Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-04-13
VERD|'S REQUIEM
THRILLS AUDIENCE
Dramatic Work Superbly Sung
by Wednesday Club Chorus
and Soloists.
PHILADELPHIA ORCHESTRA
Under Director Leopold Stokow-
ski, Fine Organization Makes
Strong Impression.
PHILADELPHIA ORCHESTRA
BY DOUGLAS GORDON.


one work alone, Vcrdfs Requiem" It
would stand already as an established
and approved success; for. as the great
Italians majestic mass for the dead
was sung by the chorus and visiting
poloists and played by the superb
orchestra that the management hap
PLY engaged for this season. the audi
ence last night was hushed and thrilled
and moved as no Richmond audience
has ever been affected by any work
In concert form within the present
memory.
Judging from the numbers OF the
audience that poured into the City
Auditorium for the first concert the
pecuniary outlook for the festival Is
also bright: but with that this column
mas little To do. except as n matter for
general rejoicing -t that the public
should continue TO give It's practical
support TO the most potent factor in
the musical development of the COM
munity.
NO DOUBT AS TO ARTISTIC
WORK OF MIG CHORUS
But there can be no doub, as 10 the
artistic value. the artistic heights. at
ta!ned by the club this season. Last
49, - -N''-N'S iIf! u.s. SuIlClent
TO assure tho lovers OF art. and the
followers Of music In general, and the
patrons OF the organization in partic-
ular. that the Wednesday Club has
won its way to musical plane that
Ii has but infrequently, II ever. reached.
There were only two numbers on the
program--!f SO light word may be
us"d in referring TO the works SO
designated = but they were. as they
were presented, a music festival in
themselves. veritable festival OF
music They were Liszts symphonic
poem, Les Preludes." and Verdrs
Requiem" Doubtless they have a
somewhat heavy" sound and doubt
.tss. also, many who felt unable to
attend all the concerts of the series
remained away for that reason. Fortu-
nately for them, Il will be Impossible
to make clear to them TO describe with
anything approaching adequacy, the
quality of the musical loss that they
suffered.
LIES PRELuDES" INTRODUCES
ORCHESTRA AND CONDUCTORS
Les Preludes" served 10 introduce
the conductor and the orchestra chosen
for this season-and, it is to be hoped.
and the Philadelphia Orchestra This
noted example OF program music" has
been played in Richmond n number of
by section of the
Metropolitan Orchestra under Mr.. Pas
ternack. In 1911. and by the New York
philharmonic Orchestra under Mr.
Stransky. In 1912. but IL may we'll be
doubted II II has ever been given so
exquisite
Stokowski last night.
To the average man, who reads tbot
Liszt set. as II were. his music 10 the
poetic meditation of Lamartine: "What
else Is our life than n series Of pre-
ludes to that unknown song OF which
the first solemn note is struck bv
death? Love is the morning GLOW of
every heart: but in what human career
have not the frs, ecstasics OF bliss
been broken by the storm, whose cruel
breath destroys fond illusions. and
blasts the sacred shrine with the bolt
of lightning. And what soul. sorely
wounded, does not, emerging from the
tempest, seek TO indulge It's memorials
In tho calm of country life? Never
theless, man will not resign hims.If
for long to tn" soothing charm of nuiet
the signal OF alarm. he runs to the
pcrilous post. whatever be the cause
that calls him to the ranks of war
that he may find In combat the full
consciousness of himself and the com
mand Of all his powers"-to such n
man. to repeat. Les Preludes" sug-
gests many things.
STOKOwSI<rS PLAYING
WORK OF REAL ARTIST
Many images form themselves. be-
sides those that are forced by the mere
meaning of the conventional words
that indicate the commonly accented
sections---the Introduction, with its
"frst solemn note: love, with Its sec
ond theme; storm; country life; war,
and the tremendous conclusion. in
which the first theme is elaborated.
adorned and magnified to an astound
ing climax. And TO the forming of
these images and reflections Mr. Sto-
kcwski, by his delicate, his Impressive
and his infinitely careful playing of
the piece. lent an artists aid play
Ing" is the proper word: he plays bjs
orchestra
Numerous fine orchestras have been
heard here-Damrosch's. the Metro
politan and the New York Philhar-
monlc to go no further-and the most
salient difference between Mr.. Sto-
kowski's and all the others would
seem TO lie In the fact that his ARE
younger men. who show IN entlusia SIN
and play with fire. an individual In
tenseness. that mono of the other or
ranks seemed to possess,
How much of this is due TO Mr.. Sto
kowskrs own force. magnetism and in
spring influence Ia difficult to saw.
But the result. however attained, is
readily apparent
For another quality OF this orchestra
and its men. ell Richmond has cause
to be profoundly grateful---their cheer
full aud helpful willingness to be con-
ducted by another than their own di-
rector. Many OF us have observed