Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-04-14
ORCHESTRA SURPRISES ANY
ONGANlINTION EVER HEARD HERE

As an accom- panying instrument. the
Philadelphia Orchestra. under the SYM
patheuc and artistic baton OF Mr.
Stokowski, certainly surpassed any
orchestral organization that has ever
appeared in Richmond; and as a sym
phonY organization it will be reme,n-
bered FOR many years. The two short
pieces or Sibelius played last night
were both poignantly effective quite
apart from the fact that their per
iormance introduced the work OF a man
hltherto almost unknown To Richmond
or 10 Richmonds public. "Finlandia,''
the tone poem. in particular. seemed
brief and tragic epitome OF a tragic
history
Familiar to most church-ocrs
Gounod's by Babylon's Wave" was
exceedingly we'll sung by the chorus.
accompanied by the orchestra under the
direction OF Mr.. Baker: the motel,
Judge Me. 0 God" OF Mendclssohn,
10 surprise and delight the lovers OF
chorus singing in presenting the chorus
una ccompanied, and the "Hallelujah
chorus though taken at much
slower tempo than is usual--a tempo
perhaps too slow for the size OF his
chorus-was powerfully done.
SALIENT FEATURES WERE
TIE "REQUIEM" AND ORCHESTItA
But the short chorus numbers for the
Wednesday Club last night were not
needed 10 Impress upon the public the
fact that Mr.. Baker has accompl! she'd
great things: the singing OF Verdi s
Requiem" on Monday night was suf-
ticicnt TO make that impression deep
and indelihle.
SO that 10 many OF MS, contrary 10
the rule that has obta ncd for years,
the salient features ofithis music fas-
tiva! were, are, and Will remain, not
the wonderful singing of some great
artist or artists. but--the "Rcquicm"
and the Philadelphia Orchestra.
MATINEE GIVES WIDE SCOPE
no CONDUCTOR STOKoWSkI
Following the custom of years, the
afternoon was devoted chiefly TO in
strumental numbers, and the custom
proved particularly happy yesterday,
since it gave, for the first time. wide
scope TO Mr. Stokowski and his orches-
ira for the display Of their art and mu-
steamship, and permitted the prcscn-
tation OF Il brilliant young pianist
Florence Iarrabee. However, as is
also the custom, the afternoon concert
was not confined to the performance
of orchestral and instrumental numbers
but was varied by the Introduction OF
n singer. This variation, too. was cspc-
cially grateful, since II was marked by
the return Of one of the most highly
regarded singers that Richmond and
the Wednesday, club have ever known
L--Emilio de Gogorza.
without n score, AS usual, Mr.. Sto-
kowsk conducted the overture to Mo-
! Zarts Marriage of Figaro" with Il beat
so decided. a magnetism so irresistible
and a manifestation of temperament
SO compelling that the familiar number
| took on new meaning. glowed with new
melodies that are often unrevcalcd by
conductors less insistent upon disclos-
! Ing them. Wherever the composer
whether Mozart or another. has scored
an outstanding passage for any par
ticular section of the orchestra. Mr.
! StokowSki incXorabiy, SO TO speak
bushes the other instruments sufficient
/ ly to make that section audible, II not
prominent. And that is another Of the
many reasons why Mr.. Stokowski is al
/ together the most completely satisfy
Ing conductor that the Wednesday Club
has ever succeeded in obtaining for any
! OF its Notwithstanding within this
decade.
| PERSISTENT HAMMERING IN
! ALLEY ALMOST SPOH.S SYMPHONY
In spite OF a persistent hammerinG in
/ the alley just behind the seats Of tho
chorus. which almost spoiled n large
pnrt OF the second movement, the per.
/ Torrance Of Bccthovcns fifth--and best
! loved mphony was in itself q whole
/ concert. Whether the theme suggest
Ing Fate knocking at the door of hui
man existence he followed seriously by
f, the auditor or not: whether he attempt
TO visualize, with the assistance OF tho
music. the peace that follows I'm the
rccond movement. and to feel the spirit
Of conIuorinE self that is believed &c
be Buggcatcd In the third movement, OF
whsther he sit and drink IL in merely
az absolute" music, pure" muSic---iQ