Thomas Symphony Extra Concert; J. H. Cornell Benefit

“The extra concert given by Theodore Thomas last night at Steinway Hall was fairly attended, considering the weather, though there was not such an audience present as the programme deserved. The following were the selections [see above].

“The performance of the picturesque Forest Symphony of Raff was as fresh, bright, and bracing as an Autumn day in the woods. The charming grace, the fine sentiment, the inimitable delicacy of the Revery and Dryads’ Dance, exquisitely as those two movements were played, did not impress us more than the rich coloring and healthy vigor of the other and less popular portions of the symphony. In the ‘Egmont’ overture, the stormy splendors of Wagner’s introduction to ‘The Flying Dutchman,’ the fascinating allegro from Bach’s string concerto (played at one of the recent symphony concerts), and the grand March from ‘Athalie,’ we found repeated cause for surprise and delight at this matchless orchestra, which is not more remarkable for precision and refinement than for masculine strength, and dignity, and fire. Mr. Mills completed the attractions of the concert with a noble interpretation of two movements of a concerto, in connection with which he has acquired a sort of special celebrity.”

Review: New-York Times, 10 April 1874, 4.

“Mr. Thomas’ concert, given for the benefit of Mr. J. H. Cornell, last evening, was quite largely attended. The pièce de résistance of the bill was Raff’s ‘Im Walde,’ to the clearness and prettiness of thought of which, as well as to the dainty and scholarly treatment of the themes, we have often had occasion, this season, to refer. The performance of the symphony by Mr. Thomas’ orchestra has had as frequent notice at our hands as the work itself, and to say now that one could not desire a reading more sympathetic and finished—that of the Mendelssohn scherzo being particularly indicative of of the admirable discipline of the band—would only be to repeat ourselves. The soloist of the concert was Mr. S. B. Mills, who played the larghetto and finale from Chopin’s F minor concerto. Mr. Mills, who had at his disposal a Steinway, of which even the richness of the orchestra’s tone could not lessen the charm, executed the two movements with his accustomed clearness and vigor of touch, and mathematical precision. Something less correct and more fanciful would be, perhaps, as acceptable when Chopin’s compositions are to be recited, but Mr. Mills’ every achievement has a sterling value which cannot be disregarded. He was, of course, recalled, and compelled to add to the programme.”

Review: New York Sun, 10 April 1874, 2.

“Theodore Thomas’s orchestra, with the cooperation of Mr. S. B. Mills, the pianist, gave a concert last evening at Steinway Hall. The audience was not a large one, which is the more to be regretted since the concert was tendered to Mr. J. H. Cornell, an accomplished writer and musician. The programme was one of peculiar excellence, comprising Raff’s ‘Forest Symphony,’ which is one of the loveliest tone pictures that has been written since Mendelssohn composed his ‘Midsummer Night’s Dream’ music.

The spirited and quaint allegro from Bach’s concerto for stringed instruments was also played, and in both of these pieces this remarkable orchestra again displayed those qualities through which they have made their reputation world wide. The overture to Wagner’s ‘Flying Dutchman’ was also splendidly given, but it is dreadful music—harsh, dissonant, devoid of musical rhythm and structure, and repellant to the ear and sentiment.

Mr. Mills played with great expression and with fine effect two movements from Chopin’s concerto in F minor, and being recalled gave with equal finish one of Schumann’s shorter pieces.”

Review: New York Post, 10 April 1874, 2.

“The night chosen for the concert in behalf of Mr. J. H. Cornell was an unfortunate one, but in spite of the most disagreeable storm of the season, more than half of the seats in Steinway Hall were filled. The exquisite music of Raff’s ‘Forest Symphony’ was rendered with a delicacy and expression such as only Mr. Thomas’s musicians permit us to enjoy. The overture to Beethoven’s ‘Egmont,’ the war march from his [i.e., Mendelssohn’s] ‘Athalie’ and Bach’s arrangement for string instruments were the most popular pieces of the programme, and Wagner’s ‘Flying Dutchman’ overture deservedly the least. S. B. Mills played, with orchestral accompaniment, selections from Chopin’s concerto in F minor, and as an encore a piece by Schumann.”

Review: Dwight's Journal of Music, 02 May 1874, 223.

“An extra concert, given by the Thomas Orchestra at Steinway Hall. Beethoven’s noble overture to ‘Egmont’ opened the programme, and was followed by Raff’s ‘Forest Symphony,’ a work which, ever fresh and charming, grows in interest with each hearing. Wagner’s ‘Flying Dutchman’ overture; the Allegro from Bach’s Concerto for string orchestra; and the grand War March of the Priests, from Mendelssohn’s Athalie, were the orchestral selections for the second part of the bill. Mr. S. B. Mills played the Larghetto and Finale from Chopin’s F minor Concerto. The rendering of the marvelous tone-poem is a favorite task of his, and one which he has never accomplished with greater success than on this particular evening. If his playing is not over passionate it is, at least, not lacking in any of the other qualities necessary to the proper interpretation of such a work.”