[... gestern öffentliche Generalprobe ... zweite Symphonie von Sibelius (amerikanische Erstaufführung) ... Charakteristika des Werkes ... Elgar, "Parsifal", Liszts Klavierkonzert ...].

     Of the new symphony of Sibelius, it is not easy to form any exact estimate from a single hearing. It is a musical message delivered in an idiom unfamiliar to us, and much, which at first impresses as peculiar and unnatural, might, on closer acquaintance, take on clarity, eloquence, and possibly beauty. It seemed yesterday a composition wanting in the homogeneity and uniformity deemed essential in a symphony work. To those persons who are familiar with the symphonies of Bruckner, the statement that Sibelius' manner of writing closely resembles that of the Austrian composer will have meaning. There is much the same dramatic style–a dramatic style that savors strongly of the purely operatic–much the same fondness for sudden changing from one musical idea to another of totally different character, much the same invention of good thematic material, but a seemingly illogical manner of developing it. These, at least, are the impressions received from the hearing of the new work yesterday–they are but impressions and are, therefore, liable to know change, if not complete reversal, at a future time.

     Especially interesting proved the dark colored, somber second movement with its strangely lugubrious beginning, and the splendidly broad and deep shadowed finale of the work. [... Lob für Theodor Thomas ... über den Klaviersolisten ...].

     The program will be heard again tonight at 8:15 o'clock.           W. L. HUBBARD."