The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-11-18
St. Louis symphony Orchestra

St. Louis symphony Orchestra
 The Music Study club feels that 1t Is particularly fortunate to be able to offer as it's second artist concert the St. Louis Symphony orchestra, Rudolph Gang, conducting. The or chestra needs no introduction to Bir- mingham, as this will be it's third ap- pearance hereF Last spring it was brought as an added attraction, but this winter is on the regular concert course. The St. Louis Symphony or chestra is one of the oldest sym phony organizations in the country Tradition has it that symphonies were performed in St. Louis by a To- cal orchestra as early as 1S40. Be that as it may, the history of sym phonic music in St. Louis from Civil war time is well authenticated. One of the most valued treasures in the archives of the St. Louis Symphony society is a well preserved program of a symphony concert given by 40 musicians, known as the St. Louis Philharmon society. on october 1S, 1860. The director was Edward So- bolewski, a man of Polish birth, whose descendants to this day are actively identified with the musical life of St. Louis. The present St. Louis Symphony society dates from 1881.
 When the orchestra was first heard here it was under the conductorShip of Max Zach, who was conductor for IA years, and under his patient and untiring effrort he perfected an or chestral instrument which may cer- tainly be said to take rank as one of the SIX best orchestras in the United States. In 1921, Rudolph Gang was invited by the officials of the St. Louis Symphony society to accept the conductorship of the orchestra, due to the untimely death of Max Zach in February, 1921. When Gang ac- cepted the conductorship of tho St. Louis orchestra and entered upon his new duties in the fall of 1921. he felt that he had realized the greatest ann bition of his life. For years he had been a familiar figure in the musical world as a concert pianist, but Gang was impatient of the limitations or the S8 keys of the pianoforte. lie longed for the vastly greater oppor- tunity for musical expression ar forded by great symphony orches- tra, each key a living, delicately poised personality to be played upon at will by the conductor.
 MT. Gang has proven an ideal con ductor, his musical talents, his knowl- edge of human nature, his compelling personality, and his ever present
  bine to place him in a position that can be viewed\with nothing but ad- miration. Last spring, when the or- chrestra was here, much regret was expressed because MT. Gang did not play a concerto with the orchestra, So this time that wish will be gratified and MT. Gang will appear in the role of conductor and pianist.
 Extra Matinee At Popular Prices.
 The Music Study club has decided to give an extra matinee, and while this does not cone in the regular course. the prices are only 50 cents and S1. This puts the concert within reach of everyone and It Is noped that the house will be sold out Tor the afternoon. It has always been the dream of the Music Study club to be able to give good music at pop ular prices. but this has been impos- sible in the past, on account Of the small seating capacity.
 Orchestra Greatest Educational Force
 An orchestra is considered the greatest of all educational forces mu1 sicallv. and 1t Is to be hoped that. In the future several orchestral concerts can be-given during the season. Music is of all arts, the most unlVersai ana the most appealing. ana yet para doxically enough, the one In which systematic~ education Is most needed. The passing tune" catchy airs that are so taking at first become weari- some by mere reiteration, while the deeper compositions grow steadily in favor by constant rendition. The coming of the St. Louis Symphony orchestra on December IT will give us an opportunity to hear an ade- ouate interpretation of the works of the great composers, and With each succeeding concert the real music lovers will find that their appetite for good music will grow by what 1t feeds upon, and that having once at tained the heights of symphonic ap- preciation we will never be content, save in dwelling there. Birmingham should have a symphony orchestra of its own It may seem a far-away dream, but nothing Is impossible If we really build for 1t, so let's begin by creating a love for orchestra music. Then a desire for our own orchestra, and If the public really wants a Birmingham symphony or chestra it will get it, for what the
 The programs for the two concerts follow:
 Soloist: Helen Traubel, Soprano
 l. Beethoven: Overture to Egg mont"
 2. Schubert: Military March.
 8. Crieg: Peer Gynt Suite No. l, (a) "Morning Voices" (b) Asses Death" (c) "Anitra's Dance" (d) In the Hall of the Mountain King"
 4. Charpentier: Aria, "Depuis le Jour" (Ever Since the Day) from
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