MADAME GODDARD’S THIRD CONCERT.

Evening Star, Issue 3669, 25 November 1874, Page 2

MADAME GODDARD’S THIRD CONCERT.

Madame Goddard’s third concert was equally well attended last evening as the other two, and, so far as she was concerned, w-nt off with equal success. The classic piece of the evening was “ fhe Harmonious Black - smith,'’ by Handel. As everybody wboknoss the music itself knows the tradition concerning this celebrated pi ce we need not discuss the question whether it was a me'ody suggested by a blacksmith whittling an air while working the bellows, or by any blacksmith under any circumstances. It seems to us, from its construction, to hive been intended to describe the ring of a number of hammers on an anvil. It begins with the signal note, and at once the melody proceeds in that strict and accurate time.so necessary to be observed by strikers at a forge. The theme is varied in a playful manner, giving p'enty of work for either hand alternately ; but it ;a never lost, the accent • t tha leading notes being maintained throughout. Madame Goddard played it in exquisite siyle, the only feeling when it was conclude ! being that it was too short. At the close the applause was loud and long sus tained. Thalberg’s fantasia on airs from “ Masanielio,” reconciled us to his btyle of composition, which, however, is not suited to artists less accomplished than Madame Goddard. Interpreted by her with her wonderful ability as an executant, anything she chooses becomes music, provided it fulfils the conditions of harmony ; but we question whether for amateurs the result of the practice they would be inclined to give would be worth the labor. Except iu one or two instances we have reason to think it time wasted. Euissac’s Scotch Fantasia contains several very favorite airs, and in reply to an encore Madame Goddard treated her audience once more to the “ Bine Bells of Scotland. ” The spirit thrown into the national music must have gone home to many a heart, but, we were glad to observe, did not affect the feet until the last sound of the music had died away. Herr Doubler was tiot so happy last evening as in his former efforts. His selection was not good in the first part. The fantasia from “Faust’s” airs is dull and uninteresting. In the second part he played De Beriot’s beautiful air too quickly and without His execution in the variations was good, and he received an encore, to which he responded by repeating “Yankee . Doodle.” Mr Rain ford-was very effective in bis rendering of “the Desert” and “The Village Blacksmith.” The substitution of the harmonium for the piano, where sustained harmony o‘ ecclesiastical music in the accompaniment was required, had a gold effect. We heard it condemned by one able crit c, but we see no greater reason to find fault with such a change when a certain effect is to be produced, than.in passing from “pizzicato” to “arco” on the violin, or from the stringed to the wind instruments iu an orchestra when required. Where artistic taste needed it, every advantage of variety of instrumentation is not only allowable, but advisable. Mrs Smythe sang well last evening, and quite delighted her audience by her arch and clever rendering of “ Cornin’ thro’ the Rye.” She seems quite at home in simple melodies of this class. They suit her voice and style better than more pretentious compositions. The trio “ Sweet is the hour of rest,’’“most b aatifully sung by Mrs Mnythe, Mr Skinner, and Mr Rainford, brought the concert to a close.