Symphony Concert.

The programme for the second concert last night was as follows: Beethoven, Symphony in B flat No. 4; Wagner, Prelude, "Lohengrin;" Saint Saens, Danse Macabre; Saint-Saens, Rondo Capriccioso for violin; Mendelssohn, Wedding March.

There has been much discussion as to whether the symphony should come at the beginning, at the end, or in the middle of the programme. Wherever it had come last evening no one could have failed to enjoy the manner in which Mr. Nikisch gave the fourth symphony of Beethoven. His conceptions are always so excellent that one feels quite justified in taking them as standard, but if he has any fault it is that of being a trifle sentimental. The introductory adagio, as also the adagio third movement, might have seemed to some tastes a little exaggerated, but altogether the performance was by far the most satisfactory that has been heard here within recent years. The Lohengrin prelude showed the conductor in his element. Although there was a slight lack of precision among the violins in the extreme high passages with which the number begins and ends, yet as a whole the effort was inspiring, and to judge from the applause it had the prelude was the most popular number of the evening. The two Saint-Saens selections were very happily chosen. In the first, Mr. Adamowski had a chance to show his good taste and fine technique without the pedantry of a concerto and Mr. Nikisch appeared to great advantage in portraying the grotesque humour of the Danse Macabre. It is too bad that some other part of the Mendelssohn Midsummer Night's Dream music was not given instead of the Wedding March. The latter has what with many is a merit, familiarity; but many of the other numbers are quite as beautiful and do not need this added recommendation.