The Washington herald., 1911-03-15
CONCERT A SUCCESS
Symphony Orchestra Greeted
by Large Audience.
HERMAN RAKEMANN S0LOIST
Beautiful Overture to TraGedie "Co-
riOlan" Remarkably Well Played,
Programme Deserving of Praise.
Hammer to Get Testimonial.

| The last concert of the reorganized
| Washington Symphony Orchestra was
given yesterday afternoon in Columbia
Theater before large audience of music
| lovers. Herman Rakemann. the concert
: master. was the soloist. The progress
which the organization has made in it's
playing was pronounced yesterday, in
comparison with the first concert this
winter and shows the capability and
sincerity of the conductor, Heinrich
Hammer
In no palmer way did this improvement
show than in the programme itself, which
opened with the beautiful overture to the
tragedc "CorioIan," by Beethoven, which
was remarkably well played.
Solo Warmly Received.
Mr.. Rakemanns solo followed. It was
the introduction to the oratorio, The
Deluge." by Saint-Saens, a work OF ex-s
ceeding beauty and many difficulties.
Mr.. Rakema1n's playing is quite familiar
to local audiences, as has been i
leading violinist here since his return
from his studies in Germany, but he
never played better than he did yester-
day.
His tone was good and his technique
brilliant and sparkling. His bowling is
always delightful. as he has a distinctive
grace in his position while playing. The
orchestra did excellent work in it's part
of this number, and showed, as il has
shown before. careful work in rehearsal.
Mr.. Rakemann was recalled several times
before he played a nOcturne by Hans
Creutzfeldt eXquisitely. and which in it's
turn ELECTED much enthusiasm. Ameri-
can Beauties and Easter lilies were much
in evidence, and both Mr.. Rakemann and
Mr.. Hammer came in for generous
punches of them.
The other numbers were Edward Lalo's
'Rhapsodie Norvegienne,' very skillfully
done by the orchestra; Christian Sinding's
"Rondo Infinite (played on this oc-
casiOn for the first time in the United
States, a work of much grace and
beauty. delightful rhythms and har-
monies; and Edward MacDowelrs First
Suite. consisting of In a Haunted For
est" Summer IdyIl." In October"
shepherd Song" and Spirits of the
Forest" The playing of this rumber
which was a just tribute to the great
American composer, showed much YER
satility on the part of the orchestra and |
the conductor. but also demonstrated be-
yond the shadow of a doubt that there is |
too much brass for the number Of strings |
and wood winds in the orchestra.
Both wen PlayeO.
The last two numbers were especially |
beautiful and particularly well played. !
Mr.. Hammer deserves the greatest praise |
for the work he has accomplished with |
his players; and in fact the players de- |
serve much credit themselves. as they !
are nearly all musicians who have many !
duties elsewhere. and their work with the |
organization is but one of many engage |
ments.
Mr. Hammer has given his services !
gratis this year, and for this reason the |
orchestra is giving him a testimonial con- |
cert on Friday afternoon, March "a. in |
the Columbia Theater. when it is hoped |
the public will give him a substantial |
reward for his work in the cause of good |
local music in Washington.
The boxes all had distinguished OCcu- |
pants yesterday afternoon, many of them |
and all subscribers. Among |
them were the Minister from the Neither |
lands and Nine. LoudOn, Mrs. Robert |
Hinckley. Mrs. Herbert Wadsworth. Mrs. |
Miss de Smirnoff, Miss |
Yvonne Townsend. Miss Burbage, Miss |
Hinckley, Mrs Arthur Lee. Mrs. Auden- |
reid, Mrs. Harlan. and Miss Berliner.