The San Francisco call., 1909-04-12
EASTER CONCERT
CHARMS AUDIENCE
Music Lovers Enjoy Elaborate
Program Rendered at
Dreamland Pavilion
Cecilia Choral Club, Russian
Pianist and Popular Soprano
Furnish Rare Treat
By Walter Anthony


What San Francisco can do musically
was shown yesterday afternoon at
Dreamland pavilion. The city's ar
tistic potentiality was discovered, and
the discovery was almost as much a
SOURCE of regret as it was source of
pleasure The big Easter festival
proved that we have here the ma
terial for a fine symphonic orchestra
capable of playing the best that is
scheduled in a musical catalogue II
proved that we have a body OF musl-
clans competent to give the most eA-
acting of pianists a tactful and sympa-
thetic accompaniment in concerto play
ing: II proved that we have orgdhi@eo
bodies. of singers who give OF tpeiL
time and their talents for the sake OF
music per Sc, and II proved that II
encouragement were provided Ior the
EXERCISE of these talents San Francisco
y-onld he as musical a city as any in
the land. Regrets forced themselves on
the consciousness by the reflection that
none of these possibilities has peeh
developed and that for seven years we
have not had a concerto playeoa as
written in this city. q think II was
about seven years ago when McDo"eH
nlaved his own concerto here with or
chestral backing.)
AIDS HOMEMADE MUSIC
I feel that homemade music was
given an impetus yesterday afternoon
that viii keep going until perilaiieie etnt
orchestra body is organized; Tor the
work of the players yesterday when
Gabrilowitsch played the CHOPIN L
minor concerto was most excellent,
and the splendid Russian pianist IN
fused the number with the genius OF
his superb art. An ensemble resulted
which. as I have said caused pain ana
pleasure-pleasure for the immediate
Offering and pain that we have been
so long denied what other cities less
fortunate in wealth and culture than
this have long enjoyed
Having completed my Easter sermon,
Il might be well 10 say that at Dream
land pavilion yesterday afternoon the
Cecilia choral society under the olrec-
Of Percy A. r. Dow. festival or
ehestra under the leadership Of Paul
Russian pianist, and Elsa Thornsvard'
soprano, appeared in concert. A large
audience enjoyed the offerings and ap-
plauded like music hungry folk.
The most significant number on the
program was that presented by the
Russian, who had a big orchestra back
Of him under the direction of Paul
Steindorff The accompaniment OF
treacherously beautiful and somewhat
wayward concerto by the unclassic Cho-
pin can not be the easiest task In the
world Steindorff carried his players
through the ravishing measures of the
romanZa movement and the spirited
phrases of the rondo with sureness OF
conception and deep sympathy. Par
~fcff. M
section was the orchestra effective.
PIANIsT,s WORK REMARKABLE
I am speaking so much about the
orchestra in this connection that an
apology is due to Gabrilowitsch for
making his solo work second. 1t was
not second musically,. but from a resi-
dents point OF view il was secondary
because did not know we could put
band Of musicians against him which
would come out of the contrast so
creditably. As TO the Russians play
ing IL will be enough to say that he
got inside Of Chopins maze Of notes
and made you forget that a concerto is
designed 10 display technic. His inter-
probation was nothing but music. l
think IL not too much to say that
the pianist does not live who could
bring more subtle musicianship and
poetry TO this same E minor concerto
than Gabrilowitsch
The Cecilia choral club sang plead
ingly. with a body of tone in the So
prano choir particularly which was
remarkably free, elastic and clear.
There is need for more contralto vol
ume. and the basses need more foun-
dstion. The numbers were rendered
with fine effects of shading, and the
chorus of 125 voices was kept ad-
mirably in tempo and tune.
~ r..-I
hibited voice of purity and sweet
ness. 1t is vibrant has the soprano
timbre and much sympathy. Perhaps
nervousness was 10 blame, but she sang
her 'Mireille" aria consistently sharp,
and so Inarred the impression which
she otherwise might have made. Her
climax at the finish Of Gounod's rather
inconsequential song was lacking in
periodic force and failed TO round the
elaborately trimmed phrases TO an ade-
Quste close.
Manager Greenbaum deserves credit
for his enterprise. Let us hope that
permanent orchestral organization
may be the result of yesterdays sue
cess.
I forgot TO say that the musicians
union granted an indulgence in the
interest of art and permitted its mem
/ bers TO practice for A month on the
work which was done yesterday. That
was a gracious act. and the enthusi-
astically musical members of the pro-
/ tective association in a fine spirit of
pride gave themselves gratis to the
work of extra rehearsing with zest
and faithfulness. Paul Steindorff did
4 the rest, and il was good
CLASSMATES" at the American
Norman Hackett opened what would
f1c q f.-1