New-York tribune., 1919-12-15
Concerts Given by
Philharmonic and
N. Y. Symphony
Damroscll Offers an Entire
Work by Schubert; Miss
Braslau, as Soloist, Mys-
tifies With Florid Old Air
By II. E. Krehbiel

The conductors Of our smart orches-
.ras are this year playing at some
,hing like what in a children's card
came we once called laps and slams.
The public rehearsal, an old euphemism
;sr the first OF pair Of concerts with
me same program, has been put into
,he discard by both the Symphony and
philharmonic societies. all Of whose
concerts are announced rs independent
II one another. The concerts being
many, however, too many for adequate
preparation as symphony lovers know
70 their vexation and grief, and the
number Of appropriate compositions
comparatively limited Cat least in the
opInjon OF the conductors), concerts
are now given with many repetitions.
The same symphony or symphonic poem
or overture may he heard from two or
three organizations within fortnight.
and both the Philharmonic and Sym
phonv societies repeat concert
WITHIN few days, with only one or
two changes in the program. This
would be more or less veXatious to their
subscribers IL the subscription lists
were the same for tAe regular week
dsy and Sunday concerts or for both
organizations As i. X, the patrons Of
tie different orchostras are devotees
Of the conductors rather than the or
chestras or music, and it is only the
solo performer who effects a mixture
Of the audiences.
What Inspired Singer?
The critical recorder might find food
IN plenty tor his comments if he we're
disposed to compare different perform
snces Of the same works; but such a
proceeding would be "odorous" Some
Years ago we heard Schubert's sym
phony IN c from Mr. Mailer and his
philharmonicians with so many added
brass ornaments that our old friend,
the last movement especially, was
scarcely recognizable. Then we ex-
pressed what we thought was right
eous ind .gnation. A few weeks ago
ve heard it played BY New Sym
phony Orchestra under Mr. Bodan-
It's tide Of happy song. Since then
Mr Walter Damlosch played two of its
movements for one Of his audiences,
and yesterday afternoon he played the
entire work for another congregation
Of worshipers IN Aeolian Hall. Shall
We who are as honest as any man liv-
ing that is an old man and no honester
Than we, attempt TO hold balance be-
tween the opinions of Messrs Bodanzky
and Damrosch? "Poucas pallabros, :;
let the world slide. Sessa!"
The symphony took the place which
was occupied on last Thursdays con-
cert by Charpentiers "Impressions
dItalie,' which, in turn, had been
played On the preceding Sunday The
rest of the program was unchanged
at least on the printed bill. We can
answer only for the cavatina, "Ah!
Quel Giorno" from Rossini's "Sem-
Hamide," sung by Miss Sophie Braslau.
We wonder what inspired this gifted
young singer with ambition to sing
the forid old air. Can it have been
the coming of Nine. Besanzoni to the
opera and Mr.. Zatti's belief that his
new contralto is of the artistic ma
terial out OF which Isabellas and
Arsaces are made?
The Last One
New York's last Arsace departed
With Nine. Scalchi, who had a greater
number of registers and timbres in
her voice than the laws of bel canto
allow, but at least an easy volubility