New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1910-10-29
MUSIC
The First Symphony Concert.

U u SOtiOSf ts
It fell to the lot OF Mr. Walter Damrosch
TO open this seasons symphonic tioodgates
and he did so with concert in The New
Theatre yesterday afternoon with the first
concert of the Symphony Society. He
made the occasion interesting by introduce
ing. in commercially short programme. a
violinist and a composer who were new to
the American public, first paying honor due
TO the greatest of symphonists by a per-
Torrance of Beethoven's 'Eroica. In this
he invited his patrons to pass judgment
upon the quality Of his orchestra, the merit
Of his reading of an extremely familiar
work and the acoustic properties of the
room. the latter having undergone some
changes since it was last used for concert
purposes. On the first point there is little
that need be said and that little must be
read with the last consideration in mind
The New Theatre admirable in many re-
spects. is unkind to orchestral music espe-
cially that of the classical band, with its
differentiated chorus. In modern music. with
it's splendid sonoritles as was made plain in
the final number of the programme. it is
more gracious: but there was much in the
symphony YESTERDAY -,hich seemed to be
deadened and swallowed up in the spaces
back Of the prOSCenium arch. The brill
fancy which was naturally 70 have been
expected from so admirable a band was
wanting. and this worked injury. too, TO the
solo performer. although he was brought
near TO the audience as he could be.
The greatest efficiency seemed TO lie in the
wOOd-wind choir. which, thanks largely to
the composer. made a delightful impression
in the slow moment of Brahmss violin con-
certo As for the reading of the symphony
there is nothing TO be said in praise ex-
cept that il was free from erraticisn,
which Is quite offensive to sound taste as
Iifeless conventionalsm But it is possible
TO infuse mora poetry into the final varia-
tons than was done yesterday without dis
torting them or spelling their exquisite
euphony.
The solo part in the Brahms concerto
was PLAYED by a newcomer. Professor F'e-
Iix Berber II was creditable to his artis-
tic character that he chose so serious a
work for his introduction to the New York
public. Il compelled him to put forward
his qualities as a solid musician. and left
him free TO display the attributes which
make wider appeal hereafter He is not
likely 70 compel wonder for his technical
accomplishments. however. The Brahms
concerto exacts all in this direction that
the most brilliant show pieces call for,
without requiting it in the popular man
ner Under better acoustical conditions ii
is easy 70 imagine that his tone would dis
close more sensuous charm than it did
YESTERDAY But there was much TO be
grateful for IN his honest. straightforward
intelligent performance of the extremely
difficult work Other virtuosi have played
the work with greater dash but at a sac
rifce Of its essentially musical elements
Mr.. Damrosch gave him a sympathetic
and helpful accOmDaniment
The new composer whom Mr.. Damrosch
introduced was William Wallace, and his
work was a symphonic poem entitled
..ViIon." 1t proved to be a delightful, even
d brilliant, composition, which caused no
small amount OF interesting comment in
the corridors after the concert. It would
scarcely be an exaggeration to say that it
is far and away the most interesting nov
city which has been heard in local concert
rooms since Debussy's ''LApres-midi dun
Faune" had its first performance here sew
eraI years ago-the most poetical in con-
ception. the most charming TO the ear.
That its composer should be an English
man whose name has never appeared on
local programme and has never been men
toned by the commentators on foreign
musical affairs. seemed to cause no small
amount of wonder. The fact is that Mr.
WaIIace's music las had but four hear
ings in his native land. He is some
thing OF a phenomenon. A book from his
pen. entitled The Threshold of Music,
was published about two years ago and
gave the readers of serious musical Htera-
tJre something 10 think about, but Of his
compositions il has hitherto been impossi-
bic 10 know more than that this sym
phonic poem has had TWO performances in
London-the last by the Philharmonic So
ciety in February OF this year. If II affords
a taste Of his quality the musical world
would be wiser and happier by a better
acquaintance with hin. II is a beauttul
piece of writing. redolent with the atmos-
phere Of the France in which the vaga-
bond poet lived. dainty in archaic melody.
exquisitely refined in orchestratiOn. The
audience that heard II yesterday would, no
doubt he glad to hear il again.