Evening star., 1900-12-17
AMUSEMENTS.

PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA Co>
CERT.-If, as has been stated the future
of the new Washington Philharmonic Or
chestra depended upon the success whlch IL
should make at it's first public appearance
those who were fortunate enough 10 near
this excellent organization at the Columpla
Theater last night have no fear FOR "nat
the future holds in store In the way OIL
success for the new venture. An audience
of generous proportions. made up OF some
of the best known people at the national
capital and enthusiastic to most encour-
aging degree, greeted it. while those who
went to criticise, either in friendly or
captious way, were forced to enter INTO the
general praise that was lavlshly bestowed.
The concert demonstrated that Washington
is amply capable of producing and main
tanning symphony organization such as
the Washington philharmonic Orchestra,
and that the production OF GOOD music py
capable musicians is something that Wash
ington will always support. 1t may be said
that since the Boston Symphony Orchestra
cut Washington from its visiting list there
has been no occasion that has appealed or
should have appealed to Washingtonians
SO much as the concert last evening. There
was delicacy Of shading, a knowledge OF
effect and a muscianly finish In evidence
that belonged to a much older organization,
and while much Of the credit is, of course,
due to the individual members of the or
chestra for their skill, the lions share must
be accorded to Mr.. Santelmann. who has
worked so hard and so faithfully in order
to get his force into the shape that the
standard in this class of music demanded.
The program, while rather longer than
necessary was made up of the ''Leonore'
overture. by Beethoven, which was given
in almost faultless style, followed by Wag
ner's Elm Albumblatt,'N and the prelude
to 'Lohengrin," in which the value of the
strings was most fully brought out Raff's
symphony. I'm Walde, given in its ~
fiv~ftt nf fha 90 Of fhn
evening, and it's production was noted with
marked interest. In no way did either
chestra leader fail in portraying the
weird, sweet strains Of this remarkable
composition. while in the concluding num-
bers. two Slavonic dances, by Dvorak, a
virility and force, dash and swing. were
exhibited that belonged to much stronger
organization in point of numbers. Not even
excepting the Boston Symphony, rarely has
an orchestra been heard here in which the
parts were so nicely balanced, or by which
better effects in pianissimo-the great bane
Of orchestral work-were produced. Added
to this a most perfect harmony of the in
struments and an individual capacity
among the musicians of the highest order
Of excellence, together with a most capable
leader, such as Mr.. Santelmann is, and the
result cannot but be successful in every
sense Of the word. To those who knew Mr.
Santlemann only as bandmaster his work
as the conductor Of an orchestra came as
somewhat OF revelation. The sooist Of
the evening was Martinus Sieveking pian-
ist, who has been heard mere before with
the Boston Symphony. At that time Mr.
sieveking obtained only the most fulsome
praise. but, If words permitted, the golden
opinions which he won then would have to
be augmented in order to do full justice to
his work last night. He played concerto
for piano and orchestra by Sergey Rach-
maninoff, giving as an encore a Chopin
etude. and later played three solos, a min
uet by MOszkowski, a song without words
by Mendelssohn and Won Weber's Motto
Perpetuo." giving as an encore to the last
named a prelude by Rachmoninofr. Mr.
Sieveking, in addition to his wonderful
technique and his power Of Interpretation
displays the true musical Temperament that
is so essential, and withal, lacks the man
nerisms which often take away the
effect from the performances Of some great
artists. If the soloists to be heard during
the season Of the Philharmonic Orchestra
are up to the standard set by Mr. Sieve
king there will be nothing to be desired for
the future of this organization. The next
concert will be given Sunday evening, Feb
ruary 3.