Venue(s):
Terrace Garden
Proprietor / Lessee:
7th Ave. between 58th and 59th Sts. Central Park Garden
Conductor(s):
Theodore Thomas [see also Thomas Orchestra]
Price: $.25
Event Type:
Orchestral
Performance Forces:
Instrumental
Status:
Published
Last Updated:
7 November 2017
"THIS (SATURDAY) AFTERNOON AND EVENING,
AFTERNOON AT 4 1/2, EVENING AT 8,
TWO TWO TWO TWO
OF
THEO. THOMAS' HIGHLY SUCCESSFUL
POPULAR ORCHESTRAL GARDEN CONCERTS
A NEW AND BRILLIANT PROGRAMME
FOR EACH CONCERT.
Visitors to the Afternoon Concert can remain for the Evening Concert
WITHOUT EXTRA CHARGE.
During unfavorable weather the Concert will be given in the large and elegant hall."
“The NINETEENTH AND TWENTIETH OF THESE POPULAR AND PALATABLE FEASTS OF MUSIC TOOK PLACE YESTERDAY AT Koch’s Terrace Garden on Third avenue. There was a plentiful sprinkling of overtures, German waltzes and galops on both programmes. A word regarding the German waltz. The waltes of Strauss, Gung’l, Lumbye, Labitzky and Lanner are widely different from those of other composers. There is a dreamy touching and ever changing sentiment pervading them, which makes them more like a musical drama than a mere accompaniment to a few whirling couples of dancers. Hearing them we can readily understand the passion of the Teutonic mind for the waltz. The themes succeed each other like the shifting colors of the kaleidoscope, and each theme has a distinct character of its own. There is something of absolute intoxication in all the dance music of Germany which draws even the unwilling into the charmed circle of Terpsichore, and whirls him round as it were in despite [sic] of himself until limbs and head give way. In the Terrace Garden there are numerous alcoves and cosy retreats, which are invariably crowded with Americans, as well as Germans. It is quite a study to watch the influence of the music of Fatherland on the children of the ‘Bund.’ The lager or Rhine wine pours down the throat as a kind of emollient to the delicious strains of the orchestra, and the breast heaves and the eyes glisten as the billowy chords rise on the air and thrill through every nerve of the human system. A superficial observer may think that the square-faced German opposite him is a phlegmatic, unappreciative listener; but a glance can tell him the contrary. The Rhine or Elbe, with the historic and domestic reminiscences attached to each, is photographed on that seemingly dull face, and the soul recalls the days of childhood spent years ago in the provinces of Central Europe. The hours spent in the gardens of Kroll & Sommers in Berlin, and in Dommeyer’s Casino and Volk’s Garden in Vienna, are again recalled; the wide waste of ocean between the dreamer and his birthplace disappears by the magic wand of the director, and the German is again at home. The orchestra at Terrace Garden is equal in every respect to what we have listened to at the Symphony soirées last winter, and understands thoroughly the many eminent composers whose names appear on the bills. On the Fourth of July there will be a grand display of fireworks and two concerts. Mr. Thomas has succeeded admirably so far in these concerts, although they were a risky experiment considering the expenses of his orchestra, which comprises some of the best artists in the metropolis. Every Friday the second part of the programme consists of compositions of a high order, such as movements of symphonies, classical overtures, &c.”