The Detroit times., 1911-12-29
Big Audience Charmed
BY Thomas Orchestra

A concert, the program numbsrs OF
which were thoroughly in keeping
with the Yuletide season, was given
Wednesday evening. in the Light
Guard armory. by the Thomas Sym
phony, orchestra, OF Chicago, with
Frederick Stock, conductor. The mu-
sic had been carefully chosen by
Mr.. Stock SO as TO give the religious
and the festal significance OF the
Christmas spirit. and yet not one OF
the compositions selected, belonged
TO the conventional sheaf of Christmas
music literature. Indeed. the program
was unusual in its almost complete
unfamiliarity TO local concertgoers.
Fresh from triumphs in New York,
Boston and Philadelphia. territory
which the Thomas orchestra had not
invaded in over dozen years--before
the death OF its famented founder ana
leader, Theodore Thomas-the play
ing of the men and the spirited con-
Quoting OF Mr.. Stock seemed TO re-
feet the elation which all must have
felt in the reception given them Dy
eastern critics and public. The pro-
gram was beautifully and ideally
played, and the evening was one long
TO be remembered by the small army
of faithful attendants of the orchestral
concerts given under the direction OF
the Detroit Orchestra association.
The program opened with three
short, but especially lovely numbers
on the theme of the birth OF the
Christ-child, written by-three WIDELY
different composers. The first was
the "Pastorale," from Bach's Christ
mas Oratorio;" the second, the Noel
movement from "Triptique Symptom
ique," by Jan Blockyx, Dutch pianist
composer: the third the Noel" from
the symphonic Sketches" OF George
Whitfield Chadwick, the American.
All were descriptive Of the calm
beauty OF the night, the lowliness or
the manger, the simplicity OF the
shepherds, of the scene and the sur
roundings of the birth of the Savior.
Then came the curious harmonies and
remarkable scoring OF The Dance OF
the Angels over Elysian Fields" from
THE New Life" of Wolf-Ferrari one
OF the most attractive compositions
the Thomas orchestra has ever played
in this city /.
The first part of the program was
brought TO close with a Nocturne
for French horn, played by Leopold
DeMare. a member OF the orchestra,
and considered the best player OF his
instrument in America. Mr.. De Mares
work was so well liked, that he was
compelled TO repeat the latter half
of the number The Nocturne was
doubly interesting inasmuch as ii was
written by Franz Strauss, father of
Richard Strauss, the elder Strauss
being noted French horn player.
The remainder of the program typi-
fed the joyousness and the festival
spirit OF Yuletide. beginning with the
suite originally written by Humper-
dinck for the play "Konigskinder" and
later Incorporated in the opera when
the composer decided to write the
more pretentious stage presentation.
The suite is divided into two move
ments, the prelude and the Hellafest
and Childrens Dance. This number
was decidedly interesting as it Has
the first public hearing of any of The
Kings Children" music. Sir Edward
Elgar was presented in a new guise.
so far as Detroit concert audiences
know him. in a charming suite The
Wand OF Youth" which the program
notes stated was originally written by
the English composer when ~ years
old and only re.scored for complete
orchestra in 1907 The composition is
delightful, and its six numbers. the
opening march, THE Little Bells.
Moths and Butterflies" f" "fhe Fountain
Dance The Tame Bear and The
Wild Bears are fascinatingly descrip-
tive in tonal harmonies.
The "Ballscenen.' scored for orches-
ira by Hellmsberger. on a violin etude
by Mayseder and played by the violins
in unison with harp. cello, viol and
drums accompaniment, was so alluring
in its waltz melody as to make all who
listened desire TO sway TO its seduc.
tive tTrilliancy. So pleased was the
audience that the number had to be
repeated. A slight hearing of Richard
Strauss NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. "Rosen-
cavalier" was given in an arrangement
of the waltz refrain which runs frag-