Central Park Garden Concert

Program to consist wholly of works by Wagner; long article on the increased attention now bestowed upon this composer.

“100^th concert at Central Park Garden; grand gala Wagner night”

Continuation (also long) of previous day’s article.

“Last night at the Central Park Garden was devoted entirely to Wagner, and if we are not mistaken it is the first time we have had a programme in this city made up exclusively of what is called the Music of the Future. Three or four years ago the most enthusiastic admirer of the author of ‘Tannhäuser’ and ‘Tristan’ would not have ventured upon such a bold experiment. Last night there was such a crowd of listeners that the whole city seemed to be flocking to Fifty-ninth st. The first part of the concert was devoted to ‘Lohengrin,’ the second to the ‘Walküre’ and the ‘Meistersinger,’ and the third to ‘Tannhäuser.’ There was nothing new in these selections, but they embraced, as all attendants at the Garden Concerts know, several of the most brilliant, most valuable, and most perennially popular arrangements in Mr. Thomas’s rich collection, and they display also the inexhaustible variety of Wagner’s genius. It would have been difficult to make a more interesting programme.”

“’Wagner Night’ was the title given to the one hundredth grand concert performance at Central Park Garden, last evening. The programme was made up exclusively from Wagner’s music, the selections being from ‘Lohengrin,’ the ‘Walkuere,’ and ‘Tannhäuser.’ The warm Summer night and absence of the full force of other places of amusement, more especially of a musical character, had the effect of completely filling all available spaces of the garden. An immense throng filled the seats and promenades from the entrance to the rearmost places. Whatever may be said of the difficulties and unsatisfactory effect in the vocal rendering of Wagner’s works, no word could be spoken against the accurate interpretation given by the orchestra last night. The instrumentalists seemed to revel in the peculiar and original passages of the so-called Wagner school. Especially notable was the performance of the ‘Bridal Procession’ from the second act of ‘Lohengrin,’ while the overture to ‘Tannhauser’ was greeted with appreciative applause. The concert proved to be one of the decided triumphs of the season.”

“The Music Hall and grounds at the Central Park Garden were filled last evening with disciples of the new school of operatic music, who listened with rapt attention to the orchestral performances of Wagner’s compositions, glad that they were fortunate enough to have so rich and delicious a feast prepared for their enjoyment at this season of rest. It would be strange indeed if it were necessary to say words of commendation respecting the Thomas orchestra. Yet it is a duty to endeavor to express our indebtedness to it for providing gratifications, free from all debasing alloy, for raising us temporarily above our petty cares, removing depressions and refreshing our souls with the pure and elevating pleasures which attend the contemplation of works of high art. How shall we discover terms that will convey our sense of thankfulness to this body of instrumentalists and their eminent, highly distinguished conductor?” [No further references to this performance; rest of article continues the series on Wagner begun on August 19]

Continuation (also long) of series on Wagner begun on August 19.