TOSCANINI IN VIENNA

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLIII, Issue 20930, 8 January 1938, Page 18

TOSCANINI IN VIENNA

RARELY-PLAYED WORKS The autumn concert season in Vienna began with two Toscanini concerts given by the Philharmonic. The second concert, dedicated to Brahms, was particularly beautiful. After the rarely played youthful work, the "Serenade," op. 16. which is fraught with such persuasive melody, we were given Variations on a Theme by Haydn. Perhaps no one understands better than Toscanini how to evoke in this work sue great virtuosity and such intimate appeal. Brahms is preeminently a lyrical composer and it is wrong for an interpreter to attack his works too dramatically. His music must be sung.

With this in view Toscanini interpreted also the Second Symphony, that work of wonder which is so permeated with refreshing humanity and warm sincerity. How far removed is this from the violent, heroic performances which to-day are so much in favour. The much slandered period of middleclass liberalism from which Brahms sprang could have been so bad. to produce such a distinguished representative.

The other Toscanini concert presented a very mixed programme: after

a Vivaldi Concerto Grosso we heard Saint-Saens’s Symphony in C minor, which was amazingly effective. This was followed by Bizet’s “Arlesienne” Suite that is usually played only at popular concerts. It was a great pleasure to hear this charming music in Toscanini’s rendering. Ravel’s orchestration of Moussorgsky’s “Pictures from an Exhibition” afforded equal pleasure.