New-York tribune., 1922-11-03
Glazounof's 8 B Flat
Symphony Revived
By DanlrOscla Band
Afniable Work is Agreeably
Played at Carnegie Hall;
Miss Florence Easton Wins
Triumph in Song Recital.
By II. E. Krchbiel

Oy III. T.. krChblGi
Mr.. Walter Damrosch gave she Car
negie Hall concerts Of the Symphony
Orchestra an invigorating start YES
terday afternoon when he gave a per-
fornlance to Glazounoff's Symphony
In B fiat. The work, which is not new
to local halls, presents the Muscovite
genius IN . peculiarly amiabie mood.
II sailed out upon our mu5ical waters
yesterday, as on at least two previous
occasions, with all sails set, fresh
breeze blowing, bearing cargo Of
ivory, apes and peacocks, a large por-
ton OF which had been brought to
our shores by other ships commanded
by such widely different mariners as
Wagner, Verdi and Mendelssohn. No
harm in that. Musical themes have
always been common property. Il is
1ne manner in which they are treated
~h,ch counts, and one of the most
.uoiIsh ways in which a reviewer can
waste his time is to spend ID in trac-
ing "reminiscences.
nevertheless, it was dfvertinc ves.
terday, was the memory-eudreIin. :.
which the symphony caused. The con.
seriousness that we wdke listening to
something which we had heard hefore
came before dozen measures had been
prayed. Not because Wotan brandished
ms sword in the principal theme. for
.here is no proprietary right in the
intervals OF the common chord even in
Wagner.s sequential arrangement Of
snem. put later came phrase from
Ferrando's s narrative in the first scene
OF II Irovatore." That unlocked a
nttie drawer in the cupboard Of mem
CRY, and we recalled the first perform
ance of the symphony by the Philhar-
monte society, under the direction of
anton Seidl, ever twenty-four years
ago. IT was the first time that the
name OF Glazounoff appeared on Phil.
harmonic program, and it brought
something like startling surprise:
for, though Giazounoff was not whole
newcomer (no Russian ESCAPED Mr..
Aitschuler in those days), we had
heard so much OF Borodin and other
Wild men of the Steppes that it was
almost novel sensation to meet one
OF the race who was willing to win at
tention by methods of gentle persua-
sion instead Of arresting it ayi ct
arms, as they say in the lay courts.
:, Ihen the gentlemen from Boston, as
they used to be called in perhaps in
Vldlous compliment, let us hear the
symphony again nine years ago, and
the enthusiasm which the first perform
anee had evoked was repeated. Per
maps 1T has had repetition since; we
90 not know. 1t was welcome yester.
days -seemed particularly welcome, In
sdeed, because it disclosed so much re-
spect for traditional forms Of EXPIRES
he u
he had to say and what was worth saw
ing, in such frank, honest, uncon.
strained way, with such fine and varied
instrumental sorority, with SO obvious
a purpose to give delight to the ear,
awaken the imagination and warm the
emotions. 1t is not great page in the
book of symphonies. but it is clearly
writ and worth hearing at intervals to
keep ears in tune. refresh jaded minds
and preserve good taste. 1t was finely
played. and we doubt il it suffered
the excellently imaginative modernism
Of Respighi's fountains Of Rome"
which brought the concert to an end.
Between the two purely orchestral
numbers came Brahms's violin con-
certo, the solo part played by Mr.. Al
bert Spalding. 1t was not an inspired
CT inspiring performance, for which
we take it, insufficient rehearsa,s were
largely to blame. 1t is not enough
that solo instrument and band be kept
in step in music like this. There must
be meeting of minds and of feelings
between solo player and the conductor,
and harmonious, sympathetic co-opera-
tion between ali the factors enlisted
in the proclamation.
Florence Easton's song recital in
Carnegie Hall last night was, in the
current phrase of the day. an "out-
standing" artistic occasion, an affair
over which chaste and dignified beauty
presided. Miss Easton is admired, re-
srected, honored, ms strong prop of
our operate institution. She might be
that If her artistic activities did not
extend beyond the opera house; but
they reach farther, because her fine gifts
and abilities are paired with and in
spired by affectionate appreciation of
all that is lofty and good in music.
She was noble interpreter of Gluck
in the splendid air 80 tot, uui
prolongeas mes jours," from the
Tauridian "1phigenia"; poetic inter-
prefer also of the German Lied, as IL
Illustrated in groups Of songs by Schu-
mann and Wolf, and an exemplar of
clear diction and vocalization in the
varied German. French, English and
other songs which made up her in
teresting program. Her hearers in
numbers and character paid her lovely