The Portland daily press., 1901-01-22

MAINS FESTIVAL ORCHESTRA.

suoh large numbers there should be In
augurated, as was done last night o.
City hall, q mid. winter festival bringing
tnsether our Maine Festival Orch esera
with a large chorus and an artistic OF
world-vxids rsnown. such an occasion
WAS not allowed to pass without . deep
sense of public appreciation, for 10 called
ont q large and fashionable audiencs
who must have felt that the nrst scene
in our musicaI history OF . new century
justified the belief that a greater develop
ment was in store for us than any Jet
attained, grsat as ths strides have besn
during the past decade. 10 reach such
heights, however, first and foremost
| encouragement and continued support
must be given cur Maine Festival
Orchestra, a body OF talented young mu-
slcians, by putting them on basis OF
permanence not alone from q mu sical
view point, but q financial one as well.
AS a potent move In this direction the
delightful programme Of last evening was
arranged, under direction OF William Il.
Chapm man, and to our aid came goodly
number OF Boston's best artists whose
contribution to the success Of the affair
cannot be easily measured in words.
The Maine section contains part OF
the best talent OF the state and consid ar
ing the limited amount OF rehsarsals
Mr.. Chapman has been abls TO give them,
remembering that the Boston contingent
did not arrive until yesterday, the work
OF the orchestra is very remarkable, The
string section is one Of ths finest ever
brought to Portland. With wonderful
carrying power they combine marvel
Iously sweet, flexible tone and correct
information, and their ensembls work
ia hiQly creditable. The woodwind SEQ
tion is perhaps less dslicately shaded,
but 1t is good, particularly the first clari-
net and oboe playing. The material In
the brnss section Is sxcellent and with
frequent rehearsals 1t would not be SO
Ioverpowerinz and sslf-asssrtive In the
softer passages, tine cornets and trorn-
bones at times being too prominent,
The ensemble playing in Mendelssohn's
"Ruy BIis'' was highly praiseworthy'
and excepting the loud basses anu per-
haps a bit too heavy cello repetition OF
the violin figures at the opening of Ehs
most ideal. The phrasing Of the strings
was notably delicate. OF the "Egmont,"
the same characteristic work OF the
strings may be mentioned. Every
nusnce was turned with delightful deli
cacy and fine musical feeling. The effects
were generally good and the orchestral
work showed what could have been done
with more rehearsals.
The climax of the evening was the CO.
J lossal ''1s12 overture OF Tschaikowsky.
In this number the orchestra was at its
best and the balance of parts was perfect.
With mastery hand Mr.. Chapman un-
ravelled the tangled skein OF oontrapun-
tai figures and brought out every theme
with Its proper dynamic force. guiding
surely the construction OF the grand en-
sembIe to Its culmination. This number
was a great triumph for both orchestra
and conductor, deserving of the hearty
and long oontinued d.applause which greet
ed its performance.
In the "Traums,'' based on themes
from the second act Of wagner's "Tristan
and Isolde" Dr. Wasgatt carried OF the
honors. His playing was refined and
delicate, and evidenced depths OF true
musicianship which are vouchsafed to
few, even among the great artists One
of the characteristic Wagnerian effects In
the whole second act OF the opera is a
peculiar sighting swell by the wood
wind, and the only defect In the rem
dition OF this number was the fact that
the wood wind outdid the effect and
, drowned the solo In thoss places. 9th
erwise the whols number was q model of
fine ensemble worth. The old favori te
"Danoe," from Griea's peer Gynt,"
was beautifully played, rs were also the
two weird little dances from the
Tsohaikowsky suite. Miss Shaw's ohli'
cato deserves special mention, The
Lfszt "Rhapsodie" was not up to the
} standard Of the other orchestral work
The slow movement was played with
special rhythm and considerable intensity
OF aypsy fsellng, but In the "Friska'' ths
tempo set was so rapid that elsarness
was sacrificed to brilIiancy and the effect
was not pleasing and some characteristic
themes were not brought ont with suftic-
lent distinctness because OF lack OF unity
lof the strings. Ths Schubert "March
Miiisaire,'' received q robust, healthy
treatment and made tine closing num-
ber.
: The chorus singing was good through
Il tout The attacks were excellent and the
: expression and rhythm all that could
be desired. The sopranos and altos were
8 particularly rich and full and the chosen
: numbers met that very favorable and
enthusiastic reception which were 40.
q corded them at previous public per
: formanos.
t Madame Maconda made her usual CON
' quest of the hearts of Portiand's musi-
cal public and prepossessed her audiencs
. as soon as she stepped on thstage fer her
f personality is as magnetic and winning
, as ever. Everything this gifted artists
undertakes Is dons so nicely that on'
Hs- x-ralsa hY,e tnadaonafaIu