Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1915-11-12
DAMROSCH GIVES
PLEASING CONCERT
Elman Plays Faultlessly, De-
lighting Big Audience of
Music Lovers

4 fine soloist, an eminent conduc-
tor, first-claSs orchestra, a beautiful
program, and a great audience, al
! working together for good. made las
nights concert at the Chestnut Stree
Auditorium an event of pure joy anC
inspiration. The audience was goo6
to look upon. 1t was eager, apprecia-
tive and enthusiastic. and listened vel
10 the offerings of Mr.. Damrosch and
his men.
Mr.. Damrosch long ago proved
himself as an orchestra conductor
and musician of high rank. In spite
OF the fact that our leading American
orchestras have imported conductors
Mr.. Damrosch alone has held his own
and stands to-day not only the ablest
OF our American orchestral conductors
but equal to the best of our imported
brethren
The program opened auspiciously
and appropriately with Beethovens
great c minor Symphony (No. 81.
Who shall analyze the masters
hllnd' heart or soul in this immortal
musical outpouring?
There is no motto. no suggestion,
no story bequeathed TO us for guild
ance. Repeated hearings, even, would
only allow us to approximate the
workings of a mind no man has yet
entirely grasped. Beethoven is not
for the skeptical or shallow. His mu-
sic still stands supreme-vigorous,
lofty and mighty.
The c minor Symphony was the first
in which Beethoven expressed himself
freely and absolutely. He threw away
all traces of Journalism; ignored, yea,
defied the critics and gave vent. forci-
bly, and truthfully to his musical feel
ings.
The first movement suggests a ques-
ton, struggle with fate with an un-
derlying touch of anxiety as to the
outcome. The Andante could properly
be termed Religioso. 1t is prayerfui,
peaceful, leading to reinsurance and
JOY. The ScherZo is a sudden depar-
ture from the two first movements. 1t
seems to indicate relaxation from the
serious thought preceding. 1t is full
OF humor fancy and bold sarcasm. He
Is mocking his critics. and holding
them up to his grotesque whims. The
entire movement, however, is wonder
fully constructed with a decided swing
and abounding with clever devices
Without break the fourth movement
is carried forward taking on a tri-
umphant note-as if the struggle was
won and final victory assured.
The orchestra under Mr.. Damrosch
played the entire work magnifcently.
Light and shade was constant. Tre-
mendous climaXes were secured, and
at times the pianissimo passages whis-
pered sweetly, comforting phrases.
The players knew they were playing
the masters music and bent to their
tasks with reverence and sincerity
The tonic of the orchestra is much
improved over the last hearing by the
writer. The string section especially,
which is more homogeneous and force
full.
"On Hearing the First Cuckoo in
Spring" by Delius, was announced by
Mr. Damrosch as a novelty. Mr..
Delius has cleverly circumvented the
argument as to whether the cuckoo
sings a major or minor third, by en-
ploying both effectively. The piece
would be more effective if a trifie
shorter.
The Percy Granger numbers We're
we'll contrasted and very, very taking.
The Irish song is a lovely character
istic.
Irish melody arranged for strings
alone. Shepherds Hey is is an old
Irish dance tune and how they did
play it. The Irish style of bringing
the feet down at certain endings of the
tune was cleverly represented and
worked out. There was a lilt a good
cheer rollicking motion that put
everybody back in their teens. The
orchestra added as encores Anitra' 8
Dance and Hall of the Mountain King
both from Grieg's Peer Gynt Suite.
Mr.. Mischa Elman was applauded
warmly when he appeared for his first
number, Lalo Concerto.
This work is written well. and Sc
riously, but 1t can lay no claim to
greatness. 1t does not sustain interest
The second movement has a certain
charm to be sure, and the first and
last movements, contain here and
there movements of rare interest and
enhancing melody-but the chief aim
seems to have been to show the posi-
bilities of the violin and-the violinist
Mr.. Elman found everything there
was to find in the Sonata. He played
1t faultlessly, and showed us masterful
technique and fine command of
tone color. He was recalled seven
times, but each time came with empty
hands.
The no-encore rule may be firmly
established in our largest cities (al-
though we doubt it,. but the audience
last night was plainly disappointed
and would rather had "a wee bit tune"
than the sevenfold pilgrimage.
However, after playing the Schubert
Ave Marie and the Souvenir de Mos
COW, he did play the lovely Rondino
from a Theme of Beethoven's, arrang-
ed by Kreisler. The Souvenir de Mos
COW was marvellous for its clarity, exc
cution, tone quality and perfect trills.
Mr. Elman charms and astonishes
He secures a lovely singing tone al
ways clear and true to pitch. He is
always sure of himself. He does not
thrill, however, but that will come in
time. He is great artist
Thank you, Messrs. Hand and Sigler
for a wonderful evening
JOHN W. PHILLIPS.