New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-04-20
A Jealous Band, Seeking to
Create a Love of Or
Chestral Music.
LAUCELLA'S NEW WORK
HEARD FOR FIRST TIME
A Musical Delineation of a
Sunday in an Italian
Village.
Br " r. kREHBITI.

The Italian symphony Society, which
practically opened the season Of orches-
trail concerts on the first Sunday Of last
October. brought it 10 close Yesterday
afternoon by second concert in Aeolian
Hall As on the first occasion, Mr.. Pietro
Florida conducted There were evidences
in plenty that neither the conductor nor
his men are on terms Of intimacy with the
symphonic masterpieces. and like unfa-
miliarity Cor, II not that, a large spirit Of
national pride which Il would be churlish
70 look upon intoierantly) vas obvious I'm
the enthusiastic reception given by
hardsoi e audience 10 everything done 1t
Is not likely that many Of the men in the
band are members Of either Of our es-
tablished symphonic organizations. They
are a busy folk. occupied day n and day
out AT the theatres, and in their sacrifice
Of time and labor TO prove that the opera
does not sum UP all Of the musical activi-
ties Of Italy they are doing a praise
worthy thing That they are embarrassed
by a paucity Of orchestral music COM
posed by their countrymen would seem 10
be indicated by their programmes Bee
thoven's Pastoral symphony was played
by them last October. and also the prel
ude 10 Wagner's "Meistersinger." and
yesterday the chief number in Mr.
Flnridia's scheme was Beethovens
"Eroica-" 1t would go i'll with the or
chestra II a comparison were 10 be insti-
tuted between its performances OF such
music and that TO which the public is ac-
customed 10 hear from bands Ike those
Of Boston and the Philharmonic and
SYMPHONY societies. but under the cir
cumstances the comparison is not called
for. II Is enough 10 give the artists credit
for an earnest endeavor 70 do COM
mendable musical deed
II the Italian symphony Orchestra could
find the time and spare the money 20
bring forward some Of the symphonies
and symphonic poems which have been
composed in recent years by men OF the
'progressist' school in Italy (Zandonai
and others) its concerts would have great
er educational interest than they have
had thus far though II is doubtful II they
would have given as much genuine pleas
ure 10 such ingenious music lovers as
composed yesterdays audience They
were delighted with the Beethoven sym
phony. and went into raptures over what
was set down in the list OF pieces as p
symphonic picture Of Sunday in an Italian
village composed by Nicola Laucella,
who also conducted the performance Mr..
Laucela IS a fautlst I'm the Philharmonic
Society's orchestra. and, though born in
Italy. has been in America ever since he
-
TO Join the Philharmonic he played for
three years In the Pittsburgh Orchestra.
lie is therefore a pretty good American,
though a modern cosmopolite I'm music.
This fact was A little more obvious in his
symphonic poem "Consalvo." which was
performed in November. 1872. by the Phil
harmonic Society, than it was in the bet
ter wrought and more effective work
played for the first time Yesterday. In
melodist Of the type Of the modern opera
writer's. He was invited TO a simpler ard
more tuneful style. indeed. by his choice
OF subject The music with which he IN
dertook 10 illustrate Leopardfs poem had
10 he largely retrospective. The poem
deals with the morbid thoughts and mag
inings Of a dying man, called back 10
momentary happiness by the kiss Of 4
woman who comes 10 him when he is
already moribund, and whom he had
loved without confessing the fact. The
poetic elements I'm the new piece are the
reveries OF an old man in the streets Of
an Italian village. \ quiet introduction
depicts early morn in the empty streets;
then follow the awakening Of the COM
munity. the gathering OF the villagers
about the church whore the children play
nerrily until the sacred office begins
within the fame. the talk OF lovers. and
finally the passing Of the procession bear
ing the irrage Of the patron saint. Much
Of Nj Lauceila's music Is opposite and
beautiful. especially the ecclesiastical cpl
sode. but 1t is unfortunate that in his
dynamic cl.maXes he gives A proclama-
ton which endansers the ear drums OF
his listeners 10 tunes which can only be
described as vulgar and banal. That they
greatly stirred sle audience YESTERDAY
may he evidence OF the truthfulness OF
Mr. Laucella's picture.
The concert began with an overture IN
r bv Boccherni. who lives in the con-
cert rooms Of to-day chiefly by his dainty
minuet for strings. quartet or two and
as many solo pieces for the violoncello.
Compared with these pieces the over
ture had no great amount OF melodic
charm. Its most interesting feature FOR
the connoisseur was its preservation OF
some Of the formal elements Of the
classic concerto crosse Of the Bach
period A slow movement In the style
Of a barcarolle for strings and harp. by
Mancinelli. once conductor at the Met
ropolitan Opera House. sounded particu-
larlv blameless when one read the an
nouncement that IL was written as an
intermezzo for Cossa's tragedy, Cleo
natra." 4 transposition made by Mar
tucci OF his own pianoforte Tarantelle.
on Al. brought the concert 10 close.
Nearly all the listeners seemed 10 be
Italians o, refinement, and their ap-
provai was expressed with great hearth
ness