Evening journal., 1908-03-04
LOCAL MUSICIANS
In CONCERT WORK
WImi 6 on 0. che ira Gives
Its Second PlO.rAm Lasi
Night in OPP ra iiOOSe

Before large audience the Whining
ton Orchestra gave its second concert
last night at the Grand Opera House.
A. H. Rodemann conducted. Frank
II. Mason. baritone. was the soloist.
The program was varied one. rum
ming the gamut of overturss. sympon-
les, operate tonalities and lighter
melodies. I1.e organization seriously
considered, appears to be unbalanced,
the brass being too fortissmi, and more
first and second violins are needed IL
the orchestra elects symphonies and
the heavier movements for It's concerts.
The program opened with Thomas
Overture from Raymond. a selection
highly classical. but one that has few,
if any. pleasing dualiu save in the
pizacatto movements on the violins,
which were given with rhythmic charm.
The theme in the overture is light in
quality and the tonal effects are
mobile, but the harmonic progressiors
are dry. However. the overture is not
without melody. In this selection the
brass is played with too striking I'M
portance, the climaxes being lashed into
contrapuntal fgurauons until they al
most devoured the chief melodies.
Just why the music committee Sc
lected Beethovens Symphony in c
Major, a selection known to musicians
as the "drowsy symohony," for its
second number is unknown. 1t is
rarely p.ayei. and the large orchestras
only LIST it when Pluvius showers his
thunder on the day on which a concert
is to be given. 1t is gen rally tabooed
by musicians. owing to its borish
harmonies and monotonous movements,
the theme being too pastoral The
meloiic quality of this symphony fcils
to awaken any degree of sentiment,
despite the fact that its composer was
q super er-sentimentalist. This number
severely tested the ability of the organ
ization.
Frank H. Mason sang pleasantly a
selection from ]. Massenet's Herod diade,
and Schumann's Grenadier song. Mr..
Mason was heard to splendid advant-
ag his voice is rich and his temper
mental execution dignihe1. He was
roundly applauded and deservedly so.
The orchestra accompaniment to the
Grenadier song was too forcible.
The second part of the program
seemingly denoted the musical temper
ment of the audience. being made up
of the lighter melo les. excepting the
final Rienzi overture by Wagner.
Strauss waltz, Wilmer Blut, was play
ed with that airy Viennese lightnest
and valse pictures that many in the
audience took up the theme and hum-
med the dance motions through Every
one enjoys Strauss. He is the master
OF waltz music. and anv of his selec-
tions are pleasing. Handels aria, a
choral, with a largo movement, was
effectively given, the choral and organ
effect being given just enough domin-
ance to bring out the theme spendidly.
Handel was the greatest of choralists,
and his works must be played with
tcnal dignity. This selection contri-
buted largely to the evenings pro-
gram.
Miss Emma Lore. harpist, sustained
the harp movements in the aria. That
the audience last night evidently
eschews sombre music and choral arias
was exemplifed by the reception ac-
corded the playing of the intermezzo
from the Merry Widow by Lclar. OF
the entire program, strange to say, it
was the only selection accorded an en-
core It was excellently given, the
brass instrumentalists being an un-
known quantity in the rendition. Grieg's
Hjertesar and Warren were two other
selections, the execution OF which,
especially the latter. was finely per-
formed. Greig's music is always charm
ing and his theme runs like some grand
picture poem. The graduation of ac-
cents in the Warren movement were
beautiful.
No great praise can be given to the
orchestra for its rendition Of Rienzi.
The presence Of imperfect balance pre-
cludes in the first place capable
reading Of this selection. The relative
dynamics of the choirs are not ade-
quately adjusted, and until this is done
Mr. Rodemann may sec proper to stick
to music of the Merry Widow calibre.
IL spite of the orchestra's frailities.
which are only mentioned in a spirit Of
kindness and interest, the evening was
edifyingly spent, not only to the indi-
vidual member of the organization, but
those who are helping to sustain Will
njngton as a music-loving city To
Mr.. Rodemann. the conductor. great
praise is due. but his readings seem
entirely too sympathetic. after the con-
cert hall manner or q drawing room
concertmeister. rather than fervenuy
dramatic according to the fashion of
his friend, Pohlig. Encore, Mr.. Rode
mann, Tres Bienl
The program follows:
Part I-Overture. Raymond" AM
brose Thomas; First Symphony in c
Major, L. V. Beethoven: a. allegro con
brio; b. andante cantahile con motto; c,
menuetto, allegro motto vivace; u,
allegro motto e vivace; "Vsioin Fugi-
tive" from Herodiade. ]. Massenet;
die beiden Grenadiere." r. Schumann,
Frank II. Mason: Intern ission.
Part II-waltz. "Wierner Blut." Jo-
ham Strauss; Largo, aria. G. u.
Handel: intermezzo. THE Merry
Widow" Franz Lehar. for orchestra
and harp; a. "Hjertesar." Eduard
Grieg; b, "Varen," Eduard Grieg; for
strings; overture. "Rienzi," Richard