The Hood River glacier. (Hood River, Or.) 1889-1933, 1912-05-09
THE MUSICAL COURIER
COMPLIMENTS ARENS

luBt before ne iell lot lHe eastern Iue-
tropolis purchased ranch in the Mid
die Valley, where Mrs. Arens and son,
Waldo, now reside, is just completing
a very successful season in New York.
Mr.. Arens will arrive here in the sum
mer to spend his vacation with his
family. During the past winter much
has been said in Portland relative Ito
the organization Of an orchestra and
securing Mr.. Arens to lead 1t.
The last concert Of the People
Symphony Orchestra, OF which Mt.
Arens is leader, was held IN Carnegie
hail, Sudnay afternoon, April u. The
Musical Courier, one of the leading
eastern musical journals speaks Of the
concert as follows:
There are two salient reasons why
Wagner is more popular and satisfac-
tory on the concert stage than any
other composer Of operas-frst, be.
cause his works contain instrumental
numbers of sufficient length for con-
cert purposes, aud second, because
such numbers, when performed singly,
do not lose in effectiveness by being
dissociated from the works Of which
they form a part. There is third
reason which might justly be given IN
connection with these two namely,
Wagner had a greater command OF or,
chestra resource, more abundant sklll
and knowledge in handling instru-
mental combinations, as well as a
loftier and finer message to eommuni-
cate. Wagner concerts are the most
popular since they please not only the
Wagnerite, but all who appreciate the
subtle beauties of rich orchestral color
ing, wonderful harmonic inventions and
stirring rhythms. IL is an easy mat
ter, therefore. for one to select a pro-
gram of separate numbers IRON Wag-
ner and to make them as varied as
desired.
For the final concert Of the season
by the Peoples Symphony Orchestra
at Carnegie hall, New York, last Sun
day afternoon, the following splendid
selection was given under direction of
Franz X. Arens: Overture 'Rienzi, =
prelude 'Lohengrin, "Siegfried s
Rhine Journey, prelude "Parsial /,
"Albumblatt" Transcription for string
orchestra by G. f. lie Massena), 'Wo-
tans Farewell and Magic Fire Scene"
from "Die Walkure, and the Even.
ing Star" song from "Iannhauser, "
the last two sung by Heinrich Meyn.
The most astonishing feature of
these concerts is that programs OF
such high grade can be presented in
so acceptable and satisfactory man
ner, in view of the fact that the or
chestra is not a permanent one and
that few rehearsals can be had. OF
course, the men individually are excel
lent players of experience, and familiar
with standard orchestral works, but
perfect orcestral balance and unanim-
ity can be secured only through con-
stant practice together as a body. The
of this organization are
of such merit as to cause one to wish
that an arrangement might be made
this fine ensemble might be
welded into permanent one. Then
New York would have an orchestra
that would be credit. The string
section, persided over by Macmillan
Pilzer, Is especially fine and emits a
volume of tone surprising in sorority
and beauty. The brass, likewise, is of
high excellence, especially the from
bones, and the woodwinds are better
than some that have been heard in
these parts. AS whole the orches-
ira is splendid example of what can
be accomplished with little means
through the unerring judgment and
fine ability of those who have the se-
lection OF the men and he who guides
them.
The mission of the Peoples Sym
phony Orchestra in providing good
music at minimum rates is a worthy
one and is meeting with the success it
deserves. 1t also proves that the high
est salaried players are not absolutely
for the making of an efli-
cient orchestral body and that it is not
necessary to charge high prices, thus
barring many music lovers who cannot
afford to pay the customary rates. In
Europe music Is part of the life.
There one may hear a fine orchestra at
a nominal fee, and the Europeans are
given every opportunity of enjoying
fine music, adequately rendered, by
capable orehestras, at small cost.
Why not in American The People +
Symphony Orchestra has demonstrated
that it can be done. Let them have
every support
Mr.. Arens is a conductor who has ae.
complished wonders and musician Of
uncommon capabilities. When one re.
alizes that he whipped this orehestrS
into trim. fit to appear before New
York audience in three rehearsals ton,
for strings alohe) and that better or,
chestral playing has not been heard il
this city outside of some few eXcep
tions, the magnitude Of his achieve
ment may be grasped in a small
measure. II is no wonder that he col
lapsed at the conclusion of the fatigu,
ing "Parsifal" prelude and fell into
the arms of the first violins. But the
spell was only momentary, and with
stoical energy and herculean endeavor
he resumed his place and finished tht
program in blaze of glory. Whether
it was the great ovation he received
after the exquisite performance OF
'Albunbattt, which he was com
PEELED to repeat in spite of the rule
against encores, or whether he was
paying the penalty of overwork anC
devotion to splendid cause, the fact
remains that he deserves the thanks oi
the entire city and is entitled ct the
fullest praise. III those interested It
orchestral music would wake up, throw
off their lethargy, take pride in having
an orchestra representing New Yorh
that would be worthy the name, ant
put MIR. Arens at the head of such I
force, then there would he some eth
ereal musical proelama,ions.
The orchestra played with magnif
cent sweep and verve, the strings es
pecially emitting most usciou.
quality of tone, while the ensemble
was marvellous, taking into considera
tion the conditions under which tn,
men were playing,
According to MIR. Arens custom t,
bring forward composition by al
American at each concert, he ha(
placed on the program MIR. lie Mas
sena's transcription of Wagner's mel
ody known as Elm Albumblatt. Tn,
transcription is made from the origina
piano score and in the same Key {
majorl Wagner's composition il
merely a melody with simple arpeg
gio accompaniment, and the piece il
known chiefly as a violin solo or as al
orchestral number. MIR. lie Massena'
ra,pfr,I lapas, Eal,t .,I