The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1929-09-28

to Open
Season
0na B. Talbot Presents
Two Very Famous
Symphonies.

W. VI tilC HOIIu IIOSJ IdiIlOuS
- orchestras, the Boston SYM
phony under the leadership of Serge
Koussevitzky, the Chicago SYM
phony, with Frederick Stock con-
Quoting, music and beauty as inter-
preted by the Isadora Duncan
Dancers, the reigning sensational
Spanish dancer, La Argentia and
one performance of the German
Grand Opera Company is the
splendid program to be presented
at the Murat during the coming
season under the direction of the
iona B. Talbot Fine Arts Enterprise.
The opening concert on Thurs
day evening, Oct. 81, will bring the
Boston Symphony orchestra to In
dianapolis, after an absence of some
seventeen years. In other years the
Boston symphony has been heard
here under the leadership of DR..
Carl Muck and Max Fielder. This
year Serge Koussevitzky, who for
the past five years has guided this
organization to the highest artistic
heights will conduct.
Albert Roussel, the famous French
composer. wrote the following ar
ticle in tribute to KousSevitzky, the
conductor of the Boston Symphony
orchestra. The article, which APP
peared in "Musique ct Theater," is
here translated:
NJ Serge Koussevitzkv is again In Paris,
and the four symphony concerts which he
has announced will bring together once
more. in the Opera House. his following
of musicians and amateurs. They are
drawn as much by the constantly renewed
interest of his programs as by the I'M
deniable attraction which he holds on his
audiences. Important musical events are
certainly not lacking in Paris. Among the
high priests of this religion which in our
country is increasing daily in devotees,
M Serge KousseyitzkY is one of those
whose ministrations are most punctually
attended. even though they take place only
at rare intervals. The reason is doubt
less in the accent of modernitY in these
particular rites. and also in the per-
sonality of the ministrant and the order
of ceremonies. which awaken the curiosity
and hold the attention.
1t will be remembered that M Kousse-
vitzkY gave his first concerts in Paris in
1921. He was then already known as a
marvellous virtuoso of the double bass.
since revealed as conductor of the first
order. 1t was known that he had formed,
in 1907. a symphony orchestra with which
he had given concerts not only in Mos
COW and Petrograd. but also in outlying
towns where symphony concerts had never
been heard. 1t was thus that he had
made all Of Russia acquainted with the
music of his younger countrymen, as well
as the classical repertory. and likewise
with such French composers as Debussy.
DukaS and Ravel. 1t was also known that
he had founded in Moscow a music pub
fishing house devoted to the publication
of most striking and audacious works of
contemporary Russian composers.
He came to France. then. preceded by a
reputation which he justified in his first
contact with the French public. The three
Russian programs which he then gave
us included certain works already known
to us by Rimsky-Korsakov. Moussorgsky.
etc. but further revealed to us com
positions such as the Scythian Suite OF
Prokofieff. the poem of Ecstasy Of Scria-
bip work of Liadoy, Achmaninoff, etc.
He also made an impression as one of
the most remarkable leaders of men, one
OF the most magnificent anmating spirits
who has consecrated to the service of
music his sympathetic faculties and his
persuasive powers.
In fact. it is impossible to see him at
the conductors desk without being struck
by the impression of calm authority. con-
centrated energy. which is an expression
of an imperiouS and essentially original
personality. With his straight figure. his
dominating eve. he summons with an ir-
resistible gesture all that is in the or
chestra-unloosed sonorities which never
theless are shaped by his will into a per-
feet balance. He has recalled to some the
memory of Nikisch. and surely it can be
said of him what has been said of the
great Magyar leader-"he plays on the
orchestra"
But if his gestures are admirable in
clarity and persuasion. thev never in
volve exaggeration or superiority. Every
motion has its definite intention. and at
tains its goal. His position changes little;
il is BY means of his arms and hands. and
by his magnetic glance that NJ. Kousse-
vitzkv obtains the most surprising effects.
At times BY q total cessation OF move
ment he underlines and makes more vivid
the mechanical and regular rhythm Of
Scherzo. Motionless. his hands at his
sides. in an attitude of meditative COM
posure. he seems to listen to the beating
pu!se Of the orchestra.
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