The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-01-09
JOSEF HOFFMAN, Is
SYMPHONY SOLOIST
Offers Chopin's Concerto in L
Minor at First Appear
ance This Season.

The Symphony Society with Walter
Damrosch conductor. resumed It's Friday
afternoon series Of concerts yesterday at
Aeolian Hall with a programme of music
mostly by modern composers of later
day time. Josef IIofmann was the
soloist. He played the Il minor con-
certo OF Chopin.
Great interest was manifested In Mr..
Hofmanns appearance. and this was
no doubt partly due to the fact that IL
was his FIRST hearing here this season, as
well as being also the only time that
he will play with orchestra, save at the
society's concert tomorrow. when yes
terday's programme will b repeated.
That the choice Of Chopins concerto In
+ minor as made for two occasions thus
important would hardly be OF a relative
musical significance TO best suit the taste
OF many OF Mr.. Hofnann's admirers here
may readily be assumed, though II can
be remembered that the guidance OF selec-
ton in programmatic matter frequently
belongs to such features as harmonic
adjustment or the avoidance OF future
repetition. and hence i. beyond the
momentary control OF either sololst or con-
ductor.
The work is one that offers Utmost
endless opportunity for the possession OF
a clean and clear technic, tonal beauty
and resources OF delicacy in the variance
tent has to bring. as being that which
reaches TO any unusual depth and breadth
IN interpretative profundty, = OF less
Importance. Mr. Hofmann's performance
OF the concerto was very beautiful display
in all the requirements II makes OF the
pianists art. lie played IL with a lovely
singing quality OF tone, charming style
and rare taste in feeling. II was a
mastery delivery of its kind and one
that exhibited In a due measure the
brillance of pianoforte vituosity.
The first part Of the programme was
given over TO Tschaikowsky's forNth gym
phony. composition that had already
received two performances here this week,
each from different conductors. II was
now indeed Mr.. Damrosch's turn 10 add
his own. and he entered upon its perform
anoe with evident sympathy and en-
thusiasm. II Is a work that his orchestra
is wont to play with fine interpretatve
power and skill, and yesterday this skill
was again we'll displayed in the reading
heard. II was one OF finely planned pro-
portions, which were closely followed in a
delivery eXceliently supported by the quail
tiles OF fine tonal balance and color. The
second and third movements lacked some
thing In resonance OF tone and brilliancy.
but this lack was largely due to the
acoustics of the hall, which are not well
adapted to orchestral playing. The per-
Torrance OF the symphony as whole
WAS received with much favor, and this
Mr.. Damrosch had his orchestra rise and
share with him.
The number following was THE Swan
Of Tuonela," by Sebellus. The full score
of this selection, which is the third part
OF symphonic poem in four parts. en-
titled "Lemminkaeinen,' bears. accord
ing to Daniel Masons programme notes
OF yesterday. the following note: "Tuonela,
the kingdom OF death, the hades OF Fin
nish mythology, is surrounded by wide
river of black water aid rapid currents,
upon which the Swan Of Tuonela glides.
majestcally singing" The music Is quito
effective In color!ng and carries through
out a sad swanllke melody, though II SUI
fers monotony through repetition In de-
veopment IL was well played. however
and hence received an added interest.
The symphonic fragment "Paphnis and
Chloe" of Raven, which was in the list
as request number. served TO bring TO
a close the music OF the afternoon.