The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-04-09

A man who was formerly in close touch with the musical profession in the east writes from Chattanooga to a friend in Birmingham as follows:
 T am just from the Russian Symphony orchestra concert, where l had the pleas ure of hearing the young Mrs. Aldrich Of ycur city play Tschaikowsky's most beautiful but extremely difficult concerto the B-fiat minor-which only great plan ists of large experience are supposed 10 attempt The programme was delightful from beginning to end It was longer than usual, but as it was full of tuneful music. the audience listened eagerly to every number and seemed sorry when the entertainment was concluded
 "The programme opened with Tschai- kowsky's symphony No. 6, 'Pathetique, and then followed a tone poem by si- belius, Tschaikowsky's quartet, Night sung by Nina Dmitrieff, Leila Hulse' Frank Ormsby and Bertram Schwan, symphonic sketch by Liadow, and the concerto. This made up Part l.
 "Part II was somewhat lighter, but 1t contained several novelties of high artis-
 
 musically educated and to the average emusement-goer
 Every number provoked warm ap- plause, but it was Mrs. Aldrich who stirred the audience to the highest pitch of enthusiasm This captivating woman received, indeed, nothing short or an oVs- tion. To begin with, her very personality is compelling As she took her seat al the piano she recalled to my mind the brilliant. beautiful and magnetic Carreno at the age of 20 Mrs. Aldrich looked so fresh. so perfectly at ease and withal so picture-like in lovely white gown against a solid Background of 5o staiwart' fiery Russians that an impression was created never to fade away. When she began with those noble chords the effect was electrical. I felt assured that the south had at last given to the world great concert pianist, who will In tine achieve triumphs In Paris. Berlin and St. Petersburg.
 "I am southern born and am always ie alous for the reputation of this sec tion. and what was especially gratify- ing to me in connection with Mrs. All - sians. was the cordial greeting which the musicians gave her. It IS seldom that orchestra players show interest in pianists who are not world-famous. Here was a little woman of whom the members of the organization knew scarcely anything. but am told that at rehearsal In the afternoon they ap- pIauded her spontaneously after each movement. Mrs Aldrich. according to my notion, plays better now than many of the distinguished virtuosos l have heard in this country and Europe; and If may be safely predicted that within the next year or two she Will De In os much demand as Bloom field- Zeisler or Carreno.
 Mrs. Aldrichs work besides being distinctly individual is characterized at once by strong intellectuality, grace of style and tenders emotion; now by singular delicacy of touch, now by masculine boldness of expression, but from first to last there was clarity and poetic insight.
 After the concert I talked with sew eral of the Russian musicians. all of whom, by the way have learned to speak good English. One of the cello players compared Mrs. Aldrich to a man who easily ranks among the fore most pianists of the present day. Said he MT. - interprets Bach and Bee thoven with authority. but this lady beats him playing Tschaiko wsky.'-
 And most important of all of the comments was this by the conductor | himself-Mr. M. Altschuler-generally
 recognized as the chief authority on the reading of Russian master composi- | tions.
 "A wonderful woman!' exclaimed MT. Altschuler. She plays the Tschat- kowsky concerto beautifully. At re.