Shanghai Philharmonic Society was given in the Lyceum Theatre on Wednesday evening(2nd). Thehousewasnotquitesofull as on former occasions, but the Committee provided a most. interesting programme, its only drawback being the superfluity of good thingr presented. A good many of the concerts here are much too lengthy; and however well carried out become exceedingly wearisome towards the end:: the result being the uncomfortable spectacle of people hastening away before the last number is concluded. Two hours at the very outside suffices for a musical feast of the choicest description. A few minutes after nine the concert began with the overture to Rossini chef-d'euvre, Semiramide, first produced 'Venicein 1823, admirably played, which was followed by a refined and expressive rendering of Marzials' "Leaving yet Loving" by Mr. A. J. Franks. The first of two novelties followed in the shape of an over, and dedicated to the members of the Society. This was perhaps the best performance of the orchestra—the members, imbued with some of the spirit and fire of their excellent conductor on such an auspicious occasion, played with great care and thoughtfulness, dud the result proved highly satisfactory. One's first impression of the overture is distinctly favourable, and confir It is impossible to give a de-further acquaintance would doubtless
sketch at first sight, but from a curry glance the first point that strikes one is the use of the leit motif which, invented d perfected by Wagner, is of the greatest significance in the modern school of orchestration, The opening is bold and massive. The first subject develops with a continuous employment of the full orchestra. After it has been fully worked out we enter upon the coond section with a melody for colli, supported by the other strings and ornamented with arpeygi forharp. The interest enhanced by sume pretty tone colo and richly-harmonise phrases for clarionets and oboes in response to the strings,—a most happy and effective device. A nive contrast follows with a melody for strings in unison accompanied by the wind. A phrase for drums preludes the working cut of the final section, which introduces just before the peroration a fragment here and there of the second theme, to remind us of what has gone before. The overture was warm applauded and the composer recalled.
madame Vela and Mrs, Macleod sang with much and expression Rossiui's lovely duet Quis est Homo (Stabut Mater), accompanied by the orchestra, 'The effect was charming; both ladies did the utmost justice to the pleading yet soothing character of the music, and were loudly applauded for their graceful interpretation of it, One is only sorry, however, that Mrs, Macleod is not heard' more frequently the concert rooms here. Before the d of the first part of the programme Dr. Macleod, the President of the Society, stepped forward and presented Mr. Vela witha handsome ivory baton mounted with old. He said:—Ladies and gentlemen, have to ask of you a few minutes' attention to a part of the performance which has not received notice in the programme. As you are aware our Conductor, Mr. Vela, is soon about to leave Shanghai for a well-earned holiday. The active members of the y are anxious that he should take with him some express sion of their good-will and a mark of their appreciation of his valuable services as their conductor. Concerts being the only ocean us on which honorary members of the Society are all brought, together, this, the last of the season and immediately preceding Mr. Vela's departure, was fixed upon by the Committee as suitable for the purpose, Mr, Vela, as President of the Shanghai Philharmonic Society, on behalf of its active members, I have to convey to you the expression of our thorough appreciation of your valuable services as our Conductor. The management of an amateur orchestra is not an easy matter at any time if it is to be attended by a degree of success, and when the material is selected from a small community like that of rom hai, the task is not thereby lightened. Such work affords a field for untiring energy, endless patience and constant kind-Tines, and when I say that you, Sir, have
and desirable qualities, 1 am sure that I farnished an unstinted supply of these rare am expressing not only my own opinion on the subject but that of every member of the orchestra. Ifeach one of us brought to bear on our practice anything like the amount of energy and enthusiasm which you, Sir, have exhibited, I have no hesitation in saying that the Shanghai Philharmoule Society would be second to no amateur orchestra in the world. To your musical attainments it is scarcely necessary for me to refer; on every hand they are acknowledged tobe of a high order. Your absence from Shanghai during the miner months will be a cause for general regret, but I am sure that the wish la as general that both you and Madame Vela will have a pleasant holiday, the best of health to enjoy it, and that you will come back in the autumn with a renewed store of vigour. While this little gift is from the active members of the Society, I have no doubt that what I have said in expression of their wishes and feelings will be cordially endursed by the honorary members now present.
sto shall now read the inscription on this "Presented by the Shanghai Philharmenic Society to their Conductor Chevalier M. Vela, 2nd April, 1890."
In the name of the active members of the Society [hand it to you in the hope that you will be long spared to wield it here or elsewhere.
_Amid much cheering, M. Vela expressed his heartfelt thanks for the gift.
Haydn's Symphony (No. 2 in D minor) was divided between the two parts of the programme; which perhaps was necessary on this occasion, but a precedent by no means desirable to be followed in future. 'The more serious music should always come early in the first part of the programme for the sake of the Art, as well j ment. By thus dividing it one lose the main idea of the composer' tions, and the continuity of the piece is thus broken, The Symphony No. 2 was first performed in the Hanover Square Rooms on March the 1th, 1791, and the andante was encored—' a very rare occurrence,' as the notice at the time observed. Last night the andante was very badly played, insomuch as it became very tedious and led on the listener. Technically not. 80 ficult as the other movements, yet westhetically considered it requires the greatest thought and watchfulness to observe every suance;—to make the true distinction between legato and staccato and to round oft with the proper degree of finish and style every little phrase, Therein the orchestra failed. The other movements were ven in " highly creditable manner, Dire moutrie and Mr. Fleet sang the duet "Anchored" very pleasingly and curned a hearty recall, In the Capriccio for pian and orchestra Mise de Conte again mani fested good technique as a pianist, and added to the laurels she has already won is winter, by her conscientious reading of Mendelssohn's delightful work, A special word of praise is due to the orchestra for the admirable way in which it did its share of the work, The contrast to the andante previously mentioned was very gratifying, and the whole performance would have been perfect but for one false enti of the clarionet. Space doos not permit us to enlarge upon the minor pieces for strings, except to remark what an excellent and reliable section of the band the strings are, The quartets, 'The Hunter's Farowell,' and 'Come, boys, drink and merry be', by Messrs. Fleet, Franks, Lanning and Gratton deserve the highest commendation, We have never heard four voices blend well together. The ensemble was perfect; and they made the most out of both songs. 'The bacchanalian ditty especially went right merrily' to quote the author, A pretty Gavotte by M. Vela closed the concert. The new and brilliant-toned Pleyel grand piano was supplied by Mr. Moutrie. The programme was as follows Part 1—Overture—Semirami 2—Song—'Leaving yet Loving' Marzials.
hr. 9, Branks 3—Overture. el Vela, 4—Duet—< Quis est Homo' (Sta-hat Mater) Rossini.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.