The Washington herald., 1916-02-04

Charms HEARERS
Harold Bauer, Soloist of New
York Society, Makes
Strong Appeal.
HEAR DVORAK SYMPHONY
Glowing Richness and Optimism Of
Work Sympathetically Brought
Out by MIR. Stransky.

| The Philharmonic Society OF New York.
( Josef Stransky conducting, presented a
4 program of unusual beauty at the Ma
tional Theater yesterday afternoon. The
soloist was Harold Bauer, who played
/ the Schumann concerto In A minor. Mr..
/ Bauer plays with sincerity and intellectual
/ appeal, without any of the mannerisms
I popularly supposed to be affected by
! p,anists
| The first allegro movement of the con-
certo was given with a reserve and deli
cacy of technique and the pianissiIno pas
sages were remarkably clear and crisp,
I yet maintaining the warmth Of tone that
| pervades all this artists work. The in
termezzo was played with a fine senti-
ment. and the splendid singing qualities
( for which Mr.. Bauer Is noted were prom
inent. The brilliancy of technique, power
and invigorating rhythm of the last move
ment, allegro vivace, finished the con-
certo, which was a superb performance,
and the pianist was recalled by the en-
| thusiastic audience several times. The
work of the orchestra with its difficult
| syncopation, was excellent.
Dvornk Symphony Inspires.
The opening number. Dvoraks SYM
| phony in G major, an inspirational work
! of the great composer, was written after
his election to the Academy OF Arts and
! Sciences in Prague. where he died.
Throughout the entire work there is a
glowing richness of melody. Optimism
and Joy is revealed in all the four move
ments. The allegro conbrio is sprightly
and dainty, the adagio extremely origi-
nal in the abundance OF themes and
somewhat similar in contrast to the gen.
eral atmosphere of gladness that perme-
ates the work. The third movement Is
charming, full of lIghtness and grace.
and was loudly applauded. A strange,
almost fantastiCal trumpet solo opens the
I last allegro, and the theme Is taken up
by the 'cellos in an impressive manner.
| The movement expresses a sense of ella
/ tIon. The audience was very apprecia-
tive and Mr.. Stransky was recalled.
Tchaikowsky Work somber.
In direct contrast to the gayety
of the first number was the over
ture. Romeo and Juliet" by
Tchaikowsky. This is a tremendous
work. full OF strife and tragedy, but with
a wonderful love theme running through
| II, relieving the darkness and WEAKNESS
of the orchestration and thus this theme
at the close of the overture, is trium-
| phant
! The story. as told by Shakespeare, can
be followed in the different themes. The
work of the orchestra in the interpreta-
I llOn OI lHlS tragic overture cannot De 100
highly praised.
Liszt was the last composer on the
program and the Hungarian Rhapsody,
No. >, as read by Mr.. Stransky, was ex-
ceedingly enjoyable. This modest con-
ductor reads all scores well, but he Is
without a peer in the composition of
Listz. The wonderful volume Of tone
from the strings in the first part, Las
san,' and the rhythm and accent In the
furious "Frlska' aroused the enthusiasm
of the audience so high that the music
, lovers fingered and insisted by loud ap-
plause that Mr.. Stransky return to the
stage and acknowledge the appreciation.
! NJ. J. S.