496 THE MUSICIAN ABOUT TOWN. 
it less characteristic, much less varied, and still less natural. For 
his own interest’s sake, it is to be hoped that, in future, Mr. Barnett 
will be careful of expending months of anxious thought and beauti- 
ful writing upon an unworthy subject. 
The first Philharmonic Concert of the season took place on the 
4th of March. The two symphonies of the evening were, Beetho- 
ven in p No. 2, and Mozart inc No. 1. The latter has been less 
frequently performed by this society than the other works of that 
consummate master: the result, no doubt, of accident rather than 
intention ; for it is throughout fully worthy of his fine genius, and 
perfectly rational taste. However bold and daring may be the 
flights of Mozart’s fancy, he never for one moment is fantastical, or 
commits himself by an affectation of any kind. Not only had he 
the most varied musical genius, but it was at the same time the most 
justly balanced, and the most uniformly under controul. The in- 
tention, the design, and the carrying out, of any composition by 
Mozart, however complicated, is as clearly an affair of contrivance 
and selected combination, as to a mathematician would be the ar- 
ranging of all the points of a syllogism to construct some high ar- 
gument. His is the direct reverse of a great portion of the modern 
style of writing ; where unrestrained wildness is called bold origi- 
nality ; a string of disjointed passages, freedom in composition ; and 
a contempt of design and order, independence of thought. Mozart 
aimed at being understood. 
After the first symphony, Miss Birch sang, and with praisewor- 
thy care, the recitative and aria from the “ Cosi fan tutte”’—“ Per 
pieta, ben mio, perdono ;” a piece eminently calculated to display a 
voice of extensive compass, at the same time combining the most ex- 
quisite melody with tenderness of expression. The very accompa- 
niments to this song may rank among the triumphs of Mozart’s 
skill. Mendelssohn’s last piano forte concerto (No. 2) followed :-— 
the same which was played by the composer himself at the last Bir- 
mingham festival, and by Mrs. Anderson at the first Philharmonic 
concert last year. Mad. Dulcken performed it upon the present 
occasion, and with distinguished brilliancy ; most especially the fi- 
nale, which is as difficult a moyement to express in all its vigour, 
with its lights and shades of expression, its leanings and sudden cres- 
cendos, as in its subject and treatment it is original and great. The 
andante, which flows in the most graceful and natural manner out 
of the introductory movement, is our favourite ; and it is, perhaps, 
as charming a combination of melody and harmony, as this eminent 
young genius has hitherto produced. 
ea 
