Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-10-20
COSMOPOLITAN MUSIC
Philadelphia Orchestra Interprets At
tractive French, Belgian, Hun
garian and Bohemian Works

The cosmopolitan tolerancs of art was
strikingly revealed at the Philadelphia
Orchestra's concert yesterday afternoon
in the Academy of Music. French Bel
CLAN, Bohemian and Hungarian composers
were represented on an admirably bal
anced program. The soloist was a Ger
man. Midway in the concert Mr.. Sto-
kowski directed a performance of "The
Star Spangled Banner" Oddly enough
the national anthem was played immedi-
ately after the Teutonic pianist had left
the stage.
This virtuoso was Carl Friedberg who
has been touring America since the be-
ginning of the European war He is an
experienced performer, sound in tech
nique, artistically sincere and void of af-
fectation. His personality, however, seems
emphatically deficient in magnetism and
in view of this sobrlety of temperament
1t was rather curious to find that he had
selected so poetic composition as Cesar
Francks Symphonic Variations" and
LISTS tempestuous Concerto No. l in L
fiat major as works wherein to display
his talents.
In less emotional music than the great
Hungarian Abbe's superb achievement It
is possible that the correct and evidently
scholastic Herr Friedberg might find a
metier. AS II was, his Interpretation of
the eloquent concerto, with its passionate
coloring suggestive Of both the "Preludes
and the deathless ''Tasso," proved un-
happily lacking In insprational fire. The
majestic splendor of Liszt is not often so
obscured by those seeking to express him
through the keyboard
The FranclS variations, which have
much the same mystical charm as the
gifted Belgian's d minor symphony were
enhanced by little OF the delicate poetic
fervor which a sympathetic reading of
this lovely work entails Few emotions
were stirred by Herr Friedberg's rendition,
He was courteously applauded but with
out especial enthusiasm.
Mr.. Stokowski's most meritorious contri-
button to- the afternoon was his clear and
sympathetic presentation of the Dvorak
symphony From the New World" The
work is as popular as II is familiar The
Bohemian composers translation of phrases
of negro melody into the symphonic idiom
haunt the memory This is particularly
audience that plainly recognized the OBJ
vious simple themes. The movement was
admirably given delicately, appreciatively,
and with taste that avoided the oversenti-
mentality which is ever pitfall confronting
treatment OF this score.
The Charpentier number, the colorful
and subjective Impressions of Italy" char
acterized by. the rich atmospheric" quail
ties Of Louise" seemed to have been in
/ sufficiently rehearsed The performance
was ragged, the horns frequently faulty
and lack OF poyphOnic clarity was notably
evident in the spirited movement music de-
| picting the rapturous romance Of Naples.
| The work is no novelty TO the Philadelphia
| Orchestra, which has several times suR-
kested its viyidness with far finer art than
was rayealed yesterday, Charm In, musical
| interpolation Is an elusive thing. Mr.. sto-
! kowsll does not often miss Il But even
. love Nr,I.|oU0II4 nr|N 4 n IT