Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-01-25
ORCHESTRA GIVES
INTERESTING CONCERT
Mrs. Beach's Symphony the Chief
Orchestral Number-Bauer
Plays Emperor Concerto

Mr. Stokowsli gave a diverse and interest
ing program at the concert Of the Philadel-
pha Orchestra at the Academy Of Music
yesterday afternoon. composed of an Ameri-
can symphony and Beethoven concerto. he
sides allowing .Richard Wagner to make h's
first appearance on the local programs "f
the Orchestra since the late voluntary en-
barge was laid
The symphony was that in minor Of
Mrs. II. II. A. Beach, who is probably the
foremost woman composer Of this country
and who must be accorded very high rank
among the women composers e any nation.
II was not the first performance\of the work
in this city by the orchestra, as it was given
few seasons ago. when the composer was
present in person. Yesterdays performance
confirmed the impression gained at the for
mer hearing as to the musical solidtty ana
worth Of the composition. Il showed "A re
markable facility in orcheSlraton. perhaps
more ingenuity and skill here being shown
than in the thematic invention. There is
also somewhat of a disposition here and
there to develop the themes TO an excessive
length. This is especially the case in the
slow movement. However. the whole work
is pleasing in melody and in harmony, being
conservative without becoming od-fashioned
and written in strict symphonic style.
The solost Of the afternoon was Harold
Bauer, whose appearance on any program IS
always guarantee of a performance or
matured artistry, Yesterday he played the
Beethoven concerto in T. fiat for piano and
orchestra. the one commonly known as the
Emperor for NO particular reason except
perhaps the quality of majesty and dignity
that marks all of the movements. Mr. Bauer
is one of the piansts who does not have to
rely on technical featS or eNaggerationS to
insure success Indeed, these qualities are
entirely foreign TO his whole artistic nature.
HIS playing yesterday was dignifed and re-
| stra ned as II always is, his purpose evil
IDENTIFY being 80 bring out the full beauty OF
the thought of the composer without any at
tempt al personal display. Beethoven. in his
great 500 works, demands This treatment
! and yesterday Mr. Bauer's handling of the
! solo part more in tho nature OF an
obbligato part IN "A gigantic ensemble rather
| than piano solo with accompaniment, the
| total effect being performance of great
artistic beauty.
4 As technique IT, considered in the presen,
| day. the Beethoven piano couc"rtOs, even the
Emperor do not make any very eNorbrant
| demands. although there is fuency and a
| smoothness of execution required that in
| itself Is "A guarantee of Il finished technique
| The elements of such a performance of this
| great masterpiece Of composition for piano
| and orchestra as Mr.. Bauer gave yesterday
! are beauty Of tone and a mastery concep
! ton of the work as whole. In these things
| Mr. Bauer has no superior among present
| day concert pianists. His playing was al
| example OF finished Interpretation, which re-
! ceived from the audience the aclinowedg
| ment that il well deserved,
| The concluding number the program
| was the beautiful Prelude and "Lovc-Dealh'
! from "'rrstan and Isolde As noted before
| il was the first appearance Of Wagner or
| the local program Of the Philadelphia Orches
| ira for some time The familiar number was
we'll done, both in the wholly sympathetic
49,,