Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1921-10-08

synphonv - minOr .....,,. ...', r tSnCN |
wo1"n'S Ff%' rare"sii S6d Fire Music Wagner
The Philadelphia Orchestra. renewed
by the long vacation and increased 70
more than 100 men on the personnel
opened the season Of 1921 ~ at the
Academy of Music Yesterday afternoon
with Mr.. StOkowski on the conductor
stand and a capacity audience III the
house. :.
Mr. Stokowsk made even more radi !
cal changes in the seating of the orgnni.,
zation than that which he introduced
at the close Of last season. Ihe hrbt
violins and tympani remain where they
have always been. but nearly every
other instrument in the orchestra hae
been changed. The second violinS Ht
now next TO tho frstS, on the left hand
side of the stage. with the violas next
TO them. tho ccllos next and the entire
wood wind section on the extreme right
in tho position formerly occupied by the
second viOlins and violas. The ten
BASES still stand at the rear of the
stage. but they have been moved to the
| left u considerable distance. The brass
stretches along one row nearer 10 the
front of the platform than the bases,
with the tubas at the left, then the
| trombonps. trumpets and French horns
| III Iuul OTutT'
Due perhaps somewhat to the new
arrangement in seating and somewhat TO
! tho fnrt that tho orchestra has been
augmented in numbers tho playing yes
! tcrday had an unusual sorority. The
program opened with tho beautiful
y minor symphony Of Cesar FrOnck.
, the one really great French contribution
TO the literature Of tho symphony. IL
was finely performed and read by Mr..
! Stokowski with all the reverence which
! this work inspires in both listener and
performer. The marvellous detail which
makes the composition stand rs unique
| in symphonic music was very clearly
| brought out, and indeed was emphasized
! by the new seating arrangements. To
! the same cause may be ascribed a
! curious feeling Of nloOfnpSS in the solo
passages on tho winds and horns when
accompanied only by the strings, al
/ though the general effect Of this was
piduant and by no means displea~ing.
The "Enigma variations of ElgHr
have been SO infrcQuently played here
that they came in th" nature Of n semi e..
novelty. Many Of tho fourteen follow
what seems TO bc the first principle Of
modern variation writing -- that the
variation shall be as far removed from
the theme as possible. They Rro meant
TO display musically the characteristics
of fourteen friends OF tho composer and
they doubtless do 10 those who knew
the persons so described. but not to tn
casual hearer. 4 composition of thi
sort must represent a definite mood an
the variation form is too short to allow
such a mood to be thus established. The!
are principally interesting from th
standpoint of tic Orchcstration, whicl
is very skllful and effective
The concluding number was Wotan'
Farewell and the Magic Fire MUS,
from die Walkuere. Mr.. Stokowsk
is always en- rapport with the seniority
OF the Wagner Orrhcstration. which car
be massive and "ulOrful without bc!n!
heavy, and the orchestra gave the musj,
fine performance. The huge audience
greeted the conductor with great ap
, pausc. both upon his appearance and a
the close Of the program.
Considering the new members and thu
difficulty Of the program. the orchcstvi
played exceedingly we'll. although ther
were those unmistakabe evidences Of III
long vacation. which arc always Appar
cnL at the opening concert or TWO.