Evening star., 1938-08-14
Masters Fine
Seen
In Recording
Toscanini Genius Is
Dominant Force
In Haydn Work.
BY ALICE EVERSMAN.

The popularity OF Artur Toscanini
has always been great in this
country and his broadcast last winter
has added to the number OF his ad-
mirers. Many people will be pleased
to learn that the Victor Co. has given
out recording by the maestro which
Is a real embodiment Of his great
conducting talent. In the Haydn
"Symphony No. 13 in G major"
played by the N B. c. Symphony Or
chestra under the Toscanini baton,
you will find one Of the most delight
full compositions superbly recreated by
the genious Of Toscanini.
What will strike you instantly on
hearing the record Is the difference
OF Toscaninis conducting from that
OF any other. 1t dominates the music
completely. especially if one is ac-
customed to hearing much OF the work
OF other orchestra leaders and has
grown familiar with their style. Some
times there is nothing outstanding in
their directing. but the standard in
terpretation is faithfully and mu-
sicianly followed. Again one finds
originality or more profound musical
conception, yet 1t is not so rounded out
that one is entirely satisfied. But
with Toscanini it is different. You
know at once that you have heard the
superlative in orchestral directing and
in musical Interpretation.
The N. B. c. Symphony was not one
OF the established organizations when
Toscanini took 1t over for the broad
casts. So its fine playing In this re-
cording and on the air can truthfully
be claimed as the result Of Toscanini's
instruction, although the men were
all picked for the quality of their
talent. But what you feel in the per-
formance is the conductors power to
gain every effect, and many Of these
minute ones. from body Of men to
the same degree that a greatly gifted
soloist would achieve them.
Toscanini Is measured in everything
that he does, and not many conductors
have the confidence to be 50. With
that as . basis, he has time to create
every illusion that he seeks and even
when increasing the tempo the meas
ure OF the work is never distorted. He
has impressed his men with the
necessity of taking time for an effect,
that it is not only the climax which
counts, but all Of the phrase from its
very beginning. He Also in this par
ticular work, achieves lightness in
the orchestral tone which does not di-
minish the volume, but does away
with all heaviness and weight Of
sound.
The symphony which Toscanini
chose for this recording is full Of charm
and grace, yet in his reading Of it he
penetrates further than what might
easily appear on the surface to one
less discerning. Written in 1887. as
commissioned by the Concert de la
Lose Olympique Of Paris, it was per-
formed at one Of the exclusive concerts
in the French capital. which had been
inaugurated to provide music on holi-
days, when opera was not permitted to
be given. 1t is known as Letter v" in
the catalogue of the London Philhar-
monic Society.
Haydn is at his delightful best in
this symphony, but Toscanini has 80
analyzed it that it contains an infinite
amount of variety under his directing.
The manner in which he has first set
A definite stamp on each movement
and then proceeded to unravel it with
artistic care is truly extraordinary.
The Largo. which at first might seem
unduly restrained. develops into mag
nificent bit Of poetic fantasy as the
director conceives 1t. The Menuetto
is sharply defined, splendidly accented
and gayly stressed, yet to a degree en-