The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-03-17
KREISLER GREAT IN BRAHMS,
AND GERICKE ron ONCE REA DS
TSCH AIKOW SKY BOLDLY.

ire Last E,eninE Concert Of the Boston
N,mnhony Orchestra a Notable Enter
talunent -Tschgiko Wsky'S Manfred"
symphony was Magnincently Played.
Tho last evening concert Of the Boston
symphony Orchestra took place last night
&C Carnegie Hal, The program was
concise consisting a. Il did, OF Tschai-
lovsky's Manfred symphony the
Iirahms violin concerto and Baethovens
overture -L9onoro" No. 3. The solo vio-
l.nist was Fritz KUislsr. The audiance
was Of size and character now familiar
q: these admired concerts. The enter
ialnmsnt was worthy Of IL predecessors
ind brought a notable season TO a bril-
liant aud satisfying Gloss
The Manfred symphony IL not played
here a. often as other and more easily
delivered messages OF 1-chaikowsky, yet
il came 70 America speedily enough after
its production in Europe. It was brought
out there in March, 1885, and the following
December Theodore Thomas made II known
to New York.
In those days SIR Thomas was very active
IN preaching the gospel Of the great Russian
master. In recent years, however, the
fourth fifth and sixth symphonies have
held the stage, while this most intimate and
eloouent exposition OF Byrohio ideals and
moods has been relegated to the background.
Balaklrew. who suggested the subject TO
'rsohaikowsky and even drafted scheme
Of the work for him. first proposed It to
Berlloz. who declined the task on account
Of bic age.
,Nfa NJ stt nV,hDFyiu0 tho thou Rita
Of Byron was not happy, and the Harold
IN Italy" symphony Is a feeble travosty on
one Of tbs most splendid flights OF sus-
tanned Imagination in English literature.
Ralakrew himself shrank from the setting
Of Manfred because it was not sympa-
rhetic to him, but he was right in his opinion
that /. would swift Tschaikowsky
Gloom, tragedy, passionate melancholy
and warming love were familiar moods OF
this composer's music and Byron's INTRO
spective morbdity and respondent phil
osophy moved him TO influential utterance.
This Manfred symphony, a work OF un-
even power indeed rises in is most potent
passages TO a plane of crushing sorroV
and tragic desperation, almost, II not quite,
equallinR the Pathetic
The scherzo, delineating the interview
Of Manfred with the witch OF the Alps Is
one Of Tschsikowskys most airy and pic
uresque compositions In lighter tone paint :
ing. The slow movement Is beautliul
exposition Of the peace Of the mountains
among which Manfred vainly sought rest
for his perturbed spirit, while the finale
r ises to impressive heights OF tragic eX-
pressiyeness.
MIR Gsricke, az a rIle. does not vibrate
in sympathy with music OF this kind. but
last night he surpassed himself hlS read
ing was eloquent and adequate. Pre-
serving the perfect balance Of he orchestra
and all Its Weait u OF tonal beauty, ne hSSs!-
theless gave abundant power 20 the forte
passages and swept through dynamic
scale OF satisfying range He used his
means 10 achieve a splendid end, and ht'
Interpretation will long dwell In the memories
OF music lovers. Tho orchestra responded
to his wishes with a superb performance.
Day unto day uttereth speech az 10 the
empty futilty Of the ancient description
OF the Brahms work as concerto against
the violin This composition, which was
sometime accepted with doubts, IL now
hailed with exclamation. II j. beloved
number In the repertOry Of great viOlinists
who alone may hope to set forth lie con-
tent 20 the inspiration OF the popuace
Fritz Kreisler played it last night Ike
master.
This artist Is making giant strides He
has grown even within the limits Of the
J present season. He Is a bigger man to-
, day than he was when he landed here IN
I the autumn, His performance OF the first
. movement Of the concerto last night was
I simply tremendous. Not only did he give
{ the music an uplifting Interpretation, but
poured into it such a flood Of tempera.
: ment that he made it glow with the fire Of
genius. His playing Of the cadenza WAS
a burst Of the very highest virtuOsity, that
= virtuosity which unites the holGest and
most dazzling technic with the fines. musical
Q qualities.
I He played the slow movement with raw
J ishing tone and exquisite poetry, and the
: final one with brilliancy and insight On
u the whole, II was one Of the big violin per-
formauues Of the season and raised Kreisler
in the esteem Of connoisseurs. Mr.. Hess
! concert me lister Of the orchestra, conducted
the accompaniment sympathetically.