Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1919-05-09
MAY FESTIVAL
CONCERTS REAL
MUSICAL FEAST
Chicago Symphony Orchestra Pre-
sCnts Two Programs Of
Exceptional Merit.
LARGE AUDIENCES ATTEND
Frederick Stock With Players
Enthusiastically Received
At AUgustana

concerts by the Chicago symphony
orchestra as part Of the May fest
ival directed by the Tri-city Musi-
cal ASSOCIATION at Augustana gym
DX5ium. flaying that was re-
nlGrkable Tor its smOothness ana
artistic nnish was the offering OF
tie members of the organization,
c made every effort to ensure
te--IIGJe success. The men re-
: ,-- Ell to every demand that was
Ina Of them and one was filed
with admiration for the abilities OF
the cO-.a ctor. though when a per
son pt trough such stirring
musi.. j as those eXperl-
enceu =, WORDS seem quite
inadeqG- express even a part
CT the imp sss.ons.
Audiences that tiled the spacious
gymnasium greeted the orchestra
at both the afternoon and evening
programs and the applause was
unstinted, the demand~ for encores
following every number, the grR-
cious response to these being so
liberal as to extend the program
much beyond the original limit. In
an artistic sense the festival was
successful as there was every rea-
~son to expect it would be. and
financially too, the association is
well pleased.
The orchestral numbers proved
Mr.. Socks intensely musical ready
ings and appreciation of artistic
effect The Dvorak overture Car
nevar' introducing the evening
program. was a sort of love ro-
nance in which musical sugges-
tions of the lovely maid and the
jealous lover are dramatically con-
trasted. Schumann's exquisite ana
wonderfully satisfying symphony
NO. 4 D minor opus 100 followed
and was characterized by breadth,
the absence OF all additions, purity
OF style and an intellectual,
scholarly quality. The romance
was especially beautiful and eff
fective because of the elevation Of
feeling and quality of lone.
Enrico Tramonti. harp soloisr.
playing a fantasia for harp and
orchestra by Dubois, was given
what amounted to almost an ova-
ton upon the completion Of tine
work and the audience would Wno,
be content until he had played two
extra numbers, both unaccompan-
led. In his playing one finds
noble tone, bravura and splen-
did appreciation of the art forms
charmingly blended. He has re-
markable technic and gave distinc-
ton to his performance.
The Ballet Suite by -Delibes: Pre-
1ude Les Chasseresses, Intern ego
ct vslse lente. Pizzicati and Cortege\
Ge Bacchus fairly glowed with the
Ssfarity of development and intelli-
gent phrasing and shading. The
Delibes suite is always pleasure
to hear. played though frequently
as it has been, Mr.. Stock gave it a
warm, colorful atmosphere that
pervade the whole composition.
Tie Blue Danube by Richard
Strauss, was played as an encore
with great refinement and beauty
OF Interpretation.
The prelude from The DeIuge'
by Saint-Saens, in which Harry
Weisbach played the violin obli-
cato, was a gem of musical read
ing Playing with great delicacy,
Mr. Weisbach distinguished himself
as a finished artist, producing a
tone that was sOnorous and mel
low and with a distinct individual
ity.
The program closed with the
beautiful. Irish Rhapsody by Her
NsAcrt, another composition frequent
" heard, but which was given an
altogether new meaning and life
in the reading of Mr.. Stock through
his trained players, presented with
ell the chgrming simplicity requir
ed by the native themes which ap-
pear in the work.
Afternoon Program.
with the familiar though always
pleasing and interesting overture
t. "Oberon." by Weber. The piece
de resistance of the afternoon was
the symphony No. 4. F Minor"
Opus Sc by. Tschaikowsky. In this !
wonderful symphony interest cen
iers in the contrasts of tone color |
and the skill OF the composer in /
portraying mood. The interpreted !
tiUn given by Mr.. Stock was clear |
and deeply musical, with the con-
stantly changing moods with the |
unusually fine effect produced by |
the woodwind and brasses.
Theodore DuMoulin, cellist, was !
tho soloist of the afternoon, pre- !
senting q concerto FOR vioIincello A |
Minor, Opus 80 90 n'-Saens, play
ed with lovely to: printing and |
with extraordinary ability and un- !
usual talent. The high tones OF /
the cello used with such complete !
mastery by Mr.. Du Moulin were ex-
quisite in their beauty of timber. |
and the art of the sOloist over his
Instrument was a constant delight ;
He was compelled to- respond -
encores
A Swedish Rhapsody "Mtdsum-
yer Wake" by Alfven closed the !
Program. the dance with its dash |
and verve luringly catching the !
listener and almost lifting him
from his seat
With the offerings such as were
given yesterday by the orchestra
it is somewhat of a mystery why
anyone will pay out a perfectly
good dollar. not counting the war
tag and street car fare. etc. to al
tend a concert and then devote the
two hours or more OF it's preseu-
tation to an animated and audible
discussion of a variety of topics
what is good to take grease snOts
out of garments. or how IN best
>'nan house or something else Just
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