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:
28 July 2024
"Thomas' Garden Concerts.--A very choice programme is prepared for Theo. Thomas' grand orchestral concert this evening at Terrace Gardens [sic]."
“These successful concerts are now drawing to a close. The cool weather and chilly breezes are decided enemies to open air concerts. The eighty-eighth of the season, which took place last night, was transferred from the pleasant garden to the capacious hall adjacent, though for such an orchestra as Mr. Thomas’ it is by far too small. The programme opened with a polonaise by Hoffman [sic], Five Hundred Thousand Devils, the only originality of which lay in the name. The overture Merry Wives of Windsor, played in fine style, was a pleasant change. Part II comprised as many good things as could reasonably be expected and more. The Turkish March, by Mozart, is quite unnecessary to praise; its execution was remarkable. A fantasia for French horn, The Tear, played by Mr. Henry Schmitz, was an exquisite piece of mournful and gentle melody. Mr. Schmitz, who quite often performs these solos, is worthy of all praise for the manner in which he handles his instrument. The Styrian Laendler, ‘S’Hoamweh’ with a violin obligato [sic] by Mr. Thomas, elicited great applause, and was encored. It was [illeg.] to by the performance of a grand selection from L’Africaine. Enough has been said of this opera elsewhere, but we cannot help saying that a greater jumble of sounds we have seldom heard. There was [illeg.], clearly something missing; it must have been the ‘ship and tree,’ without which the opera loses its principal effect. Besides this, the smallness of the hall for such a powerful volume of sound was painfully perceptive. The gem of the last part was ‘Dissolving Views,’ by Lumbye, in which the ‘Zitter’ was brought in with a peculiarly sweet effect. A galop, ‘Terrace Garden,’ closed the concert.”