New-York tribune., 1909-11-14
NJ USlC
THE BOSTON ORCHESTRA.

THE BOSTON ORCHESTRA.
Mr.. ssrssi Raehmarinorr. instead Of the
Boston Orchestra. in a discussion OF the
concert at Carnegie Hall yesterday after
noon. for We have had the Boston Or
ehestra with us often. and the Russian
pianist and composer disclosed himself in
proper person before New Workers on this
occasion for the first time. But there is
comforting suggestion of excellence COM
bined with permanency in the title OF the
organization which comes TO Us once a
month 70 curb the cOncelt with which pro-
yincial towns charge the American metrop-
oils; and IL seems like a belittling OF II 10
raise any feature OF its offerings 20 a dig
nifty above its name. Even when IL infiicts
nineteen minutes OF a Roger prelude to
happily nanieless tragedy upon its ad-
mirers they are willing to forgive. and
when it increases their knowledge Of con-
temporary genius they do not permit that
fact TO oveTshad0w the more enduring one
that they have again enjoyed the gracious
and uplifting nizistrations of an organiza-
tion OF which even a provincial metropolis
is proud. And so Mr.. Rachuaninon must
take his turn in the record Of yesterdays
eelightful meeting In Carnegie Hall.
Besides. II was the solo performer ard
not his music which was novel In the pro-
granirne. That began with a work by an
English composer who has occupied consid-
cradle attention in MS native land during
the last few years. but has not heretofor.
challenged lceal notice. The programme
called If The Pierrot OF Minute. a Com
edy Overture TO a Dramatic Phantssy OF
Ernest Dowson." by Granville Bsntock No
reviewer OF musical doings who has cut his
eye teeth is inclined nowadays 20 quarrel
with the designations chosen BY composers
% describe their instrumental compositions.
This "Pierrot Of a Minute was a "Fantas-
tic Poem for Orchestra in the Form Of a
Prelude short year ago, when II had is
HTst performance az Worcester festival;
II Is now comedy overture" No doubt
II sounded then as II does now-in that re-
speet resembling the potatoes Of which the
Hon. BardwelI Slote OF amiable mencry,
remarked, in spite Of Mrs Gilhory, that
they tasted the same in all languages And
yet We could wish that IL had not been
called an overture. for the most obvious
thing about IL is that II opens nothing. but
plainly accompanies the incidents which
Mr.. Dowson sets forth IN his fantastic
poem, which tells OF how Plerrot fell asleep
ard dreamed that he enjoyed the embraces
OF the moon maiden, FOL, one hour OF which
h was willing 10 surrender the rest OF his
existence 1t is music which Is prettiIy
imaginative and exquisitey scored for or
chestral instruments. but Il Is too frae-
n'entary and Elusive 10 serve as anything
else than incidental music 70 a pantorime
In which the eyes might also have their
pleasure II lacks the architectural struct-
Ure which We are still entitled % expect
from piece OF music that seeks 10 stand
BY itself. with or without explanatory title
But. II in this sense unsatisfactory. il was
Yet pleasant 10 hear.
After this amiable diversion which opeued
the programme. ami before the personal
hero OF the occasion introduced himself the
orchestra made Obeisance 10 a great shade
by playing Schumann's Symphony in c, the
work which emerged from the composers
mind in period OF gloom during which he
heard trumpets and drums resoundiug with
in him. How completely he became himself
before the painful creative period was over
Mr.. FiCdleF demonstrated BIZ positively
thrilling performance Of the splendid finale.
Nor did any portion of the work seem to
call for the apOlOgetic tone in which Schu-
mann himself spoke Of il.
Mr. RachmaninoG played the solo part OF
his second pianOforte concerto. Three art
lists had tried IN vain before him 70 awaken
appreciation Of its nobility ana beauty Mr..
GabrnOwitsch was fairly successful. but NJ.
Pugno and Miss Lerner Iaborsd IN vain
against the weight which the orchestra laid
upon their performances. Mr.. Fielder
showed that though the work Il heavily
scored IL Is yet translucent and Mr.. Rach-
maniofr proved that manly, unaffected
and rhythmicaily lncisive reading OF its
solo part can lift it To the place in the gen.
eral scheme which il ought TO have ana re-
deem il from the faults which heretofore
seemed inherent In it. The concert pre-
scented him In an admirable light. both as
composer and performer. and insured him
cordial welcome when ne shall return to
give a more varied and illuminative exhibit
tion OF his powers. AS usual, the orchestra
ended the concert with a scintillant show
piece-thfs time Richard Strauss Don
Juan" H. l. x.