Pierian Review by Prof. Spalding

In its annual concert of this season the Pierian Sodality Orchestra has set a new standard of attainment, for in the essentials of technique and artistic proficiency,--precision of attack, regard for shading, and euphony between the sections of the orchestra, the performance was the best the writer has ever heard from a college organization. In the Unfinished Symphony, notwithstanding a few slight blemishes, which may readily be condoned when we remember that a flawless rendering of this delicately scored work is expected only from a few orchestras in the world, the conception of the conductor was one of thorough insight, and the playing of the men most creditable for its union of enthusiastic spirit with much genuine artistic finish and restraint. To vary the program, three pianoforte solos, beautiful and well-known pieces of Chopin, were performed by Mr. Moeldner '13, a pupil of Madame Hopekirk. Although in the first piece the left hand portion was a bit heavy, the Nocturne was played with real poetic feeling, and throughout Mr. Moeldner preserved a singing tone, showed an easy command of the keyboard, and, in the difficult Polonaise, unusual brayura. Following a recently adopted and praiseworthy policy of the Sodality, an original piece by an undergraduate was given--a Scherzo by C. B. Roepper '10, in which the composer makes a clever and genial use of modern effects in rhythm and tone color, giving promise of distinct ability in creative work.

Mr. Clifton, the conductor, is to be warmly congratulated for the convincing results of his painstaking and inspiring training. The whole performance had an appearance of genuine artistic endeavor. The men succeeded in playing good music with a high degree of effectiveness, and, as all art is an approximation to an ideal, no higher praise can be given.