New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-01-08
Stransky and Damrosch
Pay Tribute to DvOrak's
Masterpiece.
FEEBLE OVERTURE BY
RICHARD WAGNER
Kreisler Introduces a Fine Work
by GodOWski at
Aeolian Hall.
BY II. f. KREHBIEL.

Hau captlouS critic or curious CON
noisseur wished to compare our local
symphony orchestras and their con
certs would have afforded him an ad-
mirable opportunity. Dvorak's sym
phony in + minor, From the New
World" vas a feature on the pro-
grammes Of both the Philharmonic and
symphony societies, and its place in
the schemes made it possible for per-
son to have heard all Of il at Aeolan
Hall, when Mr.. Walter Damrosch and
his men gave it an unusually brilliant
Performance and then to have reached
Carnegie Hall IN time TO hear it played
by the Philharmonic band under the
direction Of Mr.. Stransky.
At the latter concert the splendid
composition, which has worn better
than any symphony by q latter-dsy
composer during tho twelve years Of
It's life, represented all the music
which possessed solid merit on the pro-
grsmme. The other pieces were un-
familiar TO the large majority of listen
ers, and proved TO be quite as unin-
teresting as they are unfamiliar.
They were the overture to Wsgner's
opera "Die Feen," concerto in ID
minor. for violin, By Edmund Severn
& local musician Of English BIRTH, and
LISTS "Orpheus."
"A feeble echo Of Weber's style and
feebler premonition OF thought which
was revsmped, and much bettered, in
'Tannhauser," was the Tribune re-
viewers Characterization OF Wagners
overture composed in 1889, when he
first heard it at Norfolk festival
year and a half ago; yesterdays hear
ing did not invite change OF opinion.
Its utter inanlty was recognized by the
Philharmonic audience yesterday, de-
spite its Characteristic INCLINATION
which seems TO have grown into
habit 20 applaud everything, good, bad
and Indifferent. Mr.. Severns concerto,
played with amiable zeal By the or
chestra's concertmaster, Macmillan
Pilzer, also left the hearers cold.
+ though there was enough courteous
applause TO justify the composer in
coming upon the stage and making his
Acknowledgements. The composition at
tests Mr.. Severn's serious aims and
good musicanship, but its monotony Of
mood and its lack Of thematic distinc-
ton prevent it from making a pleas
urcable appeal.
A. the concert in Aeolian Hall, the
Dvorak symphony disposed Of, the rest
Of the meeting was given over 20 Fritz
Kreisler, who played three works Of
widely differing character with the or
chestra-a concerto by Vivsldi, a Lar
ghetto lamentoso by Godowsky, and
his own "Tambourin Chinois." The
second and last of these compositions
had been played at his recta Is, but
only with pianoforte accompaniment;
they were heard for the first time yes
terday in their richer and more eX-
tended garb.
Of the concerto nothing need be
spoken except word OF enthusiastic
praise for the performance. The Go
dowsky number proved to be so fine
and dignifed a work that it deserves
an introduction TO the public. II was
credited on the house bill TO Mr.. Krels-
rected the error and mentioned the
composers name, the thought fingered
that Mr.. Kreisler had at least made
the transcription from the original
pianoforte composition.
As a matter of fact, the work IS
wholly Mr.. Godowskv's. who first made
the arrangement which Mr.. kreisler
has used in his recitals, and only two
or three days ago completed the trans
cription for violin AZ orchestra. It
is the Introductory part TO a fugue on
the familiar musical transliteration OF
the name OF Bach which forms the con-
/ GLIDING movement Of a pianoforte SON
alta in + minor. The melody is pro-
foundly beautiful and also profoundly
emotional. the harmonization rich and
the orchestration ear filling, effective
use being made OF the organ, and ad-
mirable restraint exhibited in all re-
rpects. A really noble piece Of music.
( The composer listened TO the fine per-
/ Torrance from box, but made no eX-
/ hibition Of himself.