The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1936-03-25
Orchestra
Ends Year
Brilliantly
Final Symphony Concert
Brings Ovation for Play
erS and Director.
BY JAMES THRAsHER

Adding brilliant proof to claims
of "the most successful season to
date" the Indianapolis Symphony
Orchestra last night ended the
years series with a concert that
brought an ovation for players and
didector at its close.
A program well within the scope
OF the performers, the distinguished
pianism Of Rudolph Reuter-, guest
soloist, and Conductor Ferdinand
Schaefer in top form combined to
make the evening highly salts
factory.
LISTS poetic LES Preludes" was
heard first, played with richness of
color and lucidity of outline. There
Is none of the 'virtuoso" List in
this symphonic poem, but rather
sincere, imaginative creation, set
down with maSterful skill. Though
roughly played passages distracted
momentarily, Mr.. Schaefer gave the
work warm, sympathetic reading.
Chooses Emperor" Concerts
Mr.. Reuter- chose to do the So
called Emperor Concerto of Bee
tnoVen, work evidently much to
ms liking, and certainly suited to
MS gifts. His playing might be de-
scrlped as German, with a French
accent. There was all the clarity
and brilliance associated with the
French school," and a seriousness
OF Interpretation essentially leu
tonic. If this seriousness some
times led to arid stretches it did
not detract measurably from q de-
lightful rendition.
Master of the composition, Mr..
Reuter-, also was in complete COM
mand OF his instrument. He
"sang" upon the piano as bell-like
tones, or struck sparks from the
Keys, as in the brilliant opening
OF the final rondo. His runs were
sparkling and his trills things OF
beauty. To enthusiastic and p'o-
longed applause the soloist respond
ed with the F Major Nocturne of
Chopin.
That first great "impressionist.'
Hector Berlioz, master of orchestral
color, was represented by three ex-
cerptS from "The Damnation of
Faust" The first, the "Rakoczy
March" is familiar and stirring. The
Ballet DIES Sylphes" and "Menuet
ues Follets," specifically simple and
pleasant, are shot through with
spectral shadows. AS a subtle de-
lineator of the supernatural of
ghostly, fleeting forms, Berlioz has
few equals.
Dread Is DispelIed
An acid test Of any performer
or musical organization is their
treatment of such time-Worn pieces
as Strauss Tales From the vi
emma Woods" and Rossini's "Wil-
liam Tell" Overture, which con-
cluded the program. In one listen
er at least, the feeling of dread
with which these venerable classics
were contemplated was dispelled by
the freshness of their treatment.
The zitherS solo of Henry Won
Bank added an unaccustomed Ty-
rolean touch to the otherwise vi
ennese character of the Strauss
waltzes. They were played with
charming Tilt and gaiety.
AS for William Tell" it would
take virtuoso band to keep up
with the rushing tempo set by Mr..
Schaefer in the storm" music and
the finale. But the ladies and
gentlemen of the ensemble proved
themselves just that. The strings
fiddled valiantly and accurately,
and the brass, here and throughout
the program, played better than we
have ever heard them. Truly, it was
grand finale"
There is no question that, far as
1t may be from perfection, our Or
chestra has graduated into "long
trousers" Next years season is a
pleasant anticipation; more power
to them