Evening star., 1947-04-08
By Alice Eversmon

The San Francisco symphony
Orchestra made It's first appearance
In Warrington last night In Consti-
tuition Hall and received q rousing
welcome. It's genial conductor. Pierre
Monteux. was kept bowing for some
time before he could begin the con-
cert by q warmth Of reception that
few visiting orchestra leaders have
received. with the many opportuni-
ties this city has to judge symphonic
performances, 1t would seem there
was little new to discover. Mr.. Nom
teux and his men proved the fallacy
| of that belief. They brought some
thing new and had the audience
close to cheering before the program
was finished.
/ This magnificently toned group
plays with inspiration and q fiexibil-
| ity that outlines its artistic inten-
lions from q fresh standpoint. Mr.,
Monteux Is a musical analyst OF the
first water but with a vision for the
pictorial powers Of the chiaroscuro
of orchestral tone and remarkable
hnesse In employing 1t to just the
right degree. The robust quality OF
the ensemble can reach impressive
sorority yet the conductor Is skilled
in drawing from its depths the In
struments that high light the pat
tern Of the music. F1uctuation OF
volume is achieved with great sup
pleness and by its dynamic clarity.
registers strong effects.
With such definite mechanical
means at his disposal, his reading OF
the Bach 'Passacaglia and Fugue In
G minor" was an impressive begin
ming. The orchestration Respighi has
given 1t casts another light on Bach.
Through his more vivid italian tenn
permanent, Respighi has done away
with the ponderous quality often as
signed to Bach's music in the orches-
ira and given 1t brightness and buoy
ancy., The massive design and its rich
tonal expression are there but
pointed with light. Mr.. Monteaux's
treatment infused it with gracious
ness as well as nobility.
Also in Brahms Symphony No. 1"
his understanding was OF pentrat-
ing order. There was deliberate
simplicity in delivery that opened up
the music so that nothing was hid
den, especially its lyricism. In ball
ance, eloquence and clarity it was q
noteworthy reading. Strauss Don
Juan" did not fare so well. Its
episodes were piled too quickly upon
each other and, although the per-
formance was Ilstrous with fire, Its
continual white heat made the cli-
max seem tame rather than dra-
matte.
The most striking number on the
program was Messiaen's "The As.
cension" given its first local hearing.
The work of this gifted leader of
the group known as La Jeune France,
Is Of highly original character in
fluenced, as 1t is, by his deep reh-
gious feeling. There Is an exaltation
expressed In tonal hues of thrilling
beauty and an unusual harmoniza-
ton, modern yet soft and rounded
in form. Based on Scriptural texts,
the composer has found extraordi-
nary means OF conveying their
quality In music. The first section,
Majesty Of Christ Beseeching His
glory Of His Father" Is given to the
wind instruments and the "Hallelu-
jahs'' to the trumpet and cymbal.
The music mounts In serene sub
Unity to the Prayer of Christ
Ascending to His Father" where
the strings alone sing In mystic
transportation. This Is music of
finer spiritual rapture than that
Of Cesar Franck's and Mr.. Mon