Evening journal., 1919-02-25
give fine READING
OF FIFTH SYMPHONY
Philadelphia Orchestra De-
lights in Fourth Concert
at Playhouse
WEIRD MUSIC IN
"SIRENS" TONE POEM

"The Sirens" a tone poem by Rein
hold Gliere, a comparatively unfamil-
lar composition TO local audiences, was
a program number Of peculiar interest
at last nights concert Of the Philadsl-
phia Orchestra at the Playhouse. There
Is little in modern music that sppesls
SO wildly to the imagination as this
colorful Interpretation OF turbulent
human emotions and warning clements
blended with the alluring call % ST.
rens from enchanted Islands. The music
IS wonderfully shaded and replsie with
nuances at once weird and beautiful
The audience gave the number a cor
dial reception.
The Fifth Symphony Of Beethoven,
always q favorte, and the main fea-
Sure OF last nights concert. was snlen-
didly interpreted by Dr.. Stokowski and
Tho orchestra. This greatest Of sym
phonies has been likened 10 q multi
fude Of things, outrageous forest with
giant trees, human passions and soul
Tragedies, but such descriptions are
never satisfactory. The music lover
would rather let himself be lost In The
beauty and rapture Of the glorious mu-
sic than be bothered WIN word pic
tures or technical analysis.
Everybody settled down with a sigh
OF content when the much beloved an
dante movement, with its deli
cate melod es, was in progress. Evil
IDENTIFY the leader and orchestra shared |
the liking Of the audience for the an
dante. playing it with a tenderness OF
feeling as II they loved It.
The two last movements Of the SYM
phony were played without any pause
between them. an idea highly 10 be
commended. DR.. Stokowski has fire.
duently been called the finest interpre-
fer Of Beethoven in America, and those
present last night felt the honor was
well merited, so new and vital an appre
citation did Dr. Stokowsh give them of
The program was dlsappointingly !
brief last night. the concert being
over by $50 o'clock. There were no
soloists on the program. which made
the concert less pleasing than former
ones. However The Playhouse was
crowded from top gallery to orchestra ]
seats. showing that the Philadelphia
Orchestra has a powerful hold on local ,
interest without the aid Of special fea-
lures.
There Is one thing noticeable at The
concerts, and that Is the increasing
amount Of conversation in. the audi
ence during program numbers. Al
stranger present last night would have
had a poor opinion Of Wilmington mu-
sical appreciation or good manners
w5sh>he had tried in vain to enjoy the
sx Bnisite music Of Beethoven 10 the
Icf& impairment Of the crude noises OF /
Ettered conversation on every side
IF him.
The concluding program number. the ,
Prelude and Love-Death" from the :
vagnerian opera. "Tristan and Isolde, !
as exquisitely played Banished dur n
g the war. music-lovers were glad 10 n
elcome Wagner back again. There is %
1thing TO suggested Prussianism in I,
le immortal "Lovs-Death.' The audi -
ice enjoyed It with a clear conscience. -.
The Wilmington audience was glad a
b see that the Philadelphia Orchestra a,
tin continues to bring their silk Ameri- ~
an flags and TO open their concerts y,
With The Star Spangled Banner" y
The nth and last orchestra concert D.
in Wilmington for this season, viii Of
b given on March "a, with Marcia s.
van Dresser as the sOloist IN