The Washington times., 1919-01-08
RABAUD DELIGHTS
CONCERT AUDIENCE

The poet as librettist, poetry as the
inspiration OF symphonic music. pre-
vailed in the second concert Of the
Boston Symphony Orchestra in Wash
ington under the baton Of NJ. Henri
Rabaud, given at the National The
ater yesterday afternoon before the
usual capacity audience. And between
two-tone interpretations Of the poetic
muse, the lovely Mendelssohn Con-
certo for violin in e minor was ex-
auisitely played, with Fredric Fradkin,
concert master Of the orchestra, as So
loist.
With what spirit and vitality NJ.
Rabaud lifts his players! More than
at the first concert. given immedi-
ately after NJ. Rabaud assumed leader
ship Of this orchestra, did one feel his
Individuality and his mastery. Coming
as novelty to Washington. the
symphonic trilogy. as il is called. that
Vincent DIndy composed after the
dramatic poem. "Wallenstein," Of
Schiller. is richest in its first move
ment-the life Of the camp OF this
military hero.
Dramatic it was, animated in the
verve Of its presto-a sort Of fan
dango-and again charmingly exotic in
melot'ous serenade. with the first
violins and the winds singing its mel
ody. Rich in orchestration, it was
with esprit. in lightning changes Of
mood, a delicacy that was alive-and
a brusque humor in the basson fugue
that NJ. Rabaud tellingly conveyed
the scene, bringing it to a thrilling
close In the soft crescendo at the end.
Sharp Contrasts Feature.
Sharp contrasts marked the rest Of
this tone-poem. An andante Of repose
inwoven with a sherzo lyric loyeliness,
quality echoing the Catholic ritual with
rare beauty. Here again struggle and
peace held this melodrama, a graphic
distortion OF the main theme for the
former. The long climax was mas
sively built. though 1t was not over
weighted with musical content.
After program music. graphic scenes
In tone, the fair beauty OF Msndels-
sohn. placid, melodious. fluent, brings
one out Of the introspective and into
a welcome land where beauty Is its
own excuse for being" The solo part
was admirably played by Mr.. Fradkin
with great purity and suave loveliness,
the sheer musical appeal Of this music
bringing the art OF the players into
greater relief. The blend was appre-
ciable, between orchestra and solo, the
solo instrument ever showing an artis-
tic sense for ensemble, while the
orchestra was rare in its bIitheness
and its caprice. creating a gem Of
pure music delightfully."- executed. Mr..
Fradkin was recalled many times.
Tribute From Conductor.
An American symphonic work, the
Converse setting to the Walt Whitman
poem. The Mystic Trumpeter." was
gratifying as a tribute from this force
ful French conductor in presenting 1t
on his program. The work, though
imaginativeIy played, is oyerburdened
with reiterations, the program scarcely
enriched enough. orchestrally. for the
theme, and the trumpeter a bit lonely
and isolated. The rendition was given
with much power Dramatically and with
forcefM clima1es. Sudden transitions
in key were unconvincing in their
modulations-and why, one asks, a
sudden strain OF Marching Through
Georgia."
Two more concerts under NJ. Rabaud
yet remain. They will be awaited with
expectance. for this newcomer TO
America has much to say through mis-
orchestra. and his decisive impress is
a real life-spaTk that animates his
players and gains response from his
hearers. for. as Whitman says. Music
is what awakes from me at the SQUAD
Of the instruments" ]. Mach