The Washington herald., 1921-01-18
MILAN MUSICIANS
LED BY TOSCANINI
CHARM AUDIENCE
Delicate Tone Shadings
Mark Performance of
La Scala Orchestra.

Concerto in A minor for String
Orchestra (Antonio Vivald),
(arranged by Sam Franko): AL
legro moderate, adagio, allegro;
Fifth Symphony in C minor, T..
Opus 81 IL. van Beethoven):
Allegro con brio, andante
con moto, scherzi-fnale; 'Ibe-
ria" Images for Orchestra. No.
(Claude Debussy): Par les
rues ct par les chemins," Les
Parfume de Ia mutt" lie matin
dun jour do fete;' Fountains of
Rome" Symphonic Poem (Otto-
rino Respighi): THE Fountain
OF Vale Glulla at Dawn" The
Fountain of the Tritone in
the Morning" The Fountain
of Trevi at Noon" "The Foun-
tain of Villa Midici at Sunset"
Prelude and Isolde's Death
(Rioanrd wsEner): From iris
tan and Isolde.
Toscanini and La Scala Orches-
ira, of Milan, gave to Washington
music lovers yesterday afternoon
what probably will be the greatest
treat of the season-unless their
performance of tomorrow by some
eclipses 1t.
That is saying a very great deal,
because already this winter there
have been programs in the Capital
by the finest orchestral organiza-
tions in the United States, and more
Of the same high character are to
come. However, those who listened
to the program yesterday probably
ire already in agreement with those
critics who have said that such
music could not be produced by any
organization at this time
because no orchestra here has
had the great good fortune to re-
ceive its training under Maestro
Toscanini.
The charm of the work of La
Scala Orchestra yesterday was not
SO much in the perfection of tech
nique as in the marvellous shadings
produced under the ToscaninI baton.
The Beethoven Fifth Symphony in
Minor was interpreted-differ
ly. That does not mean that Wal
ter Damrosch and the New York
Orchestra could not have played it
quite as well. but the great Italian
leader has shown an originality of
italian Temperament" Prevails.
1t was this originality. the deli
cacy of shadings and what can be
nothing other than Italian temper
that made the program so
great a treat.
The second half of the program.
two modern works, Of
fered the essence of the treat" The
first of these, Claude Debussy's $
Iberia" Images for Orchestra No, q"
sound effects that are to
say the least, most unusual. Parties
rues ct par les chemins," the first
part of this work, can best be de-
scribed as busy" The chatter Of
peasants, the movement OF carts
and wagons, and all the activity OF
a busy street on a bright, sunny
lay are gathered into this charming,
novel, bit of music. Les Perfumes
de la mutt" and lie matin dun jour
de fete," the second and third parts
describe the velvety softness of
night sounds and the joyousness Of
a bright holiday.
The Fountains of Rome" SYM
phonic poem by Ottorino Respighi,
was nothing less than astonishing.
1t was evident that Toscanini found
this very much to his liking. He
is not ostentatious in his manner of
but n: worked with a
very apparent delight and enthusi-
asm in this number, which was
highly complex and difficult.
Astonishing Effects Produced.
Just as the waters of a fountain
gnore all regularity of rhythm, does
Respighi introduce irregularity-
woodwinds. brasses, all
,hopping in across the natural
-hythm of the music in an altogether
new and astonishing fashion.
The effect of playing fountains
md the passing of the day are de-
'cribed by the use of piano, celeste,
larps and chimes in the loveliest
of sounds Imaginable
Cries of "Encorew and "Bravo!"
and tremendous applause greeted
he conclusion of the number. The
scene was quite European" mas
much as there were in the audience
members OF the New York Sym
'hony Orchestra and many music
owing persons from the various
and legations in the city.
In great contrast to the Respighi
number, the orchestra played, In
concluding the program. Prelude"
Ind 'Isolde's Death" from Tristan
Ind Isolde" by. Richard Wagner.
The same skill that characterised
he entire program was displayed
n Toscanini's Interpretation of
Wagner, and the effort was as ap-
received.
Washington music-lovers are un-
luestionably indebted to Mrs. will
ION Greene, under whose local man.
Lgement the concert was siven,
or bringing va Scala orchestra to
he Capital.