Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-05-30
fine GREETING IS
GIVEN ORCHESTRA
Opening Concert by Tri-City SYM.
phony Organization Attracts an
Enthusiastic Audience.
MUSIC Is OF POPULAR APPEAL
Conscientious Work on Part of Nusi.
clans and Their Director Shown in
Program at Burtis.

The tri-City community gave its
Youngest, but very sturdy musical or
eanization, the Tri-Citv SYMPHONY
orchestra. q reception last evening al
the Burtis opera house, Davenport.
that was as credible as it must have
been fatteing TO Ludwig Becker. the
director. and his orchestra of so pieces.
A great COnCourse of musicians. music
lovers and people attracted by the i'm
portance of the event gathered from
the tri-city community to hear the or
chestra in its initial public appearance.
The program which was set forth at
this entertainment was not of that
character which was likely to bore the
people who listened to il. There was
plenty of tune, and it was good tune.
and the orchestra delivered itself of
effective Interpretation and crowned
itself with glory. Although organized
less than six months the program pre-
scented last evening had the flavor of
the work of a mature organization,
and while the ensemble, it is true. was
not perfect, in general the playing was
pleasant 10 the ear and showed care
full, conscientious work on the part of
both the director and the orchestra
members.
The program enlisted the coopera-
ton OF two soloists, Miss Esther
Plumb, COntralto. of Chicago, formerly
of Davenport, and Robert Macdonald,
pianist The former is a singer OF re-
markable intelligence and skill She
presented the aria from Tannhauser.
"Dich Theure Halle" which is not, as
many Of Wagners vocal works are.
ungrateful TO singers who do not like
to retire from the stage without the
acclaim of the people ringing in their
ears 1t has its effective points, and
Miss Plumb took advantage of them so
much 10 the delight of the audience
that she was compelled TO respond
singing Love Is the Wind" She was
in good voice, her enumeration was
delight and she sang with intelligent
understanding Of the demands of the
work. Mrs. 1udo Starbuck acted as
the accompanlst, playing as always, in
perfect sympathy with the performer
Brilliant PIANO Performance.
Mr.. Macdonald elected TO be heard
in Concerto for piano and orchestra
G Minor Op. %, Saint Saens. playing
the three movements, andante sOsten-
uto, allegro sCherzando and presto.
His Interpretation Of this master work
was characterized by breadth, absence
Of all additions. purity of style and
technic that purged it of all trace of
overdone emOtonalism and theatriC
tendencies. He played conscientiously,
but with artistic finish, not permitting
his efforts TO become studied The
piano sang under his fingers when the
melody was broad and his fingers
danced over the keys in the lively
tarantalle which worked up to SPLEEN
did climax. His performance was bril-
liant and rendered especially interest
ing because of the unacCustomed dash
and vigor OF reading. He was given
splendid support by Mr. Becker and
the orchestra, with the result that the
soloist was in perfect sympathy with
the body Of the players
The opening number by the Orches-
ira was the prelude to Die Meister-
singer Won Nurnberg" Orchard Wag-
nerl, played with careful adherence
to the demands of the work, accenting
the general theme of the work, the
prize song, with good musical feeling.
The big number of the program was
the symphony No. B Minor unfin-
lshedD, by Franz Schubert. given so
splendidly that at its conclusion the
director and orchestra were given what
amounted to an ovation by the inter-
ested audience. The shading OF feel
ing was exquisitely done and the tonal
effects were remarkable. in fact the
Minneapolis symphony orchestra on its
recent appearance here played the
number no better
To close the program the orchestra
gave three short numbers, "Elegie"
from "Serenade" for string orchestra,
waltz from ballet "Dornroeschen" and
Marche Slave" all by TschaikOwsky.
The first IS singularly musical and
plaintiff, the second most interesting
and pleasing number and the last full
OF tone and splendid climaXes. The
numbers were well played and at their
conclusion the audience was most
uemonstrative in its appreciation.
support Is Asked.
During a short intermission Ex-
Mayor 4. c. Mueller. one Of the cello
players in the orchestra, addressed the
audience and asked the support of the
u-clty community in the maintenance