The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-01-28
THE PHILHARMONIC SOCIETY.
MIR. SAFONOFFrS CONDUCTING
AROUSES ENTHUSIASM.
An Inspiring Interpretation or Tschai-
kovSky's Pathetic syrnphony-Phil.
harmonic Players Guido Themselves
Jose Wanna da Motta Also Plays

The Philharmonic public rehearsal at
Carnegie Hall yesterday afternoon was
the second conducted this season by the
popular Russian conductor. Wassili Safonon.
The programme consisted OF Beethoven
second symphony, the Schubert Liszt WAN
derer' fantasia for piano and orchestra
and Tschaikowsky's Pathetic symphony
The pianist was jose Wanna da Motta,
TWAS announced early and often that this
would be his first appearance in America.
The record. however, ia hard TO deceive
1t stands in black and white on the printed
page that at Palmer's Theatre, on Deo 49,
1892, at a concert OF Johannes Wolf VIOLIN
list, and Joseph Holman, 'cellist. Anna
Buroh tsubsequently Mooney Burch) 80
prano, and Jose da Motta. pianist, did
there appear and perform sundry pieces
OF music with voice. piano and Instruments
Mr. da Motta at that time impressed the
present writer as a player OF good schooling
and respectable technical accomplishments.
but no great depth Of musical personality,
His couch was found to be good, but married
by a too generous use OF the sustaining
pedal This fault the pianist has remedied.
His touch IL now pleasing, and his enunol-
alton of his themes Is generally clear.
In fact he gave such performance OF the
-Wanderer" fantasia IA any well equipped
concert pianist might be expected to give.
1t was straightforward, generally correct.
and IN some passages exceIentiy shaded.
Beyond that there IL really nothing to ue
said MIR ola Motta is n respectable pianist
and has his uses The Philharmonic con
ccerts are hardly the field for him.
Mr.. Safonoh's reading of Beethoven's
second symphony was not revolutionary
L. ..ts,
Russia and would hardly be guilty of any
thing revolutionary just now, even in the
music of Beethoven 1t was n generously
warm reading somewhat forced at times,
vet on the whole attractive by reason OF its
vigorous individuality.
But this conductor ~ more at home in the
music of Ischaikowsky. His reading of
the Pathetic symphony was made known
to this public last season and deal OF talk
II caused. We have had many interpre-
tations Of this glowing masterpiece but no
other has penetrated quite 80 deep az this
of Safonoh IL is so full-blooded, so fierce
IN It's blazing passion, so reckless in the on
slaught of its third movement. 80 saturated
with the misery of heartsickness, world
WEAKNESS and despair in the first and last
movements. and withal so amazing in the
effect IT. has on the Philharmonic Society
that II deserves all the praise II has received
The way in which the fathers responded
to the demands of the conductor recalled
the remark OF an intelligent woman who
heard the Symphony Society play Tschai-
kowsky's third suite under the composers
baton. She said 41hey did not know
they couid play like that
After the third movement. which was
hailed with accianations, MIR Safonof |
caused the entire orchestra to rise and bow
Acknowledgements.
II was a proud moment for the con-
script fathers, and they deserv ed their
elevation They played magnihcently
The bassoons in the first movement went
TO pieces for a moment but otherwise all
was admirable rhe bass choir especially
covered itself with glory. MIR Safonof
is soon going home to Russia. What
pity But let u- console ourselves. The
symphony will remain here.