New-York tribune., 1920-10-24
By H. F.. Krehbiel

The press agent who sent to the news
apers the announcement of an or
hestral concert last week is evidently
5 fully convinced of the value Of
rogram notes as he is ignorant of
neir meaning. By program notes we
iean, of course, the comments printed
! programs (chiehy of symphonic
oncerts) or in pamphlets or leaflets
lhich accompany the house bills. In
ne best of cases these notes contain
nts touching the character of the
ompostions to be played, the pur-
oses of the composers as exemplifed
the titles of the compositions or
Onfessions printed in the scores
ouching the things (poems, pictures,
ccurrences) which prompted them
inspired" is the word generally used
historical data, anecdote sometimes
luminative of the subject but fire.
uently not, and brief technical
nalyses. In the kind last mentioned
ne material used in the construction
{ the works is sometimes printed-a
cedful procedure, since there is no
ay of describing a melody, or even
me|odic phrase which will bring it
ato the mind of reader except the
elneative (to the muscally educated}
nd the reproductive (audible) to peo-
lie in general. Programs thus anno-
ated come to US from the principal
rchestras of the country and all of
hem we find to be educationally valu-
BILE, though not all in the same de-
rec.
We have seen much that is idle and
'orthless in publications of this order,
ut seldom anything diverting until
he local contribution referred to
cached US last week We do not
tugh at the writer of the notes be-
suse of realization of the fact that
meant we'll but did not know either
he English language or the needs of
he occasion; we only marvel at the
snorance, audacity or carelessness of
he press agent who tried to get them
ITO the newspapers, obviously for the
dlfication of the public or critics, or
9th. Here are the notes on four of
be orchestral works set down in the
rogram:
G. BURGMEIN: LES Ninphes Dams
es Bois." (First execution in Amer
ia.l
G. Burgmein, author of several sym
homie works, has ideated this charac-
sristic piece after having been in
irated by the reading OF story of
aries. OF difficult execution, LES
linphes Dams les Bois" has richness
technic of an ideal form.
r. WAGNER: "Gloken and erals
rene of Parsifal."
This piece is from the grand opera
Parsifal belongs TO the pages most
ispirated that have ever been written.
an absolute MYSTICISM its enchant-
TX melody transport the souls to COM
lotion.
A. NEPOMUCENO: 90 Garatuiav
First execution in America)
A. Nepomuceno is one of the most
minent composer of Brazil. This SYM
homie piece rewarded at the Exposi-
ION of Bruxclles in 1910, reveals to
.~e great musician and the eminent
smposet. The presentation of an au-
Tor never heard here before is owed
conductor M. Michael Nicastro.
n. RIMSKY KORSAKOFF: "Capric-
10 Espagnole"
One of the most brilliant symphonic
ieces is "Capriccio Espagnole." The
iotives of an absolute Spanish flavor
lptivate the listeners for their beauty
nd originality. Take notice of the
Gypsy Song" and "Fandango of the
lnstrumented in wonder
81 form oblige the executors and the
oioises to the utmost of their ABILITY. |
The press agents announcement &C
0mpanylng THIS does not strain the
ngilsh language so much as the notes. |
y 1t founders about quite distress