The age-herald., 1900-03-15
THEODORE THOMAS
 AT THE AUDITORIUM
Soulful Music by the Famous Leader and His Orchestra.
A MAGNIFICENT PROGRAMME
Rendition Was Masterful-Large and Fashionable Audience Charmed Beyond Expression-Finan-
 cial and Artistic Success

The superb Chicago orchestra, conducted by Theodore Thomas. has come and gone. and the unanimous verdict of the fifteen hundred music lovers who heard it must be that of a Boston critic-its work simply impoverished praise.
 The audience last night was the most brilliant that has assembled in the Audlto- rum since the May festival, and was most appreciative and enthusiastic.
 The program opened with double num- ber from Tannhauser-the march and over ture, both familiar to Birmingham concert goers. The overture has been played here oftener than any other great program se- lection, but all former performances of it were commonplace compared to the rendi- ton of Thomas forces. The Pilgrims Chorus" never sounded so beautiful never sweiied into anthem with strains so majes- tic as 1t did under Thomas wand. The figures and counter-fgures of the violins were perfect and the sonorous quality of the brass was surpassingly fine. Surely Wagner himself never heard his great overture hetter rendered.
 The secopd number was Schubert's B mil nor sympho& an two movements. better known as "Fhe Unfinished" Of all the master conf Posers Schubert is classed as the most popular. and of all of schu'bert's orchestral work the one heard last night is the favorite. While its spirit and it's form and treatment are purely classic it can be followed at first hearing, like all of Schubert's symphonies, with quiet ecstasy" and without mental strain. In the first movement a plaintive melody is ever recurring on the violoncellos and the second movement is rich in themes and melody. Thomas read the work and con ducted it as a master inspired. More per- feet attention to the subtle passages could not have been imagined. Nothing on the programme was quite so much enjoyed perhaps by the musicians present as the symphony.
 The next number was violin solo-a bril- liant and tuneful composition of two move- ments by Lalo-performed by Leopold Kramer, and in response to an encore this artist played short piece unaccompanied. Kramer revealed a clear tone and his technique was in every respect musican1y.
 The first part of the programme closed with Weber's Invitation to t1e Dance" orchestrated recently by Felix Weingart- ner of Berlin. Those who were familiar with Berlioz's orchestration of this charming piece were more than de- lighted to hear the new arrange ment. As excellent the old score is. weingartner has made many tm- provements, and the "Invitationr will be dn Et,fn sensuous beauty and the wild whirl of the dance dt provoked almost as much applause as any thing performed during the even ing.
 After an intermission of fifteen minutes came Bizet's suite, "Arlesiennt," quaint and melodic, strongly suggestive of the picturesque life and innocent pleasure of the simple Aries folk.
 This was followed by Handeps Largo" a familiar church-like air, an excerpt, by the way, from an opera and not from sacred work as many persons have imag- ined, and here again the solo violinist dis tinguished himself.
 And the Largo was so popular that Mr Thomas, contrary to his rule, re- sponded to the persistent applause by re- beating the second half of it.
 The religious strains of Hande had scarcely died away when ''The Beautiful Blue Danube" had caught the audience dn its ravishing spell. This best known of Strauss waltzs is played and played, but Thomas interpretation of 1t was revela- aHon. The way he phrased 1t and shaded it made it a tone poem indeed. By many. no doubt, it was esteemed the gem of the con- cert.
 The programme closed with Tschaik- owskys splendid novelty "Italien Capric- cio.'' Full of variety, teeming with airs, sad and joyous, with trumpet calls and with startling effects, and bringing into play the entire strength of the orchestra, in- cluding the harp, and all the brasses, reeds. drums, cymbals, bells and tambour- ines, 1t was a fitting close to as rare a tone banquet as was ever heard in this country.
 Theodore Thomas ds not only the great. est interpreter of orchestral music ir America, but he is the quietest and most graceful conductor that has ever appeared in Birmingham.
 The concert was financially successful During the intermission, B. Steiner, wht acted as treasurer for the guarantee com mittee, handed the treasurer of the or osaestra a draft on New York for $1,0o0 and got receipt in full As the audience was breaking up MT Steiner said to th' representative of the Age-Herald: 'Th' orchestra has been paid, the rent of th' Auditorium has been jaid, and have more than enough money ae1t to pay all tht local bills. Mir. Thomas is sure to come again next year."
 Lack of Ventilation
 Charleston, w. Va, March 1.-The coro