The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1917-03-20
Iheaters



Before an audience whose size was
highly gratifying, in view OF the many
other matters OF more or less moment
that are at present occupying the at
tontion of our citizens. as well as max.
ing other demands upon their re-
sources. the Philadelphia Symphony or
chestra. under the leadership Of Leo
rold Stokowskt. made its second Rich
mond appearance last night at the City
Auditorium. The unanimous and en-
thusfastic welcome accorded the mu-
sfcians must have gone a long way to-
wards giaddening the heart Of the To-
cal impressario whose enterprise
brought the orchestra to Richmond,
and must also have copsoled him for
the failure to have a capacity audi
ence. which. under normal conditions
would have been present,
The organization Ia In high favor
in local musical circles. Several sea-
sons ago the annual festival of the
Wednesday club was raised to a high
er level from an orchestral standpoint
than It had ever before or has since
attained. The impression made on
this occasion was responsible in large
measure for the patronage bestowed
last evening. Unless we are much
mistaken the performance last night
was the first symphony concert to be
given in Richmond. Consequently, the
eplendid reception accorded tho pro-
gram was very encouraging. and an
eloquent evidence OF the advancement
in the city's musical culture as re-
suit of the long series of concerts by
the Wednesday club, our own Philhar-
monte orchestra and countless other
vocalists and instrumentalists who
have been brought here in an effort 20
foster and elevate the artistic tastes
o our music lovers.
The evenings program was selected
with admirable care and taste by the
conductor. and while only Ave compos-
ers were represented. there was SUI
fcient diversity to command sus-
tained interest. Assisting the orches-
ira and relieving the monotony Of
purely instrumental compositions. was
Mr.. Reinaid werrenra popular
concert baritone. also pleasantly re-
membered here by his appearance on
the same platform with Geraldine Far
rar last year.
The orchestra was first heard in
the overture to Moxart's lie Nozze di
Figaro" and even In this opening
number there was suffcient evidence
that II belongs among the few great
musical organizations of this country.
The individual ability OF it's members
and the absolute harmony and unan-
unity with which they observe and
follow every movement and reflect ev-
cry mood and behest Of their talented
leader stamp them as by all odds the
finest group OF musicians that has ap-
peared In Richmond. with the possible
exception of that led by Walter Dam
ro.ch. The Mozart overture was fol-
lowed by a group OF Ave selections
from the works OF Christopher Chuck
that were interpreted with rare skill
that reflected splendidly and accurately
the varying moods OF this noted com
poser. Next the symphonic poem OF
Glere, a long and difficult work that
makes the most arduous demand upon
an orchestra. was given in so superb
a manner that the audience. the ma
jority OF whom were not quite edu-
Gated to the complete appreciation of
symphonic music. burst into resound-
ing applause at it's conclusion. A group
BY Rinsky-KorsaKow OF FIVE numbers.
the Capr,ceio Espagnol closed the pro-
gram and was given with the same
finish and talent that characterized
the earlier compositions.
Mr.. Stokowskf, the conductor OF this
orchestra, Is man OF rare attain
nenta and The possessor OF every
Qualification for a leader. He has per-
sonal magnetism. INFINITE temperament
exceptional training and wide expe-
rtence and exercises q complete mas
terry OF music and over his men. He
conducts entirely from memory. a dis
49, ~
be owned by all conductors. and might
also be emulated by all vocal artists
To some the fact that no encores were
given seemed to be a lack Of the oblix-
ingness that marked his last visit
They were unmindfui of the fact tina.
Il has long been an inviolable custom
10 interrupt the dignity OF a sym
j homie concert with encore numbers
even by vocalist
Mr. werrenrath was heard first In
selections from the operas of Mozart
and next I'm ballad Of Chadwick
"Lochinvar." musical setting OF that
fomous poem. In the latter he was
FAR more pleasing and to It's music
better suited. and he sang II with
marked ability. He has pleasins
voice that In volume Is not equal &c
the building In which he sang. but II.
tEdiutnB AH0 CuituTS anu HIS pth
enumeration and control atone In a
la~~~ wav for his deficiency IN power
We venture TO suggest that much
value and interest could be added &c
future .vmnhonic concerts by the In
s~rtion In the program Of few para
graphs explanatory of the nature and
intent of the compositions. which WI
imagine could be easily done. But han.
dicapped as many undoubtedly were
by a lack Of such knowledge and un-
familiar. az most of us were. with
music of this character. the manner
in which it was received Is, we re-
peat. Immensely encouraging and au-
surs well for the musical present arr
future of our city. and reflects great
credit upon the man whose efforts are
Gov hrtp~fpD 70 pnr