The New York herald., 1922-01-02
BY w. J. HENDERSON.

The second program of the Symphony
Society, conducted by Albert Coates. the
visiting conductor from London, was
heard in Aeolian Hall yesterday after
| noon. There were four numbers
Mozarts Marriage of Figaro" over
ture; symphonic cycle entitled "Pot
Pourri." by John Gerard Williams. a
Briton: a ballet suite called lie Bouti-
| que Fantastique," constructed by Resp
highi on remnants left by Rossini. and
the irrepressible "Scheherezade" of
| Rimsky- -Korsakov. The second and third
| of these numbers were heard for the
irst time here.
+ Figaro having been married in un-
usual haste and left. presumably. to
repent at leisure his suspicious of the
chaste Susanna, Mr.. Coates proceeded
to unfold the delicate petals Of Mr..
Williams's collection OF dried flowers.
Isabel Scott -Bremner wrote nine short
poems about the blossoms in this pot
pourr. They were lavender, thyme,
pinks, cassa, roses, musk. rosemary
rue and lilies of the valley. and there
is a little epilogue about the sweet
little old lady with silver hair" who
sat busy with her memories in the room
perfumed by the medley.
A pretty fancy dainty set forth in
pretty set of very short pieces. all
possessing character, suggestiveness. ex-
quiste sensitiveness in instrumental
treatment and unaffected musical quail
ity. The choice of the word Sym
phonic" in forming the title of the
composition was unfortunate. Its use
will doubtless mislead many hearers
into expecting something big. something
with profundities and fathomless
imaginings, instead of a series OF simple
little lyrics, not even as ambitious as
one of Wordswortln's apostrophes to
the daisy.
Rossini. if appears, left scrap book.
which was really a book of scraps. In
1t were found many odds and ends and
unconsidered trifles, which Rossini had
consigned TO oblivion under the single
word ''rien." But the restless Diaghileff
fof Russian ballet Industry got hold
of the book and persuaded Resphighi, tho
italian composer. to arrange a ballot
suite, which was subsequently orches-
trated by one Howard Carr and per-
formed in London in May, 1919.
If Mr.. Williamss suite. with the help
of the poems of Mrs. Scott -Bremner,
lid actually make one think of an old
fashioned pot-pourri of dried flowers,
then it must be confessed that coming
Immediately after 1t this Rossini suite
might have reminded some hearers of
tHt BTdilu OlQ udyS VI tHc hiIdiiy
Brothers. Imre and Bolossy and the
immortal dialogue:
Zamiel-"How goes the record of the
dying year? Are all the souls gathered
in?
Slxuldawelp-"All save one-Herzog.
the Black Crook"
Mr.. Diaghileff undoubtedly can fnd
use for such music in his business, but
Mr.. Coates, who looks like a kind man,
might spare us the discomfort of hear
ing 1t at a symphonic concert. And If
he insists on our hearing 1t, he might
cause 1t to be performed little more
smoothly.
or Rimsky- -Korsakov's perennial song
oe Sinbad, the sea, the calendar, the
young prince and princess and the ship
wreck, it can be said with all Joy that
it does not yet pail. 1t is good food for
the imagination, despite the diabolical
ingenuity with which that same Mr..
Diaghilen harnessed it in n mismarriage
to his lewd ballet of action.
The program yesterday made mention
Of the fact that Gustave Tinlot. concert
master of the orchestra, played the
violin solo. but why not give every one
his due? Mr.. Tinlot played his inn
portant solos well. but so did Mr..
Schmitt. first 'celIist; Mr.. Barrere. first
flute Mr.. Matthew. first oboe and Mr..
Letelier. first bassoon- At the close OF
the number there was much applause
from the audience and general hand
shaking on the stage.