The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-03-11
SYMPHONY CONCERT
A GREAT SUCCESS
Fine Orchestral Performances and
Splendid Violin Solos.

The Washington Symphony Orchestra
yesterday performed the numbers Of its
fourth concert OF the current season at
the New National Theater II was as
sisted by Herr Hugo Hermann. a vio-
linist Of wonderful power. who was
heard in Washington for the first time
and greeted by an audience OF large
numbers and marked social distinction.
The entertainment was sufficiently no
table for the fine performance OF Herr
Herman. but it derived stilI more dis
tinction from the marked Improvement
to be noted in the playing OF the orches-
ira.
From concert 10 concert this body has
been making great strides. It's first per
Torrance was far from mediocre. and fl
was a common belief that having begun
on so high a plane, the orchestra must
advance slowly from year to year This
is now proven 20 be far wrong. As the
second concert was notably better than
the first. 50 the third was an advance
over the second: and now this last con
cert Of all marks a progress even fur
Their The lesafarship was manifestiy
capable Every branch Of the band re-
sponded TO MIR. De Koven's baton read
iiy. confidently. and tremendously. Shad-
ings, crescendos, piano passages.
nuances. and climaxes were all charm
ingly executed. The strings played with
rare unison and fine tone. The wood
winds kept abreast OF the strings. But
the most marked Improvement was TO be
noted in the horns. which have hitherto
been less efficient than the other instru-
ments Of the orchestra Yesterday. in
deed. the horns were entirely accepta-
Bile. and they held out a very fair prom
Use Of correcting the only notable weak
ness Of Mr.. De Koven's organization.
The program included an overture.
Tanning Of the Shrew," by A. Norton
Wight, heard for the first time in Amer
lea; the Beethoven Concerto for the viO-
lin. OD. 81, in D major. for Herr Heer-
mann. and orchestra; the now familiar
Peer Gynt Suite" of Grieg; the prelude
70 Act III. of 'Lohengrin,' and two vio-
lin solos by Herr Hermann. All in all.
these selections. and the arrangement Of
yesterday constituted a most delightful
program. The overture was the only
number which was not heard with great
favor
In the concerto the vioIinist achieved
distinct triumph. Herr Hermann is
easily the most truly musical vioiinist
who has been heard in Washington for
years. Not all the KubeIiks or Kocians
the world can ever know could produce
a tone as pure. warm. simple, and true
as his Itfis as liquid and sympathetic
as the best human voice. and as sure as
the notes on a printed page. Finally,
the performer bore himself with a mod
esty and simplicity OF manner which
predisposed all his hearers. as he him
self was manifestly predicposed. 10
think only OF his music. Once
or twice there were slight touches
of nervousness. OF which. perhaps. Meth
er Kubelik nor Kocian would have been
guilty. but all the nervousness in the
world could not weigh down the spIen-
did rich tone Of Herr Heermann's violin
or rob him OF his eminence as a must
clan.
The Peer Gynt Suite and the selection
from Lohengrin presented the orchestra
at its greatest advantage. In the for
mer number the band played so unitedIy
and followed Mr.. De Koven so readily
mat the performance compared favor
ably with any other Interpretation OF
this work Washington has heard It's
four movements are now well known 10
all coucertgOers. but If there were any
in the theater yesterday who had not
yet heard this work they heard il at its
best.
From yesterday onward the Washing
ton Symphony Orchestra ranks as a
splendid and notably capabIe band cred
liable alike TO its members individually.
TO Mr.. De Koven. and to the community |
whose name fl bears It's claim 10 sup
port is no longer based upon local pride
II now stands firmly on a base Of mu-
steal excellence. d A