The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1922-01-30
POLAKOFF WINS
WELCOME;EvEN
STEAM SUBDUED
TOung vioIinist Exceis Most Am.
bitions Advance Notices; SYM
ph0py Asks succor.

A single discordant mind in an
audience can completely unpoise
artists. and when a soloist plays
against such discordant elements
which completely drown the instru-
ment and the accompanying orches-
trail instruments-and still win the
audience, he can certainly be said
10. have made a success. David
Polako6. the young violinist, did
this, at the Tri-iCty Symphony Or
chestra concert yesterday after
noon in the Coliseum, Davenport
The noise which came from
such an unpublished source
SIS steam radiators during
the opening numbers, including
those by the young musician. COM
pltely spoiled the otherwise mag
ifcent concert.
Ludwig Becker, the conductor,
after leading the musicians sup
porting the soloist through two
movements OF the marvellous con-
certs by Saint-Saens, and a part of
the third, suddenly stopped, and
waited until the noise had subsidized.
But through it all the young artist
displayed a poise which many an
older master might envy. He play
ed on through the intricate pas
sages, which might have been beau
,tifHl IL they had been heard, for
the last movement was the finest
part of the whole concerto without
a doubt.
The tri-cities have heard much
about this young protege of Lud-
wig Becker, who it wshld seem is
destined to follow in the footsteps
of his third cousin, Mischa Elman
He came here this fall, brought by
Mr.. Becker, the ever watchfuI lead
er, who has made the Trf-City Sym
phony orchestra the recognized or
ganization which it is, and made as
sistant concert master to William
Paarman.
Never before has he appeared on
a program here and 1t is typical of
Conductor Becker's pride in the or
chestra that he allowed him to
make his appearance with this or
ganiZation, instead of in a concert
of his own. The number given yes
terday was the same given when
the young musician appeared as So
loist with the Chicago Symphony
orchestra last May, where he was
acclaimed a coming master of the
most human of instruments; where
he played on the cherished $4,000
instrument belonging to Maud
Powell.
Filled With VigOr.
The most impressive part of the
work of young Polakoff is the
youth, fire and vigor in it-but this
was not so evident as to eclipse the
beautiful tones, detached pensive
humanneSs of the sympathetic
ethereal notes as they come from
his INSTRUMENTATION the move
ment called for the less resonant,
less appealing and vivid playing
The soioist is exceptionally easy in
his manner, too, which will carry
him far in his woodworking seems
difficult for him. even in the forid
Messages which called for such
tricks of tone blending as invaria-
bly, are evident in the playing of a
recognized artist, or for lingering
which required almost inhuman
swiftness and clarity of thought
Polakoff made the most of the
bpn1tblui StiuHlCiI lOeACu LOI ms
concert yesterday. Everyone no.
ticed the quality of the instrument,
but few guessed that it was a $4,000
Stradivarus which was being play
ed 1t was loaned from the Lyon
and Heafey collection for the day.
Much more could be said for this
young protege of Mr.. Becker, who
has come to the community to
study with the master conductor
and prepare for concert work. 1t
is enough to say that he was a rev.
citation to tri-city music lovers and
orchestra followers, who were loud
in their praise of the young man
from whom they will look for great