The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-10-23
SYMPHONY SOCIETY
BEGINS CONCERTS
Walter DamrOsch and His Or
chestra Heard in Interest .
ing Programme.
MR.. ELMAN THE SOLOIST

Tue symphony Society of New York
began its season Of concerts yesterday
afternoon at Aeolian Hail. The pro-
gramme comprised B~cetioven's fifth
symphony, G~oldnark's violin concerto
and an excerpt from the ballet music
Of "Daphnis and Chloe by Maurice
Ravel. The solo player was Mischa
Gilman, the Russian violinist, VINO was
not heard here last season. lie was
cordially received and heartily ~applauded
for his playing.
New York's provision OF orchestral
concerts IL always abundant. II will
he but little more SO than usual this
season. for wars in Europe do not I'LL
the westward bound ships with orches-
tras. Walter Dainrosch's organization Is
customarily first In the field and one Of
the last TO retire. Its list IL long and
It's activities as Il rule interesting. The
personnel OF the orchestra looked to be
unchanged YESTERDAY. The lions and the
lambs Of several nations sat down peace
fully together in the temple OF art. The
concert began with the music of a Ger
man immortal whose forebears entered
Teutonic domlnions from ~l.ouvain. one
invasion which has ~redounded to the
endless credit of Germany.
No one needs TO be afflicted with philo.
sophie commentary on the iifth SYM
phoEy At this day. II Is sufficient to
note this morning hat Mr.. Damrosch
and his men presented to their audience
a very carefully prepared performance.
Mr.. Damrosch had some personal points
TO make In his Interpretation. but since
they merely heightened certain empnases.
widened the contrasts between certain
tempt and made much of certain light
a,,I ahnlAU urtshntit Violating tho Gnirif
of the composition. but on the whole
rather stimulating interest in its hearing.
there shall be nothing here hut an ex-
preston OF gratitude for such precise
and brilliant orchestral delivery.
Last season Mr.. Damrosch produced
q sample OF the delineative dance music
composed by Mr.. Ravel and originally
produced by the Russian Ballet at the
Theatre du Chatelet. Paris. in 1912.
The piece heard yesterday was not the
same one. This one brought together
a nocturne frUn the end OF the first
scene. where nymphs seek to console
Daphnis for the loss of his Chloe. and
a war dance from a pirate ami scene
Thus ~juxtaposed. the two episodes make
an effectively connected adagio and al
legro.
This sort OF music !s not to ne appre-
ciated at its true value unless heard, as
the composer conceived II. as part OF u
theatrical performance. But even dis
ISOLATED from the scene and the action
IL II interesting. Vital with inagina-
ton. rich In orchestral skill and above
all aristocratic in idiom. this music OF
Ravel recalls the vivid impressions
made by hearing its predecessor last
winter.
The Goldmark violin concerto has not
haan n1a S.al nffat, In rArAnf aaasnpa and
a rehearing Of It yesterday had a GER
tain. II not great. value. The work
has an effective 1rst movement n II
was in this that Mr.. Elman's aggressive
art was displayed to the best advantage.
Goldmark was oriental in taste as well
as temperament. and In this first move
ment he expended the energies OF his
mind in building up a series OF vigorous
contrasts between his two chief theinatic
ideas. contrasts pulsating with orchestral
blood and rich in well planned. IL not
important. violin u~tterances. Mr.. Ell
man seemed especially delighted with the
cantabile theme. TO which he lent lush
beauty OF tone and seductive
ness OF style.
In the pointless and heavy footed slow
movement he made az much as possible
of poorer material. while in the finale
he brought beauty OF tone and flnesse Of
style to the construction OF "A brilliant
performance. There were moments yes
terday when Mr.. Elman seemed to move
toward that broader reposefulness OF
style which his admirers hope TO see
grow more palpable. But throughout
the concerto the resources OF the violin
lists ,echnic seemed almost i~nexhaustiblc
and his fellow players of the same in
strument must have found much to en-
.ite their admiration.