The Montgomery advertiser., 1908-05-07
FAn1useT,1ents
New York sympheny Orchestra at th.

"eW AOrA Symph0ny Orchestrn at the Grand. .s 4 fas' The New York Symphony. Orchestra, under the leadership of Walter Dam- rosch, made It's initial appearance ii, Montgomery at the Grand last even ing Only moderately numerous au- dience, composed for the most part of the music c.enthusiasts of the city, at- tended the concert. but those present were absolutely enthrailed blythe pro- gram rendered. and it is undoubtedly true that such a small audience will never again greet Damrosch's orches- tra in Montgomery. ap
 The numbers of the program com , prised an admirably selected range of compositions. and in their rendition the body of musicians gathered togeth- CT by Mr. DDamrosch achieved success transcended by no similar organiza- tion ever heard In this city.
 It hastbe said that as a conductor and organizer Damrosch Is .unexcelled. and the concert of last evening evi- denced the rare genius of the conduc- tor in mobilizing into harmonious whole the clements that are com bined to create the perfect orchestra. The interpretation of the pieces was marked by fidelity to the ideal of the composer, but was characterized by no slavish imitation. The individuaIity of the leader was never submerged. but It was rather as though he had studied the composers personality un- til he had become thoroughly, imbued with his moods. and had studied and analysed the compositions until there was revealed to him the spirit of the composer. It was in the expression of his accurate knowledge of the com posers intent. that Mir: Damrosch dls- played his individuaiIty.9. s.sat cr s.,
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 CT. served as delightful and sympa- thetic Introduction of nudience and orchestra. but 1t was when the power full and noble harmony. of Beethoyen's Fifth Symphony was given expression that the enthusiasm of the audience threw of all restraint and overwhelm- ed the musicians with spontaneous ap- plause The rendition of this number last night gave Damrosch footing in Montgomery high in the clouds agleam with stars of the musical world. @
 This symphony voices as no other the genius of the composer, and is so interwoven with his individuality that it may be regarded as a. musical auto biography of his moods and moments of noble discomfort. Through perfect Instrumentation, the music attains a vivid realism that holds one spell bound. So great Is the strain Into which the audience is thrown during the second movement that it is almost with a sigh of regretful relief that one realizes that the movement is ended. A moro impassioned style of compost tion has rarely been produced in in- strumental music than that employed by the composer In this movement in expressing the wanderlngs and con hicts of mind unhinged by rage and despair. -sg
 The March Slave" by Tschaikow- sky. as rendered last night. constitutes one of the most impressive and nobly inspiring compositions of the worlds masters. Beautifully weird is the fu- neral dirge A embodied in the opening strains, appalling furious the war song into which the dirge changes. The mind is melted to picture the hosts of a great army as they pass before one in threatening battle array. and with them vision of union and peace arises naturally before. one. It IS an achieve ment to translate the March Slave, " as MT. Damrcsch last night succeeded
 With the pamr8sch orchestra, is Mme Mary Hissem sDemoss, a beautiful woman endowed with magnificent so- pranU voice, who last night sang the aria, I'll re pastore," by Mozart and the Polonaise from "Mignon," by Thomas. She generously sang encores to these numbers. Mime. Demoss has a voice of remarkable purity and sweet ness and sings with wonderful express sion. Gracious and charmingly viva cious, Mime. Demoss obtained firm hold on the hearts of her audience. It is doubtful If voice more perfectly enchanting than hers has ever been heard in Montgomery