The San Francisco call., 1906-04-13
WOLFE LIFTS
THOUSANDS BY
GREATCONCERT

\ The wonder grows of the symphony
concerts, yesterdays programme attract
ing an audience that filled the Greek
Theater even to the aisles. A conserva-
tive estimate numbered 1t at 5000 people,
and the genius of the box Office pointed
to a proud s2324.25 as the days receipts
for the single seats alone. The pro-
gramme. Wagnerian throughout, doubt
less accounted for large percentage OF
the attendance. and the day wooed to
the open.
The audience did justice to both. 1t
was one of the prettiest ever seen here,
IN gay frock and blossoming hat as to
Its plentiful femininity, and shadowed
by sunshades still gayer that turned the
place into a huge flower garden Better
behaved audiences there have been. Five
thousand seems to be about the limit of
the real symphony lovers. The other
thousand or so of the simply curious that
were there yesterday dribbled off between
numbers in a fashion that would have
been rude If they had known any better.
As 1t was, 1T was simply weird.
Emphatically, yesterdays was the best
programme so far presented by the Uni
versity Symphony Orchestra. The men
are coming clearly to understand DIR.
Wolfe: DR.. Wolfe himself is rapidly
achieving that definition, firmness of
beat which he chiefly lacked and the
gained in the ensemble spirit. In sensitive
ness of response and in tonal f1neness.
There was lot of new material in the
orchestra yesterday, some twenty-six
men. engaged especially for the occasion,
which makes the good work of the day
even more remarkable. That is to be the
size of the orchestra ultimately Goo mem,
and one hopes 1t Will be soon. The first
note Of the day, the .Parsifal's Prelude
violins-positively startled with its
beauty.
For once one got enough of the tone,
a round, full, opulent, meaty note that
satisfied to the very core. And
throughout there was the tonal satisfac-
ton; in the majestic tramp of the bass
strings in the Transformation Scene
c'Parsifar): in the brass scream in the
"Tannhauser'' overture; in the massive
turmoil of the Sigfried Death March;
tone enough, and good, clear, fine tone
at that
In inspiration of reading as well as
majesty and sympathy of rendering the
Death March counted up as the most
important achievement of yesterday.
Dr. Wolfe seems to have nothing to
learn either on the poetic or dramatic
side, and his handling of this noblest OF
marches was an example of his best in
both directions. Also. he held his men
here as he has not before held them.
Both the "Parsifaf' Prelude and the
Transformation Scene showed an ad-
mirable degree of polish. finish, in their
performance, the former particularly.
Well given also was the Good Friday
Spell The Magic Fire Scene went not SO
well In places, the flutes rather drawing
along instead of sparkling, and a general
uncertainty of ensemble making itself
felt There was the same feel In the
"Tannhauser" overture in parts, but on
the whole it went in spirited fashion.
Altogether the programme was brilliantly
encouraging. Like the green things out
there you can almost see the orchestra
grow. Week by week the work is better
Week by week both conductor and men
touch higher levels. They are growing
up together, and it Is good and delight
full to see. Hardly one thinks of any
limit in the connection, and why should
there be?
Next comes the last concert OF the sea-,
son, at which. with the assistance of
chorus of 300 voices, the Messiah will
be given.
BLANCH PARTINGTON.