Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1900-1911, 1908-05-15
DAMROSCHORCHESTRA
DELIGHTS AUDIENCE
PROVES ITS WORTH IN TWO
CONCERTS
Special Wagnerian Program viii Be
Offered at Mason Opera House
fonight-Matinee Given
This Afternoon

Director Walter Damrosch raised his
baton on the stage of the Mason opera
house last night and a moment later
the opening strains of Thomas beau
tiful "Mignon' overture swelled
through the theater This opening num-
Der OF the New York symphony orches-
tra's program proved one of the most
brilliant of the night. 1t was superbly
rendered, the staccato passages being
given with verve that won instant
and enthusiastic appreciation
A considerable part of the audience,
fashionably late in arriving at the
theater, remained standing until the
overture was completed, when they
were shown to their seats. Not few
missed the number in it's entirety.
Walter Damrosch has none of the
brass band sensationalism of the
Italian school of freak conductors. He
directs his musicians quietly There Is
no jerky gesticulation, no writing. He
proved last night that it is not neces-
sary for a great conductor to be also
great contortionist. And Mr.. DAM
rosch has no quarrel with his barber.
An Impressive Conductor
For the most part the Damrosch
baton moves quietly up and down with
an occasional circular motion of ir-
regular orbit. Once In a while the lit
tie wand describes a figure eight In
the air. Often the left arm is brought
into play. to direct either the creation
or the cessation of harmony. The man
stands erect, his body practically I'M
mobile. There is evidenced constantly
economy of motion. As n result the
audience gives its undivided attention
to the music. There is no Punch and
Judy show, no monkey on-a-stick to
share honors with the Observation-Disclosures.
Last nights audience was composed
in large part of men and women who
know what is good In music and who
appreciate 1t because they understand
1t. 1t was not society audience In
the usual acceptance of the term,
though society was fairly well repre-
scented.
There can, of course, be no two opin-
ions about the New York Symphony
orchestra. Mr.. Damrosch has made of
1t an organization of surprising merit.
The concert work is a revelation and
the solo instruments are handled by
masters, no little part of last night S
enjoyment being due to the violinist
'eellist and fiutist whose solo passages
were performed exquisitely
Nine, de. Moss, Soprano SoIoist
Madame de Moss, the soprano SOLO
list of the evening. sang for her pro-
"Mignon." This is a most difficult
aria. but 1t was given delightfully."- and
with a richness of tone that proved
most enjoyable. Moreover the sing
ers enunciation was perfect, her every
word being distinct, even in the pianis-
simo passages.
With Mr.. Damrosch at the piano
she graciously responded to two en-
cores, singing my Mother Bids Me
Bind My Hair" by Handel and a
charming little nature song, 1.-The
Woodpecker."
The overture to "Mignon," by AM
brose Thomas. was followed by an
added number, lie Deluge," by Saint
Saens, Mr.. Saslausky playing the solo.
Massenets Under the Trees" was n
charming picture, full of rich harmony
and beautiful melody for the clarinet
and cello.
Bizarre Demonstration
Debrussy was represented by two
charming movements from his string
quartet played by the full complement
of strings. They were odd and bizarre.
In his music there is nothing of form, |
melody or other means of expression, |
but color color, and then color. The |
orchestration of them is like nothing |
else in the world
1.-THE Arabian Love Song" and
French Military March," by Saint
Saens, were pretty and dainty frag- |
ments, as were also the excerpts from
"The Coppelia" suite by Delibes. Two
movements from the Symphonic Fan |
tastique," by Berliaz. were given an in
spring reading. For an encore to the
ballet music of Delibes Mr.. Damrosch |
played "Chauson Sans Paroles" by
Tschaikowsky. The excerpts from La |
Boheme," by Puccini. were received |
with warm applause.
Two movements from Gounod's SYM
phony for wind instruments were
played by the Woodwind band and |
were most enjoyable novelty. The
popular overture to William TelP' |
closed the program.