Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-02-20

A concert OF the Philadelphia Orchestra
which is thoroughly dssatisfying Is
something of rarity. The audience at
the academy yesterday afternoon seemed
10 have little relish for the odd dish. the
music en- casserole, which was offered
them, and the musicians responsible
seemed also a trifie perfunctory In the
acceptance of uncrItical praise.
II has not been the habit of the writer
10 inquire into the opinions of others con-
cerning the concerts II has been his duty
10 review. For variety of reasons II
seemed best yesterday to corroborate
possibly unjust opinion; SO that the
statement made above, that the concert
was passively unsatisfactory and actively
dissatsfying may be taken with less
than the usual reserve. AS for the rea-
sons, which follow, the law of human fall
lbllity still holds good
But first a large exception to the above
should be made for the Brahms (third)
symphony with which the concert began.
IN II the orchestra was not always at It's
lucid and full-toned best, but the compre-
hension was wide, and the Interpretation
ol the conductor was full of sensibillty
ana OF the melancholy passion which the
Bmphony demands. The slow movement,
Win It's grave and intellectual sadness,
me sadness of all the things OF the mind.
vas admirably played, and the finale, with
rose really to an unhampered flow of SEN
unent TO which the auditor could readily
respond This Is another of the sym
pnonlc works In which the pure sunlight
ol emotion is centred through the burn
,ns-slass OF the Intellect; when the glass
e y true the light burns more iercely. Too
often In Brahms the glass seems to
WaYer
The concert. however, did not end there.
Sefruccio Busoni, gifted and talented pl-
enist, came TO play his own Indian
quite and returned after Mr.. Sandby's
music TO THE Woman and the Fid-
to play his own arrangement OF
. t4szts Spanish Rhapsody. OF Mr.. Sand
re music It is not unfair to say that
q oanee, which constituted the third
n.osemsnt, was the most satisfactory In
.sneslration and, since IL Is pure folk
c-nse. TIE most gratifying In melody.
~eftaihly happier orchestral utteranee
me nddler's magic music might have
80 found to displace the resounding
NJ NJ OF the finale OF the first movement.
~ ~ stokowskl accorded Mr.. Sandby the
~'aposers privilege OF conducting his
~ music One breathed then the hope
BE absent
Mr Busoni's equipment as an ex-
oo'aht' his splendid talent and hts care
,,stly wrought mastery over the plano,
ste y room for neither question nor
ss'asnent. He Is master pianist, and 1t
.hefefoFe, more the pity that he should
rsfs been satisfied 10 stand. after an abb
a ss or some years, on the Judgment
sn must have been formed from the
s,ssss ne played yesterday His indian
.e y remarkable only when II Is in=
eissnous' The exotic nature OF the IN
e'slls SONGS. based on the fye-tone scale.
sanifably reproduced in the piece, but
4, = not eolored with deft hand. nor does
E part played BY the plano Justify the
,t.sasiqn Of this instrument into the or
>-zstfa Il must be said that ar. Bu-
, playing OF this piece vas at
Rhsiic 10 an extraordinary degree; Ia
~ atnosphsre, and not In the absurd
;tssszsssiq, 49, les the viFtIA OF the piece. and
49, y small. because With Mr.. Bnsonl at
RAefe Is q question Of technique and
else, lie moved his hearers 70
-faz=a-e. but Il Is an open question
sasf be moved them to anything else
f 5-ne question applies unhappiiy. 70
\. ,-= z'stf shlqh brought ~. Busonl back
ep'endidl3 nlaycd And yef -.