Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1922-04-24
Augusta Symphony
Orchestra Concert
a Great Success

sunday Evening at City nan
Draws Audience That Packs Audi
torium - Splendid Program Of
Selections Finely Rendered by Local
Musicians, and Occasion is One of
Great Pleasure for All
The last public rehearsal of the Au-
gusta Symphony Orchestra for the
season was held Sunday night at City
hall and it was by far the greatest
success that the orchestra has ever
scored. City hall was crowded, there
being the largest attendance ever re-
corded at one of the Symphony con-
certs. This crowd was estimated at
about 1900 and this fact was source
Of much satisfaction to the members
of the orchestra.
For the first time, the orchestra was
seated on the stage and this brought
out the beautiful blending of the in
struments as never before. Director
Ernest r. Hill stood upon platform
built in front of the Stage and slight
~ raised that he might conduct the
more easily. The whole front of the
stage was banked with evergreen and
the platform upon which the conduc-
tor stood was decorated with potted
shrubs
The first number on the program,
the overture 'Undine" fittingly opened
program such as few cities in the
country, of the size OF Augusta ever
have the pleasure of hearing. played
by an orchestra of local people.
Director Hill then announced that
Handlers Largo had been requested
and would be the next selection. This
beautiful piece was rendered in
charming manner with great express
sion and was heartily spplauded.
After the selection from I'll Trova-
tore which was next on the program,
1t was necessary to give an encore so
great was the applause For this en-
core the Frederic March by Friede-
mann was selected This also was
greatly appreciated by the audience.
The beautiful and oriental suite,
THE Kings Bal Masque" was the first
number after the intermisson and the
oriental treatment of the theme was
most pleasing.
The descriptive selection. "The Mu-
sical Critics Dream" can best be de-
scrlbed by quoting the synopsis as
given on the program: A musical
critic severely criticised an organjst
TOR introducing into ar Offertory a
popular melody. and declared that
such music was ignoble. That night
the critic had dream in which he
saw group of the old masters, who
q
serted that no music could be ignoble
If nobly treated. To prove this state
ment, each one seated himself at the
organ and rendered one OF his best
known compositions, substituting the
condemned popular melody as the
leading theme.
At the playing of the Star SpangIed
Banner. portion of the audience left
the hall, causing much confusion and
some resentment from those who stiI
delight in hearing our National an
them.
me feeling of the n-embers of the
orchestra with regard TO the manner
IN which they have been received by
the people of this city Is shown nv
me Following letter which was print
cd upon the program Of the evening:
To our Friends: May we, the All,
gusta symphony Orchestra. take this
opportunity Of thanking YOU. orr
guests. for tho very friendly feeling
and courteous reception that has been
accorded us in our humble efforts to
hlease you? We feel that our eXer-
tlons nave not been in vain and hope
next fail to present TO you an orches-
tra that Augusta will not be ashamed
OF ana a class Of music that will be
educative as well as pleasing to lis
ten to.
The conductor would like to take
this means of thanking the members
of the A. S. Orchestra for the Won
tnerful cooperation and support and
kindly feeling that has existed during
our many. private rohearsals. and to
7v that there Is much credit due thn'.l
for any success that we may have at
tanned.
Sincerely.
E. II. HILL.
The evenings program was as fol-
lows:
Overture, "Undine," Lortzing
Selection (by requesD, Largo,
Handel
Selection. III Trovatore," Verdi
Encore, Frederic March,"
Intermission. rf'eho"'a""
Oriental Suite, The Kings Bal
Masque" Bendix
tA) The Dervishes'
CB) Blue Beard and Fatma"
90 "The Hindoo Priests"
cd "The Cossacks"
Reverie After Sunset" Pryor
Descriptive The Musical Critics
Dream Dix