New-York tribune., 1912-01-08
MUSIC
THE PHILHARMONIC SOCIETY
Mr.. Lhevinne and the Emperor
Concerto.

this weeks concerts of the Boston Sym
phony Orchestra Coming OF course. from
the representative of the visiting organiza-
tom explained that, although there were
no novelties on the programmes of the
concerts to be given in Carnegie Hall on
Thursday evening and Saturday afternoon. |
each nevertheless contained one work which
had had but a single hearing ir New York
II would have been a little more accurate !
TO have said but two hearings, for both !
works were on the programmes OF January |
and Of last year, and it has heen many
years since the afternoon concerts OF the
Philharmonic Society could by any stretch |
of the imagination be called rehearsas, as
years ago they were and fer years after
ward they were euphemistically called |
The press agents announcements. for
which the newspapers shoulder responsible |
ity I'm a spiitt Of amiabilty which ought
not 70 be misunderstood or misinterpreted, |
might be interpreted as a recognition OF
the fact Frequently brought to the notice
of the artists from Boston whom New York
delights to honor that It is not altogether
agreeable 10 the patrons OF orchestral con- I,
certs to have the splendid orchestra from
Boston come here and either repeat COM |
positions which we have just heard from
one or two OF our local orchestras, or an
ticipate q composition which has already
been set down on the list for the same or
the next week.
But II would seem to be absurd to quarrel |
with our visitors when our local organiza-
tions do the same thing. Perhaps there is
no seriousness involved in the matter, ex-
cept that which oppresses the soul OF the
rayiaunr Paathnyau'g nj pOnCprtO
was played at concert of the Pnilhar-
monic Society yesterday afternoon In Car
negie Hall by Mr. Lhevinne; in the same
hour It was played by Mr.. Bachaus at a
concert OF the Symphony Society at the
Century Theatre. 1t had been played by
the latter on Friday. The public had its
choice yesterday between the two places
the two artists and the two supporting In
sttutions: nobody c'except a bird" ac-
oording to the Irish bull said TO have been
made by a Hebrew banker in Vienna) could
have been expected to be In both places at
the same time: but no doubt there were
many individuals in the two audiences who.
while they enjoyed the offering extended to
them, wondered occasionally how it com
pared with that which the other congfe-
cation was receiving. ought the newspa-
pers to try 10 satisfy their curiosity? As
matters exist in our present operate ie-
gime, II would be foolish for one to attempt
10 do so. kissing goes by favor; so does
the patronage OF local orchestras; and
with It, generally, estimate (not apprecla-
tom OF the value OF all things with which
their performances are concerned. what
was thought OF Mr. Bachaus's performance
OF Beethoven's concerto had frank express
sion in the columns Of this journal last
Saturday; what was thougnt OF Mr.. Lhe-
vinnes performance must have equally
frank expression to-day.
Imprimis: II was not a poetical ipterpre-
tation Of the work. II is discouraging, TO
say the least, to lovers OF music who have
healthy tastes TO hear hypersentimentality
IN the reading Of any composers works. De-
cause u turns healthy minds against the
art. but II is equally Disappointing to the
lovers OF music who are just as sane TO
observe rudeness In the Interpretation or
any work written by so splendidly sound
en- artist as Beethoven. And Mr.. Lhevinne
was frequently rude in his utterance OF
Beethoven's beautiful and emotonally
symmetrical concerto yesterday. II was
not technically perfect, but despite the wlde
prevalence OF "virtuosity' "a fearful word0
no stress need or ought TO. be laid on that1
feature well constructed machine is
more perfect in the mere technic OF plano
forte PLAYING than the best OF our virtuosi. |
No machine can play a Beethoven concerto |
half az we'll as Mr.. Lhevinne played
the Emperor" yesterday, despite his
slips. They we're negligible features |
the elements which could not be over
looked were those which are inherent
I'm the beautiful soul Of music which |
the concerto embodies. When Mr.. Lhe- /
yinne overlooked these he necessarily
caused a curious questioning into his
nusicianship. He had an unsympathetic |
accompaniment, Mr.. stransky displaying
a singular conception Of the nature OF the \
work by treating nearly ell the tHfh pas !
sages as II they were merely so much |
yerplissaqe, 10 be disposed OF as quickly /
as possible. so that the solo instrument
might enter again Ga notion violently and |
distinctively in disagreement with that OF
Beethoven the author); but that did not
excuse the careless and coarse treatment
OF the passages in the solo which connect
the principal themes OF the first move
rnent and the last. These passages are
also Of the essence OF the concerto, and
keen Interpreter would have as little over
looked their significance for the sake Of
few thunderous effects which we're out
Of all balance with the rest as he would
have neglected the correct enunciation OF
the principal themes. AS for the accom- |
paniment II was on a par with that given
70 Miss Parlow's performance OF the
violin concerto week before last-except |
that there were some lamentable failures
Of entry on the part of the players Of
the wind instruments in -..e first and last
movements.
The concert began with Schuberts SYM
phony i'm e dhc familiar one. of course) !
n nd ended with the prelude TO die Mester- |
singer Won Niirnberg" The latter was one
a. Mr.. Stransky's show pieces at his first
concert: the former he had also produced |
4 discussion Of yesterdays performance
would bring no credit to Mr.. Stransky or
his orchestra. The beauty which lies in |
the music of Schubert cannot be achieved
either by the dynamic assaults which Mr.. |
MAILER made upon it or the restless and
distorted tempt OF Mr.. Stransky. This un- |
bappy restlessness eliminated toward the !
close OF the last movement in race on the
mart Of all the players, which seemed to be |
actuated only by the principle: Let the |
deyil take the hiudmost,' IL r. X.