Evening star., 1940-10-23

ira" which Mr.. Ormandy had most
skillfully transposed, the Beethoven
Concerto No. in G. Major" with
that superb artist. Rudolf Sekin,
as soloist. Sibelius' Symphony No.
Z, Op. 105," followed, not heard here,
If memory serves correctly, since
April, 1885. when the Boston Sym
phony played it; new work by the
young American, Samuel Barber,
entitled Essay for Orchestra and
finally four excerpts from Wagners
die Meistersinger."
There was much in this program
. to test the interpretive ability and
the musical vision of any conductor
and the reading which Mr.. Ormandy
gave to each number shed new
light on his versatility and musi-
-cianship. Special praise should be
offered him for his manner OF re-
garding the orchestra as capable of
the superfine coloring single in
strument might give out and not
as merely an organ for the produc-
ton of massive tone and massive
effects Many passages in last
nights varied group of numbers
were unforgettable for their sheer
beauty of execution and the keen
ness of perception guiding their
development.
The transcription of the Handel
concerto was a revelation OF what
can be done in arranging this classic
music for use with an orchestra OF
the present day dimensions. In his
adaptation MI Ormandv has re-
spected thoroughly the original style
and the original timbre to be OBJ
tanned while enhancing its charm
by greater richness OF tone. The
work has buoyancy that is evident
even in the broad, noble line of the
beginning and which breaks forth
refreshingly as the tempo qulckens.
The balance of orchestral voices IS
eXcellently maintained and the
entire effect was much more satisfy
ing than many other adaptations
have been. Several recalls for the
conductor -arranger testified to its
success at this first hearing in this
city.
Serkin Particularly Gifted.
Mr.. Serkin has not had many ap-
pearances here as soloist, being
known chiefly for his sonata recitals
with Adolf Busch. His very indi-
vidual approach in Interpretation
has always impressed Itself on his
listeners and was fully confirmed in
his playing of the beautiful Bee
thoven concerto. He has special
gift of making music speak indie
pendent of its mechanical medium
as in the second movement, which
was almost ethereal in its delicacy
and moving sentiment. Less unusual
in his reading of the first move
ment, he seemed to penetrate with
keener insight into that exquisite
conversation that exists between
piano and orchestra in, the Andante.
Tones that barely whispered yet
were warm in their poignancy, re-
markable spacing of time in their
delivery and an Elusive quality in
the spinning of phrase gave a rare
eloouence to the whole. In the bril-
liant and airy Rondo Mr.. Serkin's
superb technique made a flashing
display, yet was restrained from
mere .ostentation. Whether in the
brief hymnlike passages, the init /.
mate moods or the happy outburst
which Beethoven has woven to-
gether in so mastery fashion in
this work, Mr.. Serkin had at COM !
mand a personal expression in feel .
ing and delivery. The artist was
greeted with storm of applause at
the conclusion which continued for
several minutes. In his accom- |
paniment, Mr.. Ormandy seconded !
every idea of the soloist with rare
skill.
II it should be that the Seventh
Symphony" remains the last that
sibelius will compose, it might al
most be considered a review of the
composers life. Apart from its
form, it appears like a reverie |
wherein there passes before the
minds eye the experiences of life
time. Fragmentary pictures, for
the most part, they express the sad
or gay, the dramatic and stormy,
IN nearly equal proportions. From