake shore on their way thither. There is a feature about the playing of this orchestra which impressed every one present on Sunday night most forcibly. This is a complete unanimity of expression, conception and execution in everything they play. Whether it be a movement from a symphony, an overture, a Strauss waltz, an operatic pot pourri, a leaf from the music of the future or a simple little chanson, they are always at home in the music and the keenest ear fails to detect the slightest discrepancy between the various instruments. Such a perfection of ensemble is the result of long and hard-earned experience, and cannot be attained otherwise. Miss Marie Krebs, one of the most gifted and versatile pianists that has visited this country for many years, accompanies the orchestra on its tour through the West and South.”

“Mr. Theo. Thomas closed his season of concerts at Central Park Garden, last night, when he gave the 134^th concert. It has been the most successful season he has yet given. The last two weeks the orchestra was increased to nearly sixty performers. The programmes always contain something good, and Thursday evenings the second part is made up of classical music exclusively. Last Thursday he gave us a fine performance of Beethoven’s ‘Eroica’ symphony, and the week before of Schumann’s fourth. His orchestra leave [sic] for the West about Oct. 1. He has engaged Mlle. Marie Krebs as the soloist, for the season.”