8 FEBRUARY 1834, Page 8

PHILHARMONIC CONCERTS.

Tut: first trial night for the ensuing season was onThursday last. Four new Overtures, by ROMBERG, LUCAS, MENDELSSOHN, and BERLIOZ, and a new Sinfonia by POTTER, were rehearsed. As these pieces have now to await the decision of the Directors for performance or rejection, we shall abstain from noticing any other than the new French Overture ; which, we hope, has been beard for the last time. BERLIOZ is ii yrnlitg writer, and this Overture was sent to the Society as the greatest effort of the French school. We presume this to be the composition ‘vhich a contemporary critic eulogized for its new effects. New, theycertainly were, and strange; the result of a diseased craving after some unheard musical combination. The Overture, as announced oil its titlepege, is designed to portray " d'atroces clameurs —des plaintes—des menaces—des paroles de mort—des pleurs—du sang et du feu."

" Gun, drum, pistol, blunderbuss, and thunder !" The composer's design is realized, by the employment of every noisy instrument that can be pressed into his service (including a gong!)— blowing, thumping, braying, clashing, tingling, scraping, shrieking, squeaking—until the " burly burly's done." And this is the chefdeclare of the present instrumental school of France !