The Birmingham age-herald., 1920-01-23
The Symphony Orchestra
 Delights Large Audience
Musical Organization Presented by Music Study Club Is < Given Great Ovation by Discriminating Music Low
 ers-Delightful Programmes Rendered

The Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra,
 with Eugene Ysaye at the. conductors 2 desk, received an ovation in two concerts s at the Jefferson Theatre yesterday under the auspices of the Birmingham Music Study Club. In the afternoon nearly all z the seats were occupied, and at night . the house was packed.
 g Birmingham has heard many excellent orchestras, but few have equaled in : sorority or tonal beauty that which ap-
 peared on this occasion. The string sec @ ton brought forth unstinted praise from all discriminating musicv lovers. while the wood-wind and brass choirs were mellow and soulful.
 Both programmes were delightful, neither of them over the heads of the average concertgoer. As between the two the afternoon offering was, as might have been expected. the lighter, but even that contained at least one serious number,
 which would have fit well into any sym phony performa ce-MacDowells S Indian Suite. Opus 4S. It marks a dignified and constructive treatment of American mu- sic as Mcdowell conceived and felt it. The work consists of five scenes or move ments-"L Legend" Love Song" Tn War Time "Dirge' and Village Festival" the group as whole bringing out the full strength of the orchestra.
 One of the gems played at the mati- nee was the "Scherzo' from Mem dessohns Midsummer Nights Dream" music The march and the nocturne were set down on the programme, but they were omitted. The Scherzo, how ever, was rendered with rare grace. Did any one ever hear it played with such clarity or with such dainty lights and shadows?
 The Funeral March of Marionette,' by Gounod, an old time favorite in the playful vein, recalled memories of other days and was happily received.
 The programme closed with Nicolais overture, The Merry Wives of Wind sor." Notwithstanding the fact that 1t is heard oftener than most standard overtures, no one grows tired of it, es- pecially when it is performed as the Cincinnati Symphony gave it. It was, indeed, one of the outstanding charms of the matinee.
 This was the night programme: "Marche Heroque," by Saint Saens; Symphoney No. F Major by Beethoven Scenes Pittoresque," Marche, Air de ballet, Angeus and Fete Boheme, by Massenet Hymn to St. Cecile, by Gou- nod, with incidental violin music played by Mir Hermann, the concert meister; and Liszt's Second Hungarian Rhapsody.
 The symphony is one of the most joy ous of Beethovens works, and with itH melodic richness and it's charming min Uet is one of the most captivating. Many programme books are too technical in their analytical notes for any but music ally educated listeners. Other programme notes are too meager to be in any wise educative. But the Cincinnati Symphony's management strikes happy and alto gether satisfactory mean. It's notes are ample and easily understood by the in- telligent layman without musical educa- tion. In commenting on the eighth sym phony from the humorous point of view the programme leaflet concludes thus:
 The finale is the greatest portion. If is in rondo form and represents feetho- ven in his most characteristic vein as well as his most frolicsome. It is replete with unexpected effects and episodes of sur- prise, which represent the sheer geniuB of the composer. The opening theme, springhtly and gay, is announced pianis- simo, skipping from one instrument to the other.
 As it proceeds there are sudden fortis- simo interruptions at the most unexpect- ed places, until the orchestra is arrested on an A flat and the second subject a quieter and more serene melody, is played by the strongs.
 'lt is repeated by the oboe. The de- NeioplHeul SeClloH lnen FOLLOWS, ueNOllfS, itself to the material quoted above. The coda. which closes the symphony, is un- usually long and presents a new idea which is somewhat more serious than what has already been used. This mood is short, however, and the spirit of fun and humor prevails until the very end, presenting along the way many striking features-as the long sustained K in the trumpets for seventeen bars-and sweep ing all dull cares
 These great people with great souls, to whom one can offer no smaller animal than the elephant, immediately think of the Eroica, the fifth or the ninth when ever Beethoven's symphonies are spoken of. and smile in pity when one dares to mention the fourth, the eighth or the first. In our opinion it is just the eighth that is unique If one looks at Beethoven as a humorist-naturally as humorst like Shakespeare, like Jean Paul-then should just this symphony be mentioned before all others. A whole astehtic text