Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1914-04-15
CHORAL SOCIETY IN
SPLENDID RECITAL
Both Afternoon and Evening Con-
certs Merit the Large Audi
ences in Attendance

Before what was in all probability
! the largest audience which ever at
tended symphony concert in this city
the Russian Symphony Orchestra, con-
Quoted by Modest Altschuler, yester-
| day afternoon opened the annual
| Easter music festival of the Harris
burg Choral Society. This season
marks the first that this orchestra has
appeared in this city, and while the
such as are usually heard played by a
symphony orchestra. Mr. Altschuler
used admirable taste in the selection
of his numbers. Avoiding, as he did,
the large symphonies, he presented a
well-balanced program of smaller Sc
lections we'll within the capabilities of
the number of instruments he is using
on this tour. His orchestra numbered
but thirty-five. made up six first vio-
! Inns. six second violins. two cellos, two
| trumpets, two bassoo. 4, two clarinets,
three French horns. two trombones.
| one English horn. harp, alto, three
double bass. kettle and snare drums,
piccolo and flute.
The charming and well-known over
ture from "Mignon" by Thomas opened
| the program. So persistent was the
audience In its applause of this num-
Der that an encore, "Humoresque," by
| Dvorak, was rendered. At both the
beginning of this and of the encore of
the sixth number enthusiastic admirers
| of their favoriteS" were transported
to the heights of applause during the
opening bars. One becomes accus-
toned to outbursts of this kind at
vaudeville show, but during SYM
| phony concert such action is strangely
out of place.
i Well-Rendered Program
The largo from the New World"
symphony by Dvorak was not only
played in most finished style. but
was in all probability the most inter-
esting number on the program. This
symphony is characteristically Ameri-
can and Dvorak makes the most of
the possibilities presented by the In
dian themes and best works out the
development Of these themes in the
d fiat major largo.
Bernard Altschuler. cello soloist,
used the "Andante Cantabile" by
Chopin and the fascinating Pas Pied"
by Gillet for his numbers and re-
sponded to an encore with Saint-Saens'
THE Swan"
OF the twenty Liszt rhapsodies the
second Is probably the best known,
and it was this one which was used
the orchestra was heard at it's best,
especially in the last of the three
movements, the wild, unrestrained
czardas of the Hungarian gypsy.
Three small numbers, 'Praeludium,"
by Jaernfelt; the pleasing ballet music
from Life for the Gar" by Glinka,
and the dance of fairy dolls from the
"Nuteracker" suite by Tschaikowsky,
introduced the celeste, an instrument
which, not altogether new, is but sell
dom used. The tone of this instru-
ment is of exquisite purity and is used
where special tonal quality is desired
!, in ballets and mysterious numbers.
; Nh0 fV,at,-. Dc. .f 1,a..
monica family, in which plates of
, steel suspended over resonating boxes
of wood are struck by hammers. Its
beautiful qualities were best heard in
the last number, to which Nine. Ros-
sini graciously responded to her en-
core by repeating the number.
Dance of the Hours
OF the remaining numbers the
Dance of the Hours" from Pom
chiellis "Giaconda," which was en-
cored with Rubenstein's Spring Song"
and the March Slav," by Tschai-
kowsky. were notably well done. The
piercing calls of the trumpets and the
' heavy tones of the brass were notice.
: able, but great deal of credit is due
: Mr.. Altschuler for the mastery way
he produced this brilliant march of
l somber theme which in the finale
, brings into prominence the Russian
national air so magnificently.
/ Taking the concert in it's entirety,
the orchestra played with vim and
vigor. but lacked the finish which is
the dominant feature of the larger
symphony orchestras.
t Choral Recital
The Harrisburg Choral Society last
night produced in its nineteenth sea-
Y son, 1.-The Elijah" by Mendelssohn, un-
der the dictatorship of ]. Fred Wolfe
assisted by the Russian symphony Or
chestra. Miss Marie Stoddart, soprano;
+, Miss. Brenda Macrae, contralto; Roy
1 Steele, tenor and Mr.. Stanley, baritone
were the assisting artists.
Too much praise cannot be given Mr.
4 Wolfe for the wonderful chorus work
;, of the society. Seldom one hears q
chorus so perfectly balanced and so re-
:, approached perfection.
), of f, Elijah to the people of Israel tha,
Rain These Years" The samber
. despairing overture for the or
g 9 ehsestra in the score was omit
: ately followed by the plaintive cry OF
the people in the chorus, Help, Lord.
r which in three passionate appeals Leads
II Zion Spreadeth Her Hands" will
J. chorus, Lord, Bow Thine Ear to Oui
:, Prayer" the theme of which is al
old Hebrew chant, sung alternately by
The plea of obadiah, "Ye People
Rend Your Hearts," Immediately fol
:, lowed by the tenor aria, IF With AL
t Your Hearts," was splendidly sung b.
II Mr.. Steele, as was the double quartet
For He Shall Give His Angels" IL
!. which Mrs. Cox, Miss Middaugh, MIR
|. Allen and Mrs. Hartman assisted.
10 The scene between "The Widow
: and Elijah" brought into prominenc,
the beautiful dramatic power of Mis-
# Stoddart's voice. The next scene Ii
: which Elijah" before "Ahab," chal
= lenges the priests of Baal to "Se,
Whose God Is Lord" the challenge il
vigorous recitative, followed by th
II rugged paganistic double chorus, 'Baal
l. We Cry to Thee interrupted will
It taunting recitatives of "Elijah to 'Cal
n Him Louder" marked the most dra
70 matte work of the evening Mr.. Stan
ley sang well the dignifed prayer
:. Lord, God of Abraham" The momen
It of quiet before thew fire dscends t,
s. consume the offering was given in th
d spjlendidly sung chorale, Cast Th.
Burden Upon the Lord" Again in 9TH
,s Fire Descends From Heaven" accom-
70 panied by initiative music, the chorus
q In its work was remarkable. In tn,
# aria, SIS Not His Word Like a Fire
Mr.. Stanley was a bit uncertain ant
q did not give the piece the dramatic in
's depreciation which it demands. Th,
- first part cuoses with the rain descend
L ing and the praise of the people il
Thanks Be to God" In this last par
}. Hugh Wall, boy soprano soloist of st
>. Stephens, beautifully sang the part O