The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1900-02-27
SYMPHONY CONCERT.

IhpHy OItHtSlTu Is utltlflllC u SDlHS
degree the position it should firmly
mold In the appreciation of the people
of this city. That this appreciation has
long been due Is unmistakable. The
pity of it is that the Scranton public is
often as dilatory in according the Just
need of encouragement to true merit
as in working reform in municipal af-
fairs.
There was full house last night,
and this means a great deal for a con-
cert in Scranton and especially on such
u cold night, when the warm fireside
offers such charms. Tho programme
was undoubtedly the best yet given by
the organization. A marked improve
ment was evident in every department
over the status of last year. More con-
fdence, more artistic capacity were un-
deniably prominent in the ensemble
work. In no respect was the advance
more emphatic than in the accompani-
ment to Evan Williams solos. The def
erence to the theme, the recognition OF
the pre-emnencc of the voice i'm these
numbers made a most graceful contrast
to much orchestral accompaniments
heard even from far more prctentious
| combinations.
In all this the highest tribute Of
praise Is due Professor Theodore Hem
berger, whose great gifts as a leader
have heretofore received but mcagre
acknowledgement on this side of the
water. That he has not been over-cs-
| timating the material at hand in this
city is also beginning to be realized.
The great Eighth symphony Of
Beethoven filled the first part of the
! programme, and as all audiences are
| most enchanted with that which is
| familiar and therefore dear, the alle-
| gretto movement naturally was anticl-
nated with most cagcrness. 1t was
! given with spirited delicacy of inter-
| probation and Il perfection of accord
which surprised many fastidious list
| eners. The minuet was a striking cX-
ample Of the capabilities of the or
| chestra under protracted training, and
the last movement of the symphony
| was no less marked in the exposition
! of It's uplitted sentiment.
/ The audience cared most for the scenic
| splendor and the swing of the Corona
| ton March, and on this occasion, as
| on many others, the popular verdict
| goes to Meyerbeer's vrile strains, the
! martial ring, the futtering pennants,
! the splendor of his composition. The
concluding overture by Auber was ex-
tremely we'll played, the noble sway
| ing harmony being a fitting number for
| the finale. Nothing, however, was
| more definitely pleasing than the eX-
quisite, pastel-like intermezzo from
| Protheroe's oratorio, "St. Peter" II
was poetry unhindered by consonants
untrammeled by mecha nism, and it was
given with the distinct idea OF identi.
flying it's charm.
! Evan Williams received an ovation,
one that was continuous and insistent
from his first appearance on the plat
| form. Indeed the audience was
scarcely generous to him when, after
his initial number which was exhaust
i've in character he was evidently Sc
reluctan: to sing an encore. his rem
| dition of the Meistersinger solo was
Il triumph of art. Above the signing
OF the violins like the sound of the
laurel tree of which he sang, lifted the
splendid voice, full of the dramatic
fervor, the rich coloring. without which
| Wagnerian music loses its soul.
The encore, "AE Through the Night
to which Mr.. j. Willis Conant played
q most sympathetic accompaniment
was the antithesis of the former solo
With its dim mysticism, its thrilling
pathetic sentiment, the great tenor
reached the summit of artistic feeling
Naturally all interest centcred il
the Gounod number Lend Me Youl
.Aiu." from the Queen Of Sheba. Those
who heard Mr.. Williams sing this be-
fore. held yet the haunting memory
of his tones. Those who had never
listened to him previously Ielt an in
eXpliCablc tension of the nerves be
cause of the eXpectant atmosphere.
Overcoming a slight hoarseness be
fore the close of the recitation, III
gave the most adequate conception O.
the aria in it, magnificent climax tha
could be imagined. The resonan
beauty of his climax in this great SOLE
is something seldom eQualled on tn,
operate stage. 1t affected his listener!
like an electrical current of emotion
t.e was so gracious as to give TIVE
responses to encores. concluding Will
the dainty tender, Sing Me Song o
Arabv."
1t Is to be hoped that Mr.. Eval
Williams will pay us many a visit.