Amateur Philharmonic Concert

“An orchestral society of young men, numbering about fifty active members, gave a concert at Steinway Hall last evening, before an audience larger than we have seen at the majority of musical entertainments this season. Their efforts were confined to an Auber overture, a Haydn symphony, Vieuxtemps’ ‘Reverie,’ without the solo, and Suppe’s ‘Light Cavalry’ overture, together with the accompaniment of soprano and tenor arias. Although such an enterprise as the establishment of a new orchestra calls for encouragement, yet a conscientious critic can hardly commend the vaulting ambition that led to a public concert in a large hall with such crude material as the Amateur Philharmonic Society possesses. The performance was of the most chaotic description, and was calculated to inspire feelings of regret and pity. There were at times ominous symptoms of a positive crash, which was happily averted by the conductor. Dr. Damrosch played an adagio and rondo of Vieuxtemps, and having unfortunately tuned his violin a quarter of a tone below the pitch of the piano the consequences were disastrous. The pianist also introduced the novel feature of striking two notes where one alone was required, in order, probably, to insure accuracy. The result was anything but pleasant. Mr. Romeyn, a tenor of an energetic and demonstrative school, sang an aria from Millard’s ‘Deborah,’ which might easily be mistaken for a selection by Verdi or Donizetti. The only feature of musical interest was the exquisite singing of Miss Henrietta Beebe, who, despite the disadvantages of a horrible accompaniment in the ‘L’Estasi Waltz’ and the absence of the organ part in Gounod’s ‘Ave Maria’ (Méditation sur un Prélude de Bach), managed to win enthusiastic applause. This orchestra has very much to learn before the public will tolerate its efforts. Indulgence towards playing such as that of last night would not be in the interests of music.”

“A concert was given by the above-named society last Saturday evening at Steinway Hall. The orchestra, under the direction of Mr. Leopold Meyer, executed [see above.]

The first selection was well rendered, but Haydn’s symphony was too much for the young amateurs. In certain passages the first violins were not together, and at other times the brass instruments were altogether too loud. The same defect was visible in Suppe’s overture, though some parts were remarkably well played. Vieuxtemps’s beautiful ‘Reverie’ was fairly rendered, and the ‘Pizzicato Polka,’ excellently played, ended the orchestral performance.

The success of the evening was Dr. Leopold Damrosch’s exquisite rendering of Vieuxtemps’s first concerto in E. He played this concerto in the most finished style, and the hearty applause that he received was sufficient guaranty of the pleasure he had afforded. Miss Henrietta Beebe sang Arditi’s ‘L’Estasi Waltz,’ and received an encore. Mr. Romeyn sang a tenor aria from Millard’s Deborah, the orchestra directed by the composer, and both in the andante and the cabaletta showed genuine taste. His powerful voice sounded to good advantage in the large space of Steinway Hall.”