Evening journal., 1918-11-05
CONCERT SEASON
GETS GOOD START
Philadelphia Orchestra De-
lights in First Program of
the Winter Course
FRENCH ARTIST
IS THE SOLOIST

Music lovers enjoyed an unusual
treat at the opening concert OF the sea-
son OF the Philadelphia Orchestra at
The Playhouse last evening. The audi
ence which attended was more than in
spired. Never before has such an audi
ence greeted Mr.. Stokowski and his 81
musicians.
Prof. Stokowski who is a favorite
with his players receives as much ad-
mlratlon from his audience. Through
out the entire program last night he
showed his great power OF leading and
his ability TO interpret music OF any
period or any school.
The soloist was Alfred Cortot, the
French pianist, who recently arrived In
this country with the Paris ConserVa-
toire Orchestra. Mons. Cortot Is thor
oughly French in style and feeling.
Europe has known him for number
of years as an artist of high standards.
The French government conferred on
him signal honors. While In America
he will appear with practically all the
great symphony orchestras, including
three appearances with the New YORK
Symphony, three with the Philadelphia,
1--WE with the Cincinnati and two with
the Detroit Orchestra. The musical
element of this city keenly appreciate
the opportunity OF hearing him. HIS
playing combines poetry with fire and
force and emphasizes his reputation as
a player OF first rank. At any rate the
Delaware committee OF the archestra
association feels greatly honored In
having had Mons. Cortot as the soloist
at the opening concert.
The program opened with the Star
Spangled Banner" Prof. Stokowskl's
orchestral ARRANGEMENT Of the national
anthem made more than unusual effect
on the audience. The music lovers
that heard this last night VIII look
back with pride and pleasure at hav-
Ing heard this number.
The first number on the program was
the Prelude and Angels Farewell, from
the poem by Cardinal Newman. 1.-THE
Dream Of Gerontius." The musical set
ting by the English composer, Sir Ed
ward Elgar, has been described as "a
summer sea Of harmony without a
rugged island" The music possesses
elegance and dignity without the epic
quality which marks the poem. 1.-THE
Dream OF Gerontlus" has been called the
greatest poem description OF the un-
seen WOIiu AbcI uOdtiiI oiheO ehO tAAAA~
OF Dante.
Without any high points OF climax,
the music expresses with feeling the
religious. or liturglcal character OF the
poem The playing OF this selection
by the orchestra disclosed a well-or-
dered ensemble and refinement OF
tone which were well-pleasing TO the
audience who had heard the effect OF
so many changes when the orchestra
was RECONSTRUCTED this season. With
a widely different personnel, the or
chestra instruments blend as smoothly
as though the players had been through
years OF concerts together.
AS someone has remarked, the Fourth
Symphony Of Tschaikowsky Is one OF
the things that are much bigger than
asything that can be said about them.
Dr. Stokowski interpreted the subtleties
OF the great composition with an au-
thoritative baton.
The audience was greatly interested
In the work OF two new players, during
this symphony, Andre Maquarre, a
brother OF Daniel H.aquarre, who comes
TO the Philadelphia Orchestra from the
Boston symphony Orchestra, is indeed
an artist. He plays the flute with grace
and delicacy. Emil Ferir. the new first
viola player, also from the Boston Sym
phony Orchestra. handles his instru-
ment with surety Of technic and in
dividuality Of expression.
In this beautiful symphony, the ease
and richness OF Concertmeister Rich's
violin playing, the admirable oboe work
OF Mr.. Tabuteau, the excellence OF the
horns, the well-proportloned woodwind
choir, and the fine performance Of
Richard Krueger's bassoon, all contrib
/, uted to an inspiring performance.
\, The audience, as usual. went wild
over the Scherzo. with its inimitable
''pizzicato ostlnato," which was played
with q zest.
A pleasing feature OF the concert was
that the Delaware committee had In
vlted all the enlisted men stationed q
this city and nearby camps TO be their
guests at the opening concert. About
40 soldiers attended and enjoyed this
unusual musical treat.
There were noticed In the audience as
usual, the High School students, and
the members Of the High School orches-
ira.
The season which opened so brilliant
ly last night Will be continued until
March, with the next concert on De-
cember 23