The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1897-12-01
FIRST SYMPHONY
CONCERT OF SEASON
The Society Scored Big Success Last
Night at the Lyceum.
GODARD'S SYMPHONY PLAYED
The First Orchestral Number Has
Never Been Surpassed in the Work
orthe Socicty--Thc Closing Allegro
Enthrailed the Ear--PianO Work OF
Miss Rosa Koompci Met with Un-
qualified Approval-- Miss Timber
man in Excellent Voice.

Miss Rosa koompcI Met with Un-
qualified Approval-- Timber
man in Excellent voice.
The symphony society scored an
other great success last night in its
first concert of the season at the Ly-
Ceum theatre. The audience was large,
yet not as large as the merit of the
event demanded. Much had been eX-
pected of the orchestral work, but few.
even of the most critical listeners were
prepared for the splendid progress of
the performers and the superb results
of their long and wcurisome labors.
That in their estimation the delight
Of pursuing art is happy reward, is
proved by their devotion through many
discoura gements and through months
of sacrifice. Particularly is this true
of MIR. HemberGer. who possesses the
inspiration and the temperament to
hold i'm loyal. earnest band these tai
cnted students.
1t would he q great joy to hear such
music as that of last evening from any
orchestra. hut to have mingled with
the aesthetic pleasure distinct pride
in the local organization, is To give the
public appearances of our symphony
society unique place in the hearts of
our citizens
II is a great pity that Scranton audi
ences are so proverbially cold in out
ward demonstration Of appreciation,
but it was a fact that last night an
| unusual amount of applause was heard.
GODARD's SYMPHONY.
1T Il,
| first orchestral number, has never been
| surpassed in the work Of the society.
| The majestic theme Of the Macstosb
movement was interpreted with great
| intelligence. the beautiful harmony re-
| peating it's charming motive into the
swell Of cathedral music, From this
We're gracefully drawn the bright PHI
cato passages producing an exception
| ally brilliant effect.
| The wood instruments in succeeding
| interme2Zo gave lovely pastoral
| touch to the subject while the noble
! theme i'm the third movement added a
| dignity To- the graceful measure. So
| rapidly did one movement follow an
| other in this composition that the
| beauty of the presto was scarcely re-
| allied before the strange intricate col
| lection OF harmonics in the closing al
| legro euthralled the ear.
Tho next orchestra number was one
| Of Mr.. Hcmbcrgers own composition,
| suite Erotique" in three move
ments for the strings. 1t contained
| elements Of unusual brilliance and
| force and through it was wrought out
| a rich and fascinating theme. one Of
| the features of this number was the
| brief cello solo by Nj Thomas Rip
| pard, of Wilkes Barre, whose work has
| long since elicited unqualified praise.
The mystical wierl Dance Of the
| Dead" by SaintSaeN-. gave Opportu-
| nifty for much elaboration Of detailed
| effect by the orchestra. 1t is not a
| pleasing theme. but the composition is
one of great vigor and attractivenoss.
| While there are naturally greWSrme
| chords there was also an ineNpliCable
| grace and beauty IL the rendering Of
| the dance music at various periods last
| evening. again the careful training Of
| the wood winds was evident near the
close. While the shuddcr Of the vio-
| lina at this point was given with dram
attic effect.
PLAYED BY REQUEST.
The last numbCr vas the overture TO
| Flotow's "StraGolla,' a fayorite with
the Symphony audiences and played
by request on this occasion. 1t was
| probably the one best liked by the
| popular ear.
| Miss Rosa kutmpel met with unquGl-
flied approval in her piano work. Her
selections were not at all of the rat
tlety-bang order ana possibly may have
| disappointed some listeners owing TO
-. Il 1,
the Interpretation of an artist and the
| technique of the musician of the best
schools. Her rendering OF the Weber
| Concerto with the orchestra was re-
| 2"ived with much applause.
The sweet pastoralc followed by the
dramatic climax was exceptionally well
| interpreted. Her clear presentation of
| the lovely pathetic theme leading to
the fine climax was 50 much appreci-
ateG that a repetition of this portion
of the number was heard with added
enjoyment after insistont cEcores She
| played Schumann's AT Evening" soul
! fully following with Brassens adapta-
| ticn of WagnCr's Die Walkure," the
| last scene Of act iii. A an encore she
! gave the dreamy beautiful "Spinnerin'
| by RAN.
Miss Timbcrman. who is heard in
this city far too seldom, was in excel
lent voice and gave with fine dramatic
! effect the rrCitative and aria from
! IIandol's oratorio Semele. Her rich
contralto was afforded excellent scope
i'm this selection but the orchestration
was rather heavy even for her power
full contralto. As an encore she rem
dered artistically ana with feeling
The Last Chord"