Private Symphony Concert: 2nd

“Edmund Schemerhorn’s 2^nd ‘symphony concert’ 3 p.m., under Pech’s baton. About 50 present. No. 1. ‘Passacaglia,’ Sebastian Bach, orchestrated by Esser of Vienna. Pure counterpoint & ingenious construction, without expression or agreeable melody, & too long—an injudicious selection. But its construction was wonderful & I should like to hear it several times. 2. Mozart’s lovely symphony no. 5 in D. Exquisite. 3. Beethoven’s ‘Ah perfido,’ Mme. Ackermann-Jaworska. Beautiful work, shriekily rendered—the lady’s voice cut into one, like an iced razor. But she sings intelligently, & knows her business. 4. An agreeable ‘potpourri’ from Rossini’s William Tell. But a hashed opera can never possess great merit.”