The New York herald., 1921-12-05
ny w. j. HENDERSON.

The Society OF the Friends of Music
continued its labor or presenting un-
unfamiliar music at its second concert
In the Town Hall yesterday afternoon.
The programme began with the overture
tc Mozart's opera "Idomeneo." in this
instance completed with the ending made
by Carl Reinecke. In the original score
the overture. like that of Gluck's "Al-
ceste," ended by Wagner. passes without
pause into the first scene
second reference to Wagner comes
naturally with the next number on the
list conducted yesterday by Mr. Bodan-
alSy, namely Mendelssohn's "Reforma-
tion" symphony. The title was h. slowed
on the work by the composer. who wrote
1t with view TO reproduction at the
Tercenterary festival of the Augsburg
Protestant Confession celebrated Oh.
June 25. 1880. Political disturbances
prevented the performance, and the work
was heard first In Berlin IN November
1882. In the opening allegro we are in
vited to consider a struggle between the
old and new religions. and in the end
hear the Protestant bat'ie cry, repeated
hy Marcel In Les Hugenots." Fin feste
Burg ist unser Gott' An incidental
theme In the composition is the Dresden
Amen" which Wagner employed with
:
The third number was the youthful
serenade for wind instruments. opus 7
or the now conspicuous parsonage Rich
ard Strauss. This music was once given
ut Philharmonic concert, under Mr..
Stransky. and, previous TO yesterday. had
last been played by the Barrere En-
semble on December 9, 1912. The pro-
gramme concluded with Erich Korngold's
suite from music to Much A 10 About
Nothing" which had IT'S first perform
| ance in this country IN it's correct form
Mr.. Kreiser once played a violin ar
rangement OF parts of It.
No unassailable reasons were dis
closed for performing any of the music
on the programme EXCEPT that of the
distinguished Richard Strauss. who sat
In box ard enjoyed hearing his own
youthful creation. After the perform
arre OF 1t he bowed to the appIauding
audience. which was not satisfied till
he descended to the stage. bowed again.
shook hands with Mr.. Bodanzky and
thanked the wind choir Of the orchestra
which had blown him into glory on the
zephyrs of his Juvenile inspiration.
The Mendelssohn reformation music
has slept well and deservedly. The
Shakespearian fancies of young Korn-
gold had certain reasons for receiving
the gracious consideration of the Friends
Of Music. The instrumental apparatus
is too large for any chamber music or
ganization, and the composition too
slight for an orchestral programme.
Bright, clever, charming music this,
without a touch of morbidity. with
plenty OF playful humor, much vivacity
of spirit. and continual aptness in the
choice OF instrumental utterance.
There is a happy overture. wich Is
followed by movement called "Maidens
in the Bridal Chamber" a march Of the
watch (in which the ludicrous person.
atty OF Dogberry Is easily lrnagined)
and intermezzo and jolly good horn
pipe.
One listens TO such music with pleas
ure, Just as one watches the antics OF
a sportive kitten. but one does no. labor
under the delusion that he Is assisting
at a demonstration of genius. In fact
the only composition on yesterdays list
that established its claim to be heard
anywhere and at any time was the fra