Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1920-11-20
ORCHESTRA IN ITS
ANNIVERSARY CONCERT
Same Program Played as
Twenty Years Ago--Loving
Cup for Mr.. Van Rensselaer,
THE PROGRAM

THE PROGRAM
symphony, Z minor mo 81" ;BSsthoysn
"" 'O"'ef9 T. FSi Robert sschimii,a ''"a'AO"'N'
invitation 70 the Dance. weber
Entrance OF the Gods Unto walhalla Wagner
Yesterdays concert OF the Philadel-
phia Orchestra was In commenoration
or the twentieth anniversary OF the or
ganization. and, as, was befitting, an I'M
nortant feature of the afternoon was
public acknowledgment OF the debt that
Philadelphia music lovers, as well as
the orchestra, owe to Alexander Van
Rensselaer,, the man whose devotion TO
n high ideal and his willingness to back
up that devotion in a practical man
ner has made the Philadelphia orches-
ira possible.
For the first time In the memory of
Philadelphia concertgoers music took n
secondary place yesterday afternoon.
Immediately after the symphony had
been played Mr.. Stokowski escorted
Mr. Van Rensselaer, TO the center OF
the stage and introduced him, although
the applause began at his appearance,
Mr. Van Rensselaer, had come to Its
high estate through the united efforts
of all the various elements which go to
make up an orchestra. But, IL asked
to name the chief factor in its success,
he would say that II was the women 8
committee, although he also paid tribute
to the unknown donor" now happily
unknown no longer, whose imunificence
conductor for five years longer. He
then introduced Mr.. stokowslsi.
Mr.. Stokowski spoke very briefly,
saying that music spoke for itself, ana
that when the orchestra pleased lts
audiences It was happy, and unhappy
when It did not please them. At this
point DR.. Charles D. Hart, Miss Anne
Thomson and Miss Frances Wister
came upon the stage and large object
covered with black cloth and standing
spoke Of the self-sacrihce and devotion
which Mr. Van Rensselaer, hal always
shown toward the orchestra, and said
that II was only typical Of his gen
erosity in all lines Of life. OF his high
minded citizenship and of the affection
ate admiration with which all Philadel-
phia regards him. He concluded by
asking Miss Thomson to present a
loving cup to Mr.. Van Rensselaer, IN
the name of the orchestra, the board OF
directors. the board of management and
the women's committee. Miss Thomson
took the cover from the cup and handed
1t to Mr.. Van Rensselaer,.
The orchestra rose and broke into n
fanfare and the audience also arose and
remained standing. Mr.. Van Rensse,,
iaer. visibly affected by the warmth and
kpontaneity of the public tribute. as wei
| as by the beautiful gift OF his asso'
Ciates spoke n few words or thanks
and after another burst Of applause the
concert was resumed.
The program was the same as that
| plaved by the Philadelphia Orchestra
| at its first concert twenty years ago, the
soloist yesterday being Robert Schmit2
| 1t having been found impossible to Sc
| cure the services of Mr.. Gabrilowitsch
who played the Tschakowsy Concerto
on November 16,, 1900 Mr.. sGhmit, nit,
| proved to be pianist with good tone
| and an excellent technique, although
he did not display any unusual interpre
tive qualities in the melancholy con
certo. He was at his best in the las
movement and his performance was
cordially received by the huge audience
| The orchestra feature was the great {
| minor (Ffth) symphony of Beethoven
which Mr. Stokowski read in his usua uu
careful and reverent manner Th'
other orchestra numbers were Gold
marks overture. "In the Spring
Weber's Invitation to the DanGs,' nee,
orchestrates by Weingartner ana I'm,
from "Das Rheingold."