Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-03-28
CONCERT ENTHRALLS
CROWD IN WANAMAKER STORE
Rendering Program Before Probably
OF Music Loucrs in the Ctys History

The crowd which assembled in the Wana-
maker store last evening to attend the concert
which closed the Musicians Assembly evening
was probably the greatest that ever heard
a concert in Philadelphia. II not in the en-
tire country.
Every available nook and Granny was
filled with persons eager to hear the great
new organ. now complete. in conjunction
with the Philadelphia Orchestra. The organ,
which Is now by far the largest in the
world contains 232 speaking stops. Orig
inally it had 140. but since its insalla-
ton in the wanamaker building nlnety-two
have been added.
The organ was played by NJ. Charles NJ
Courboin. recognized as one or the masters
OF the instrument. The orchestra was con-
Quoted by Mr. Stokowsi who has recovered
from the illness that necesstated his absence
from the concerts of Friday and Saturday
of last week.
The concert opened with the splendid fas-
sacaglia in c minor by Johann Sebastian
Bach, played by NJ. Courboin. The WORK
gigantic alike in conception and IN COM
position must have been reNc,a''oh
many who are not familiar with the works
of the great master in the seeming nloderniy
of its harmony especially in the suspensions
where Debussy and other modern frehch
COMPOSERS must have found rich Held as
peIl as IN the dignity of its melodies ana
tion. NJ. Courboin played it with fu'l
understanding both of the work and of the
magnificent instrument which he used. Mu-
sically considered, the composition, Ill spite or
its age euualed anything on the program
for the music of Bach never grows Old
u..,hoyep Overture ExquisiteIy Rendered
Tbis was followed by the Leonore No.
Overture Of Beethoven. played by the orches-
ira This too, was finely done. although the
hot nf RI
h., reason of the enormous height or the
h,,i,dine and the manner of seating when
the architecture of the store made necessary
Mr. Stokowsli received an ovation on nus ap.
n.arance to lead the star Spangled Banner
"a another when he took his place to con-
duct the overture.
Tho last number Of the first part con-
,..ad n, four selections for the organ,
."|sris,us Resurrexit." by Rarenello; the
ondante from the piece Symphonique' OF
Cesar Franck. an allegro by de BoecK ana
,ro Chorale No. . by Franck. These "er"
n,syed with taste and with admirable le'h-
iove h,. A. Courboin the second OF the four
ra,,trR TO be the most pleasing as well as
,bc hest piece of composition and possibly
.ha bsst adapted to the requirements Of the
organ.
The second part began with two familiar
Numbers. 'L'Apres Midi dun Faune,' OF
oahussy and the Prelude and Liebestod from
Mr. Stokowski has never conducted these
,,r,hers in both of which he eNcels, in better
rornn than he did last evening. and the or
nbestra appeared TO follow his lead with even
,,,nre sympathy than usual. Both we're
erected with prolonged applause.
The last number of the evening was the
roveIty of the program. This was the Sixth
| S,,mnhony Un G. minor) for organ and or
Hae,ro by Wdor, undoubtedly one OF the
| Last ~ not the greatest living composer for
.ha organ The work is a masterpiece OF
| oornnosition, both for the solo instrument ana
| Por the orchestra. 1t can really scarcely be
| aol,sd n symphony. for the organ throughout
| is treated as 500 instrument ana not a'
nns Of an ensemble And yet It Is not con-
carto. for It Is not in the concerto style,
| either in form or in spirit.
| THE first movement Is full of majesty and
| dignity. having somewhat of the variation
| stvie for the orchestra reiterates the main
shame several times. TO be answered by a
| series Of variations or perhaps one might
| ,,nre strictly say Developments by the organ.
| rThe second movement (really the fourth. as
,be second and third were omitted), Is full
~ melodic beauty, while the last is another
| vigorous allegro
| o,xan and Orchestra in Complete Harmony
| The composition was most interesting. The
| oroan and the orchestra are 80 alike In the
| ,assed tone that one frequently offset the
| nther. causing some bewilderment for the
| ,,,on,ent as to just which was playing. In
| tbe loud passages the organ tone was so
| great as TO obscure the string and wood-winc
| tnstruments of the orchestra, and only the
| trunpets and trombones. by their viyidness OF
| tone. were audible against II.
The finest ensemble effect in the whole
] work was in the slow movement, where th'