Douglas daily dispatch., 1927-04-17
DOUGLAS NEW
ORCHESTRA IN
SPRING DEBUT

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THE first recital of the Douglas
String orchestra was given at the Par
ish house on Thursday evening and
despite unpleasant weather "a vLry
large audience attended. Well merited
congratulations were rendered to A. j.
Pickering, director, and the IA mem
bers of the orchestra after the event,
which, it is conceded, was ONE of the
most delightful concerts ever heard in
Douglas and undoubtedly the best ever
presented here by Juveniles.
The achievement of the orchestra,
which in the; main is composed of high
school pupils, came as a surprise to
those present, the long program of diff
ficult pieces being played with such
cohesion and smoothness that the re-
suit might we'll be envied by an or
chestra with years of training and
experience No doubt remained in the
minds of the auditors that in the or
chestra isa n asset of value to the
community and that it will prove a
source of pride to Douglas citizens
when compared with similar organiza-
tions in the state.
The orchestral items of the program
were nine in number and exhibited
wide range of melody and technique,
from the light and dainty Caprice to
the more sonorous and complicated
compositions of Grieg and other cTas
sizes.
The opening Bridal Procession" by
Olsen, was typical of the Scandinavian
! composers quaint and appealing style,
and though brief was rendered in a
manner that assured the listeners of
the capability and perfect unison of
the orchestra. In contrast with this
lighter melody there followed the eerie
cadences of Grieg in the selection from
the peer Gynt Suite" the playing of
this more difficult composition proving
the versatility of the performers and
their capable response to the baton of
Director A. j. Pickering. Another typi-
cal Olsen number, Great Grand
mothers Bridal Waltz" had effective
appeal, this being succeeded by DIAL
lesbos elaborate "Neapolitan Serenade,'
which completed the first group by
the orchestra, prolonged applause un-
mistakably marking the impression
which had been made.
Leslie Farber, solo violinist, opening
with Kriesler's difficult "Liebesfreud,
proved himself master of his instru-
ment and prepared his listeners for
later treat in which promise there was
no Disappointment. His next solo, LIE
gende,' of Wienawski, while not so
technical as the preceding number af-
forded wider scope for the display of
tone and feeling, which were evidenced
to high degree. There followed the
immortal AVE Maria" of Schubert,
which received dignified and worthy
treatment at the violinist's hands, and
he concluded his group with Kreislers
delightful Caprice Viennois,' in which
is embodied the melody made famous
by John Mccormack in the beautiful
"Cradle Song" which has been per-
haps the most widely appreciated et-
fort of the great tenor.
/ Leslie Farber now in his fifteenth
year, displayed in his performance a
capability and finish which testifies
to the perfection of his training and
leaves no doubt that he will make a
distinctive mark in musical circles at
no distant date.
Five piano solos by David Farber,
who has not yet attained his thir-
teenth year, were next presented and
were received with the enthusiasm
thy highly deserved. A regular ova-
ton was accorded the young artistic at
the conclusion6of his first solo, Chopin's
"Valse Brillante," which was brilliant
in execution as we'll as name. The
effect made was intensifiedtby the very
brief but spectacular rendering of the
same composers powerful prelude in
T. Minor, No. 49, There followed yet
another Chopin composition, 'Valse in
e Miner" the effective conclusion of
| which evoked another salvo of ap-
plause. Next came the charming Ca
price" of Welzeck, and rumor is that
"Wilzeck' is a. fictitious name under
which is concealed the identity OF a
well-known Douglas musical instructor.
If this rumor is true Douglasites may
| feel justly proud of the composition
ard the composer.
The young soloist reserved what was
probably his best number to the last,
! the "Segudillo" of Albeniz making
such an impression that the audience
J would have no refusal of an ENCORE,
which was accorded by the player with
| Paderewskrs we'll known and loved
| 'Minuet in G.''
| To say that David Farber shows
promise of achieving the ultimate with
| his chosen instrument is not an exag-
| geration, for at his early age he ex-
! hibits powers which are usually at
| tanned after years of arduous study and
! practice. Moreover, in his playing
/ there is more than brilliance of exc
| cution, there is the supreme attribute
t-soul.
! Resuming the orchestral program,
| the distinctive quality of Schumann
was made finely evident in the por-