New-York tribune., 1921-10-19
New Version of
(y0etIle7s Sozag
q $n
OF Flea Heard
''Fantaslic Variations ON a
Theme by BerIioz,' Work
Of BraunfcIs, Played by
Philadelphia Orchestra
Crosesgue Humor Shown
Brahms and Debussy Also
Given Place on Program
OF Mr.. Stokowski's Band
By II. f. Krehbiel

hat we are disposed to set down as
the most ingenious orchestral compost
tion which has come out Of Germany
since Richard Strauss created "Tul
Eulens spieeel's Merry Pranksv formed
the concluding number of the concer.
OF the Philadei iphia Orchestra at Carne-
ple Hall last night. 1t is called 'TNantas
tic Variations on Theme bv BerlioZ"
and Its composer is Walter Braunfels.
a young composer who has made a
considerable noise in the world, liter
ally and fguratively, during the last
ten years. The theme which Herr
Brauntels has varied was obviously un-
kho"n to the annotator of the Phla-
delphla Orchestra's program, for he did
not identify it by title which was a
pity, for the knowledge that it was the
melody OF Goethe's "Song of the Flea"
from La Damnation de Faust" might
nave nelped some of those who heard
II last night to an appreciation of its
grotesQue humor. 1t s not gloss on
berlioz's page, which in itself is de-
lghttul bit of musical humor, but rath-
er a palimpsest under whose highly
rubricated text the original tune hides,
showing its face familarly only at in
te1vals.
Beethoven Utilized Same Song
Goethe's "Song of the Flea" which a
KING so loved that he garbed him in
gay ralment and compelled the court to
DO hlm honor, has invited humorous
musical illustration ever since it was
written. Beethoven was one Of its first
composers, and there is a pretty story
OF Row he played the accompaniment
10 his setting at the home of young
woman Of whom he was fond and at
the end Of the postlude turned his hand
over so as to bring the back Of his
thumb nail on two adjacent white KEYS
OF the pianoforte and then drolly re-
marked. "That's the way to kill the
fe!Iow!' In Borlioz's dramatic cantata
the orchestra gives a delightful de-
ilneatlon of the fugacious antics Of the
pestlfcrous insect. The comedy con
ceits Of Herr Braunfels run on similar
lines occasionally, though he like
bce'hovcn IN the story, suggests the
ktlHng OF the insect-not by pressure
Of the thumb nail, but by broadside
rom blg Berthas- tympani, bass drum,
q tendish gong and trumpets which
shrek like raving maniacs and threaten
to split not only the ear drums but the
skulls of the listeners. Mr. Stokowski
seemed to rcvel in the din, however.
Satirizes Fellow Composers
But Herr Braunfels not only in.
aulged in the humor invited by his
subject; he also entertained himself
and his hearers by parodyinc and
satiri2ing some Of his fellow com
noseIs. His flea nipped Strauss's "Owl-
glass LISTS "preludes," Wagner's
Meistersingel' and, we thought
lthough mere in a respectful spirit),
ne author Of he theme himself. 1t IS
all lsre fun in spite of it's erudition
and technical skill, which is profound.
The other pieces played we're
Brahmns's Second Symphony and De
hussN's "L'Apres-midi dune Faune."
which. Ike the variations, were played
with precision, spirit and refinement.
Mr.. $tokowsk has rearranged the
seating cf his band so as to bring all
nc >iolins and violas in a group at his
.eit and the viooncelos in front, in
the place ordinarily occupied by the
second violins. Whether or not there
Las been gain in effectiveness we
shall not attempt TO say. Much de-
oends upon the place in the room oc-
"up..d By the Nstener.