The San Francisco call., 1906-04-11
STRENGTHEN
UNIVERSITY
ORCHESTRA

BERKELEY. April 10.-The university SYM
phony orchestra has been greatly strengthened
for the Wagner programme 10 be rendered at
the concert by Professor Wolfes men next
Thursday afternoon. The thirty-eight percus-
sion and wind and sxtytwo stringed instru-
ments. the additions to. the orchestra. and the
fact that by Thursday AFTERNOON it will have
had a total of thirty rehearsals. give PROM
ise of one of the finest programmes yet rem
dered The advance sale Of single admission
tickets for this concert has exceeded that of
any one of the previous concerts. II the day
is as pleasant seems probable from the pres
ent indications the Greek Theater will be
taxed to its full capacity to accommodate the
audience which Will greet Professor Wolfe and
his orchestra on this occasion. Dr. Wolfe him
self is delighted with the work OF the .,,or or
astic in his hopes for pleasant weather in order
that large audience may enjoy the rendition
OF Wagners great composition AS the concert
begins promptly at $3.50 o'clock people desiring
to attend should IL possible, try to be In
their seats by 3;l5, as the moving of the late
comers is very disturbing to those who desire
to hear the music sundisturbed.
Annotations arranged by James Hamilton
Howe are as follows.
Unlike Mozart, Wagner did not appear on
the musical horizon as an infant prodigy. He
was a kapellmester at the age of twenty
three. but it not until the year 1S41 when
works the operas of 'Rienzf and Die F1feg-
ende Hollaender.' He Was then twenty-eight
years old. These two operas are today ad-
mired by many much as are his later
operas. Later he relegated that form to a
place secondary to the declamatory interpre-
tation Of romantic poetry which gave occasion
to his compositions being called the music
OF the future Turner the great English mas
ter of color tones and flights of imagery. did
early beautiful. If more prosaic,. efforts, an
estimate of value which has required great
deal OF study to appreciate their works as
fully as is expected of them.
ss'Tha uralude 'ParSifap fs based three
of the most deeply religious motives in the
office of the knights of the Grail. who from
time to time strengthen themselves for their
spiritual duties by partaking of the COM
munfon, which occasions the Grail itself
is uncovered. The motive that follows is that
of the Grail. which having been heard, the
motive of faith is given with its severe but
powerful outlines and portraying superbiy the
immutability of perfect faith. The rest of
the prelude has the motive of the sacrament
as a basis Its character being. however,
changed so as to express powerful agitation.
thus portraying Amfortas suffering for his sin.
The spear motive is of a deeply sad character
and becomes typical throughout the work of
the sorrow wrought by Amfortas' crime. Thus
in the prelude are depicted the religious duties
which play SO prominent a part in the drama
and also the unhappiness which Amfortas'
ginful forgetfulness Of these duties has brought
upon himself and his knights
1.-The transformation scene. which is a
fine piece of stage illusion occurs as Guerne-
the sacred grove to the hall of the castle OF
the Holy Grail. the orchestra continuing the
various themes entwinfng with one another.
..The Good Friday Charm occurs in the
third act which contains the most beautiful
music written.
''The overture to Tannhauser has enjoyed
a popularity greater than that of the COM
poser's earlier later oyertures Opening
with the song of the pilgrims fine OPP
portunity is afforded the orchestra as the pro-
cession advances and recedes changing into
the seductive strains of the siren goddess and
the attendant music OF the dances that has
entranced and ,captivated the knight. Tam
hauser's responding song rings out. Peals u
boisterous mirth from the train of baccha-tes
alternate with the rhythm OF the dance and
intoxicate the willing subject and object OF
the revelry who finally is carried on by
Venus herself. These revels give play to the
power OF the strings as they suggest night
scene, and the orgie gives place once more
hauser from his thralldom in the full blaze
Of rafr1 Ia Y