Aufführung der 7. Symphonie durch das Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra unter Ernst Kunwald im Emery Auditorium in Cincinnati. Julia Culp ist die Gesangssolistin bei Werken von Montiverdi und Brahms. Auf dem Programm stehen außerdem Ouvertüren von Cherubini und Dvorak. [Wiederholung vom 8.12.1916] (*).

 

Besprechung des gestrigen Konzerts in The Cincinnati Enquirer Nr. 344 auf S. 2, signiert "J. H. T.":

"                The Symphony Concert

     The fourth concert of the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra season in Emery Auditorium was given yesterday afternoon under the direction of Dr. Ernst Kunwald. With Julia Culp as soloist the following programm was presented:

[... Cherubini, Bruckner, Monteverdi, Dvorak, Brahms ...]

     It is the duty of a conductor who plans to be comprehensive in his scheme of programs to present works which occupy a position in the historical as well as artistic development of music, even though such works may not be of popular appeal. Dr. Kunwald, who is an ardent admirer of Bruckner, and who has given this community more of the Viennese composer's works than any other conductor active in this city, elected to present the seventh symphony at yesterday's concert. By many this symphony is regarded as the most readily understood of the Bruckner nine. Yesterday's was its first appearance in this city. Sincere though the preparation was it did nothing to alter the impression left by the previous works of Bruckner, that his is a most cumbersome, pedantic and uninteresting style. He occupies a given place in the historical development of music, but he has added nothing to the value of the symphony in spite of his verbosity and the sonority of his orchestral effects.

     The seventh symphony bears the same characteristics which have been noted in previous works. There is, however, one exception to be noted. That is the second movement, the adagio, which was written in memory of Richard Wagner. By announcement just before its performance yesterday Dr. Kunwald informed the audience that iz wozúld be played in memory of Hans Richter, "a king among conductors," whose death has just been announced. It was an appropriate tribute to the deceased leader and served to heighten the interest in the performance.

     There is great dignity, beauty and impressiveness in this movement, in spite of its length. The composer's admiration of Wagner was his inspiration, and one feels that the movement is the outpouring of a genuine love, touched by that loftier sentiment which Bruckner strives to effect in many other instances, but which he never succeeded in reaching in quite the same way as in this example. The absence of the tenor tubas, which were replaced by the French horns in yesterday's performance, took away a certain dark color which the composer intended, but otherwise it proved to be easily the finest thing of Bruckner we have yet had occasion to hear. The solemnity of its spirit, the rare beauty of its thematic material and the exalted ideal which inspired it make for one of the noblest tributes in music. If for no other reason this would be sufficient to justify a performance of the symphony.

    The other movements are ponderous and of lesser value. The first is notable for its orchestral tratment and, next to the adagio, is the best. The scherzo lacks mood, and the finale is discursive beyond patience, in spite of the liberal cutting Dr. Kunwald resorted to.

     The performance was brilliant. The men in the orchestra gave Dr. Kunwald the best they had, and he himself approached the work with great love and evident absorption. The adagio was beautifully played, and what the orchestra could do was done in the other movements, so that the success with which the performance met–which was quite hearty–may be taken as a tribute to the splendid efforts of the conductor and his band.

     The "Husitzka" overture of Dvorak, on the other hand, was a veritable joy. [... die weiteren Programmnummern, die Solistin ...].

     The program will be repeated tonight.    J. H. T." (**).

 

Ein Konzertbericht erscheint auch im Täglichen Cincinnatier Volksblatt Nr. 296 auf S. 2:

"                   Symphoniekonzert.

     Das Andenken des großen, vor wenigen Tagen [am 5.12.1915] verstorbenen Dirigenten Dr. Hans Richter wurde gelegentlich des gestrigen Symphoniekonzertes gefeiert. Dr. Kunwald ließ,wie er in einer kurzen Ansprache ankündigte, den Adagio Satz der Bruckner'schen E Dur Symphonie, die als Hauptnummer auf dem Programm stand, zu Ehren Dr. Richters aufführen und diese sinnige Ehrung fand seitens des Publikums auch die vollste Würdigung.

     Im Uebrigen erzielte die Bruckner'sche Symphonie einen knappen Achtungserfolg. Bruckner'sche Musik ist eben nicht jedermanns Sache und nun gar die E Dur Symphonie, die wohl verschiedene sehr schöne Momente [hat], in erster Linie das Adagio, aber im Großen und Ganzen begegnet man auf Schritt und Tritt alten Bekannten, während von Originalität herzlich wenig zu verspüren ist. Die Aufführung ließ selbstredend unter Dr. Kunwalds glänzender Leitung auch nicht das Geringste zu wünschen übrig.     Ausgezeichnet bewährte sich Orchester noch in zwei kleineren Aufgaben, [... Dvorak, Cherubini ... Julia Culp ...].     Das Programm wird wie üblich am heutigen Abend zur Wiederholung gelangen." (***).