Thomas Central Park Garden Concert

Includes program; “Grand Schubert night.” 

Includes program. 

“The Schubert programme interpreted at the Central Park Garden last night was not nearly so interesting as the selections of previous Tuesdays. Schubert has written some charming music, but very few of his compositions are fitted, either by breadth of thought or skill in treatment, to rank with what may be called the classics of Mr. Thomas’ repertoire. The part of the entertainment which afforded most pleasure was, however, that taken up by the Symphony in C, No. 9, with the second movement of which everybody is familiar, and which, though on the whole it cannot be compared to either Beethoven or Schumann, is nevertheless rich in melodious passages which delight, if they do not impress, the listener. The octet disappointed us considerably, and the more so because of the promise of its opening movement, the elegiac grace of which almost atoned for its excessive length. A lovely theme and variations from a quartet in D minor, played by the string orchestra, was, after the symphony, the choicest thing of the evening, and as it was executed with unsurpassable expressiveness and delicacy by Mr. Thomas’ men, it was promptly appreciated. The audience, we are glad to say, was very large and fashionable, although it was quite clear that Schubert’s name is not a power among American admirers of symphonic music.” 

“Mr. Theodore Thomas has inaugurated at Central Park Garden a series of concerts for Tuesday nights, in which the programme consists wholly of selections from the works of some great composer. We have had already a Wagner night, and a Beethoven night, and last evening Schubert filled the bill with the following works [see above]. The octet in its amplified form was a novelty. It was originally written for first and second violins, viola, cello, contrabasso, horn, clarionet and bassoon. It is purely chamber music, and we question the judgment that would take it from its legitimate sphere and place it on a summer garden programme. The composer certainly never intended any amplification of his work. The symphony, thanks to Thomas, has now become one of the chief favorites of the musical public of America. This orchestra plays it charmingly. It teems over with delicious themes, framed in an exquisite orchestral setting, and there is not an uninteresting bar in it from beginning to end. The wonderful power and unanimity of the orchestra shine in the most resplendent light in the rendering of this grand work. Mozart’s Symphony in D, No. 5, will be the cheval de bataille for Thursday night. Mr. Thomas is still pursuing the policy he has adopted of presenting in these summer concerts of his such an array of new works as cannot be equaled either in Europe or America. His répertoire seems almost illimitable. Rare manuscripts, unknown to even the most distinguished orchestras of France or Germany, may be found in his library, and at Central Park Garden they are first introduced to the public. What wonder, then, his popularity and unprecedented success?”