The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-11-14
MUSIC OF BRAHMS
PLAYED BY BAUER
Second Concert Of Symphony So
ciety an Entertainment of
Unusual Merit.
MOZART STILL YOUTHFUL

The second Friday afternoon concert
OF the symphony Society in Aeolian Hall
yesterday was an entertainment OF the
most delightful character Good music.
enthusiasm In Its performance and an
audience OF sympathetic listeners made
an excellent combination. Tho pro-
gramme consisted OF Weber's "Ooeron"
overture, Mozart's Jupiter symphony
Llszt's st Francis Preaching to tho
Birds and Brahms's d minor concerto
for pianoforte with orchestra. The
pianist was Harold Bauer
Setting aside the translated trills OF
the List piano piece decked out 20
make an orchestral holiday all the music
was stimulating In the best way weber's
ever fresh and brilliant instrumental song.
flashing In Its splendid vrtuoslty and
fred with the spirit OF Germany's young
romanticism, was played with uncommon
richness OF tone. precision and elasticity
Of style by Walter Damrosch's men.
Despite the exciting effect of the over
ture. the nobility and spontaneity OF
Mozart's great symphony in were made
clear The simplicity Of the means the
indebtedness OF the musical stvlc, enc
easy mastery OF materials and the end
less flow OF unstrained melody keep this
symphony. now a little more than a CEN
fury and quarter old, ever youthful
Much new matter that now seems to us
prodiglOus. much that appears to sing
tho spiritual burdens OF the struggling
age in which we live. will have passed
on into the limbo OF worn out things In
years when this Joyous cantcle Of youth
will still gladden. the peoples.
As for the Brahms concerto, that is a
finer utterance OF Its time than many a
promising piece OF programme music. A
composition conceived in big ideas
moulded in majestic lines and made with
irresistible temperament. It Is music for
strong men and grand women. Critics
OF It's first performances found Il dry
and faUguing" But one must not for
get that the interpretive thought OF
Brahms. his terse Sallustian phrase. his
rigorous logic, the austerity OF his melo-
die diction and his sensitive avoidance
OF a manner OF ornamentation which was
then regarded as essentially characteris-
tic of plano writing were entirely strange
and even shocking to his hearers II Is
only In comparatively recent years that
American music lovers have penetrated
the inner shrine OF Brahms's thought.
and II may fairly be added that only in
the same time have conductors and solo
performers found the most convincing
manner OF interpreting his music.
For the performance OF yesterday af-
ternoon there can he nothing but en-
thusiastic praise. II was splendidly
conceived and n brilliantly delivered In
depreciation OF a masterpiece. Mr.. Bauer
played the piano part with eloquence, with
temperamental force. begotten OF his in
tense alteration for the work and made
possible by his consummate art. Mr..
Damrosch and his orchestra met the de-
mands OF the pianist In letter and spirit
with an accompaniment which was fun
OF meaning ana was In attack and rhyth-
mic accuracy most admirable.
Performances which come or so
much to the satisfaction OF all concerned
are not as certain as the amateur might
think. The best laid plans OF the con-
ductors and stars. like those OF mice.
gang aft aglee." The programme OF yes
terday will be repeated tomorrow, and
tho best that can be wished for the au-
dlence Is that It will be as fortunate as
its predecessor.