Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1920-04-10

Concertino for ba ssoon .......,.......w Weber
Richard Kruger
Two pieces for orchestra Andre Maduarre
Conducted by the composer
Excerpts 'Damnatlon OF Faust ,.. .BeTlio1
when the i~rceronsihlc dvnamo If
the Philadelphia Electric power plant
chose its hour for retiring from bust
ness yesterday afternoon, IL contri-
buted two numbers to the program OF
the Philadelphia Orchestra concert, but
put an unmistakable "jinx' on the
regular program. The accident could
MT have happened at a more untoward
time for the orchestra and its patrons,
for the concert was just about to begin
when the Academy was plunged in
darkness, and remained so for more
than an hour.
Lanterns were brought in and set
at intervals upon the stage, presum-
ably so that the musicians would not
fall off.
Suddenly out Of the gloom came n
pleading female voice beseeching some
body unnamed to play something, no
matter what There was hurried con
ference of shadowy figures on the stage,
and then Mr.. Stokowski announced that
Mr.. Rich would play the Legende of
Wieniawski. which he did with his
usual beautiful tone and clear intona =
tion.
After Mr.. Rich had completed his
number, which was really exquisitely
played, in spite of the novelty Of nine
tenths darkness accompanying the per =
formance, a figure six feet two appeared
from the neither gloom and whispered
words of mystery to what was appar
emily tall blonde figure. The latter
rose and spoke. and by the voice was
recognized as Mr.. Stokowski. He an
nounced that Mr.. Kinder would play
the prelude and fugue in G by Bach.
More vague figures appeared. bearing
| a strange creation in wood which pres :
4 emily resolved itself into the cello solo E
lists platform. Mr.. Kinder. like Mr.
Rich, gave fine performance and re-
ceived much well deserved applause
BY this time there was some light
although there was still little enougl
to make the late Mr.. Wagner revise his
"Gotterdammerung' had he beer
present to see. Mr.. Stokowski promptly
began the concert, and it is well thai
the Brahms Second Symphony is wei
known by the orchestra for there was
assurcdly not sufficient light to see tht
notes. However, it went through ad
mirably, although there was undeniabl!
some restraint in the playing. However
| ulltT tudu III VI waiting
under unusual circumstances, what wa
given was more than a remarkably tint
performance.
Richard Kruger. solo bassoon of tn
orchestra, was the soloist, appearing
| in the Weber Concertino for bassoor
and orchestra. If the situation wa
bad for the orchestra as a whole i
must have been infinitely worse for Mr.
Kruger, who Is personally Of highl,
organized nervous temperament. Never
theless he played the solo part, whicl
requires every device of finger techniqu
and embouchere known to this mos
treacherous and subtle of instrument
with a skill of execution and beaut,
and sureness of tone 1.-THE chief elemen
of the bassoon. like the horn, which !
Is safe to say cannot be even approache
by any other bassoon player IN tn
United States.
The second novelty of this uniqu
concert (thanks to the Philadelphi
Electric) consisted of two short piece
for orchestra by Andre Maquarre, frs
flute of the organization. Both are fin
works, the outstanding feature of whic
is the remarkable scoring. In compo
ston Mr.. Maquarre has followed ira