Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1914-10-31

The Friday afternoon concert Of the
Philadelphia Orchestra was an interest
| ing one for many reasons. In many
ways II fell short Of being great, but the
audiences which come every Friday TO
the Academy are accustomed to take the
orchestra in its ups and downs and to
feel grateful that the Institution exists
| With it's present personnel and leader
ship the orchestra cannot help being the
finest cultural institution in the city.
The soloist. Frank Gittelson, Is Phil
aoelphian, only Is years old and already
violinist who makes demands for
serious attention. In fact, Mr.. Gittelson
Is something OF a problem. Yesterday
afternoon he played before an audience
which was friendly TO him. He was
nervous and lacking in grace, making UP
for spiritual fire by excessive movements
OF the body. His playing was technically
Just, and the lessons OF his masters were
noticeable In the fine lingering and bow
Ing he used. But there was something
lacking. something far more elemental
than technique, more essential than
ability, which is the free exercise of
genius. It cannot be said after yester-
days hearing that Mr.. Gittelson pos
sesses the vital elan which a great
vlolinist must have. On the other hand
1t cannot be definitely said that he lacks
that quality. The Lalo concerto he play
ed was no at testing for the young man.
Possibly in his recital later in the month
he will be able to set this doubt at rest.
The things that can be said to his credit
arc numerous His art Is never mere
tricious; he never tugs at his hearers
heartstrings In the way OF Mischa FL
man, and that ls very good because he
remains dign1ed. His appeal Ia more
honest. But he has yet to learn that a
great violinst can appeal knowingly with
out STOPPING to conquer. That Is the
lesson OF Fritz Rreisler, for example.
One need not make comparisons. The
great thing Is that Mr.. Gitteson has
command OF technique, has an exalted
conception of his art, and may. II the
internal explosion of genius comes, be
a great violinist.
II the soloist lacked a little, the SYM
phony lacked much. Bruckner's Fourth
symphony is unfulfilled. The first move
ment Is rich in the imagination-of other
composers. 1t Is robust and stirring,
but 1t has been heard before-in other
words. Freshness of theme the SYM
phony has not. The andante is pale, the
scherzo is only vulgarly interesting. a
hunting song wreathed about in contra
puntal decorations which add nothing to
1t. 1t has gusto. but not much taste.
The finale, at last. Ii original and in
teresting, but it docs not redeem the
symphony.
With this symphony Mr. StokowslSi and
his band struggled desperately, and won.
Except for the horns, which were much
In evidence and almost always raw,
brassy and crude of tone. and except
for the swapping strings, the orchestra
played excellently. Especially at the
close of the first movement, when by
sheer force Of nervous energy Mr.. Sto-
kowsk lifted the unlnspired music to
high level of emotional excitement His |
leading there and in the last movement |
was irreproachable. and the response OF
the players free. harmonious and SYM
pathetic. To bring the orchestra to this
pitch SO early in the season Is some
thing of an achievement for the con-
ductor. The Liszt Rhapsody was easier. |
to be sure, but it was played quite as |
well, with more enthusiasm. and in the |
quickstep the F'riss Of the Hungarian |
Czardas) 1t sent the blood little faster |
in civilized veins, and made the street
and the cold sunset, as one left the Acad-
emy, wonderfully cheerful and rich.