Evening journal., 1908-11-17
AN EVENING WITH
THE music MASTERS
Philadelphia Symphony Or
CheStra Opens Season Here
With Brilliant Program

The Phil, -cphia Symphony Orches
ira began its season of local concerts
last night at the Grand opera House.
Society was represented as was ex-
pected. and the music-lovers were there
too. The concert was one whose moods
ranged from grave TO gay-from the
calm, phnosophlc Won Weber, through |
the melancholy Of the brooding Tschai-
kowsky to the bizarre Chabrier.
The program because of its arrange
ment was one that held the attention
Of the large audience to the end. II
was well-played, of course Let not
critics complain. carl Pohlig conduct
ed The soloist was Herman Sandy,
violoncellist.
To say that a conductor OF Herr
Pohligs stamp contributes a large per
centage of attraction to a concert such
as was given last night, is TO merely
utter an accepted fact lie is con-
ductor of the graphic type. but those
who saw him conduct the concerts of
the orchestra last season, and who at
tended last nights program, admit that
he is little less dramatic. less pam
tomimic He has developed along the
lines of dignity. His directing must
be soul comforting TO his players as
there appears to be no doubt as TO
1 his wishes in the matter of tempo and
accentuation. lie brings out the full
tonal capacity of the orchestra and this
alone shows his control, his master
power as a leader
Tho program opened with Won Web
cr's Euryanthe overture. How il bub-
led with inrenuous rhythm, With what
clarity. delcacy and elegance the or
chestra brought out the theme The
debonair swing to the overture, its eX-
quisite melodies, its play of color and
vivid imagery justified the splendid
Interpretation given il by Herr Pohlig:
but anything Of Won Weber is always
worth listening TO when played as it
was last night.
The gem of the concert was Tschai-
kowskys Fourth Symphony. 1t is es-
sentially production Of a man abnor-
mally developed musically. It's a colos-
sial masterpiece Of Instrumentation,
and one tat taxes the technical skill
of every individual of the orchestra.
What a wealth of polyphony and con-
trapuntal artihces II contains The in
troductory phrases shadow solemnity
with sinister forbodings.s The entire
motif with the exception Of the scherzo
, was one of gloom. Stern with heavi l.
, ness not seemingly attained by con-
! scious effort, and yet intimate because
Of its note of personal feeling-how
: does il prophesy a tonal canvass Of ex.
traordinars and intense suggestiveness
rfTf.
determination at once definite and re-
serve, and with the consummation OF
the pizzicato movement Of the scherzc
S which seemed to picture dancing Maids
there comes to Tschaikowslxy a partial
relief of his Obsessions. Its melodies
are melancholy. always So And the
finale is the expression of a much re-
lieved mind, OF a soul triumphant after
struggle through the labyrinth ol
despair Modern harmony. with u.
subtleties and its boldness. has no Sc.
5 crets for the great Russian composer;
I he understood il admirably
The gloomy Russian Theme ant
Variations. for violoncello and orches.
ira. Mr. Sandy. soloisi. added mucl
J brilliancy and relief to the program
3 Mr.. Sandby played; his instrument
4 talked lie semed to make like In,
4 great master he was soulfully inter.
4 preting. the simple strings quiver will
z more shades than the rainbow. Wha
4 susve form the melody of this number
d took under his fingers and what intens,
\ feeling sings the rythmical ebb and
/ flow. Mr.. Sandy is every inch an artis
\ and he well-deserved the encores h,
y received from the audience.
The last number OF the program wa,
4 Chabrier's Espana. rhapsody L
n proved iaunty little piece. refresh.
\ ing. melodious. and happily set forth
4 the evenings concert. after the strik,
q ing somber. sinister and passionate
4 music of Tschaikowsly. I'm fact. thi,
selection was little gem and stirred
4 the audience to humming IT, The tar
4 antella-lixe music of this number. III
= abandon of the Spanish freedom. seel
4 among the natives of the mountain,
n Gus districts Of sunny Spain i'm thei
Il whirls and dances came as a fittin,
4 close TO an evening OF keen musical en-
n ioyment
The next concert OF the orchestra vii
II be December 21st.