Evening star., 1934-12-16

Overture, In the Olden Style
on French Noels". "..... Philip James
~ HILIP JAMES, who Is well
u known as an excellent con-
ductor as well as the winner
i of the first prize of the Ma
tional Broadcasting Co. Or
chestral award in 1882, an honor
which gave him q deserved reputation,
has kindly accepted my invitation to
conduct in person his delightful over
ture, In the Olden Style on French
Noels."
This composition. as the title indi-
Gates, is constructed upon French
noels, two in number but of different
character. These are "Venez, Devin
Messie," which is the first in the COM
position. and "Rejouissez-vous, Divine
Marie" Throughout the work the
composer has studiously avoided any
thing like the modern idiom and has
simply given modern orchestral color
and musical spontaneity to an over
ture in strict classical form, with the
aid Of two charming French carols.
While neither of the noels (carols)
selected by Mr.. James for musical
treatment in his overture date back
among the very early ones. they are
both excellent specimens Of the
French noel. The first one, which is
still in existence, is known to have
and Sens in the twelfth century.
About 400 years later these very early
noels were succeeded by carols treated
in the classic manner. This, too. had
its origin in France, the first to write
them being Francois Eustache du
Caurroy, master of the chapel to
Kings Charles TX, Henri III and Henri
Nv Of France. This form was taken
up in Italy. but in no other country.
1t Is curiously indicative Of the diff
ference which exists between the more
contemplative German character in
contrast to the more exuberant nature
of the French that the Christmas
songs Of Germany are full of more
sentimental feeling, and the French
full Of joyousness and gayety, the char
acter of which Mr.. James has excel
lently emphasized in his splendid or
chestration.
Concerto Per La Notte di Natalie"
Manfredini
The concerto by Manfredini was
but recently discovered. He was an
Italian violinist and composer of the
seventeenth century. who like Corelli,
Handel Bach and others, wrote works
for string orchestra. The present con-
certo, which was played for the first
time last year in New York by the
New York Philharmonic Orchestra,
was written especially for the cele-
bration in q cathedral Of Christmas
night. and it Is therefore appropriate
to the season.
Hungarian Dances, Nos. and 2"
Brahms
The enthusiastic acclaim with which
our playing Of the Fifth and Sixth
Hungarian Dances" by Brahms, was
received last season has prompted
me to try two others of these, and I
have chosen Nos. l and 2.
As Is well known, the melodies Of
these dances were originally played
by gypsies. Brahms was so delighted
with them that he adopted them and
put them in q more classic garb, ar
ranging them for different combina-
tions. Notwithstanding this classical
treatment. they have lost none Of their
impetuous and rhapsodic elan: on
the contrary, Brahms, whose nature
was strongly inclined toward romanti-
cism, has. If anything, intensified these
particular qualities and made of them
small but eloQuently expressive and
characteristic tone pictures.
Nights in Garden of Spain,' for
piano and orchestra. De Falla
OF the same inspiration and there
fore interesting because there is
very strong contrast to the previous
dances is the work Nights in
Garden Of Spain"
Melodies Of the Spanish gypsies are
less fanciful, more elemental, nearly
relentless in their rhythmic con-
tinuity.
Last season. with Sophie Braslau
as Soloist, We performed Eel Amor
Brujo" Glove. the Sorcerer'D. which
was also based on some of the gypsy
tunes Of Spain, and its reception at
that time made me decide to give this
other and rarely played De Falla work,
which Is one Of the great Spanish
composers most typical works and
lives up to the color and rhythm and
fantasy which its title implies.
De Falla has not merely Transcribed
these rhythms but, as an artist would
make . large oil painting from small
ond nAor1v ro01joih1a ekatnh hoe