CONCERTS.
The Philharmonic Society's concert of Monday last was distinguished by the first appearance in this country of Herr Rubinstein, a young pianist front tonna, with whose fame that capital and other parts of Germany are ringing at present. He played a concerto of his own, with the full orchestra, and likewise two smaller unaccompanied pieces. His performances made a remarkable impression, from the entire nevelt}, of his style ; but his merits have given rise to very discordant opinions among the cognoscenti. About his powers of execution there is no mistake; they are astounding, and oven eclipse those of Thalberg himself But it was hardly possible to find two persona in the room at one on the subject of his music. He belongs to the "young German" school ; he throws established models to the winds, and is guided only by his own ideas and principles of art. Hence it was evidently impossible to comprehend the design of his largo and complicated work ; for it has often been found by experience, that, in music, forms entirely new are not perceived to ho forms at all. In tho midst of the darkness,' however, there wore bright gleams of sunshine ; and we shall not be surprised to find the name of Rubinstein as popular in England as it is in Germany. Another object of interest was a symphonic work of Sebastian Bach, performed for the first time in this country,—where, in sooth, the musio of this great old master, though a good deal talked about, is very little known. It is a " suite " or series of movements, in a form usual among the works of Bach and Handel ; a form which was the precursor of the modern orchestral symphony. It is full of charming melodies, and as fresh and graceful in its instrumentation as if it had been written yesterday.
Mullah's performance of Mozart's .Requietn and Mendelssohn's Lobgesang, at St. Martin's Hall on Wednesday evening, was another note lo concert of the week. Mr. Hullah had his usual staff of principal singers,—Miss Banks, Miss Palmer, Miss Moss, Mr. Sims Reeves, and Mr. Thomas. The performance, consequently, had no new feature ; but it was excellent and successful ; both the solos and choruses being warmly applauded by a crowded audience.
This is the season of benefit concerts. Mrs. Anderson's, on Monday morning at Her Majesty's Theatre, was on a grand scale, and employed the whole strength of Mr. Lumley's establishment. On Wednesday, Madame Enderssohn, the favourite singer, had a pleasant matinee at the Beethoven Rooms in Harley Street. In the evening, there was a concert at Exeter Hall, given by Madame Griever the pianist and Herr Goifrie the violin-player. Here was a great gathering of performers, among whom was one novelty—Mademoiselle Westenstrand, a Swedish lady just arrived from Stockholm : she is an admirable singer, remarkable for the compass of her voice, which reaches with facility the F in alt. In a wild Swedish air, full of singular flights and feats of execution, she reminded us of her countrywoman Jenny Lind.
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