Evening journal., 1912-12-03
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UkUnESlkA
AGAIN DELIGHTS
StOkOwSkl Presents Delight
full Program in Second Of
Seasons Concerts

Notwithstanding the inclement
weather, the Grand Opera House was
packed last evening at the second sub
'scription concert Of the Philadelphia
Orchestra, and the splendid program
amply rewarded those who had brav-
ed the elements TO hear it.
When the conductor, Leopold Sto-
kowski. appeared, he was greeted by a
round Of applause. He bowed his ac-
acknowledgements and turned4o his mu-
sicians. For a moment or two, there
was deep silence, then--lie music
from fairyland. came tho low, sweet,
strains of the beautiful "Oheron,"
overture, by Carl Maria Won Weber,
written as a prelude to Webers last
opera, which was composed for Co
vent Garden Theatre, London. by
Weber, in 1925. The music of the
Overture" gradually deepened and
grew in beauty and volume until it
ended in a grand finale.
Very different in tone and execu-
tion, but nevertheless beautiful, was
Haydn's Second Symphony In ID ma
ior. II was full OF charm and dainty
briliancy and altogether pleasing.
A most charming feature of the pro-
gram was the rendering Of the COM
plete suite from Delibes noted ball
let of Sylvia" which was exquisite
~ beautiful, and full OF vigorous
life.
The prelude received enthusiastic
applause and the "Intermezzo." so
soft and lovely to the ear, with the
dainty familiar theme Of the ballet
running through it, and the sweet,
birdlike trills was greeted even more
enthusiastically as was also the piz-
zicatO movement, which though
short and sweet" was most bril-
liantly effective. But at the conclu-
sion Of the Procession Of Bacchus,"
which, though heavier in tone than
the preceding numbers, was eloquent
in forceful feeling and expression,
with its clashing rhythms, and COM
bined majestic force and grandeur;
yet, withal, so wonderfully melodious,
the burst of applause was tumultu
Gus, and continued with increasing
vigor until Mr. Stokowsld appeared.
Herman Sandby's solo, Variations
on a Rococo Theme" by TschaikOw-
sky, one Of the most difficult cello
compositions ever written was very
difficult of word Interpretation as we'll
as It was extensively technical, and
TO the average ear, hard to compre-
hend; but his encore, 10 Cygne,"
by Saint-Saens, was more appealing
In its character, and unusually lovely
with the dreamy sweet soft tones Of
the cello so beautifully blending
with the orchestral music, which fol-
lowed the notes Of the cello like a
magnet, and blended with them in an
exquisitely beautiful and harmonious
whole Mr. StokOwski joined with
the audience in the great burst OF ap
plause which greeted Mr.. Sandby's
mastery execution of the two num-
bers.
Magnificent" seems to be the
most appropriate word descriptive Of
the concluding number on the pro-
gram, Wagner's splendid "Rienzi, -
hut even that. in fullest depth Of
meaning. seems inadequate IL the en-
deavor TO portray on paper the beauty
of the overture. Gloriously and sup
erhly the volume Of music swelled
louder and louder until it seemed to
I'll every crevice OF the Opera House.
Then lowering to soft. sweet notes
terspersed with a faint bell-like
tinkling; then up into the heights
again with a resounding volume Of
music almost like the thunder Of an
approaching storm IN its tumultous
outpouring. and, in conclusion, the
grand finale.
The audience was silent for mo-
ment, and then-well, the storm of
APPLAUSE which followed was a con-
vincing testimonial Of the hearty and
grateful appreciation of the audience
The Philadelphia Orchestra has al
ways adequately expounded the Won
derful Wagner music, and the superb
overture so mastery interpreted last
evening by Mr.. Stokowsh and the
Philadelphia Orchestra was a fitting
and triumphant ending of the concert.