“All this was, however, to be expected. Every one present who is in and of the new movement, which started off with such flying colors, knew the limitations and accepted them in the right spirit. With this said and understood one can speak enthusiastically of the really amazing results obtained by Herr Scheel in so short a time. There were moments when the orchestra played with a brilliancy and dash and with a finish that was completely satisfying. Herr Scheel’s dynamic range is extensive, his palette of color is rich and his contrasts are striking and yet fully in the spirit of the work. The orchestra was particularly effective in the Goldmark overture, in the “Entry of the gods into Walhalla” and in the Weber music. Weingartner, instead of paraphrasing the famous “Invitation to the Dance” rondo for the ballet, as Berlioz did, has written what is really a brilliant open-air concert version which taxes the full orchestra, and which Herr Scheel carried out in splendid spirit, giving a chance for all the choirs to do their best, the harp coming in for some crisp work that was very brilliantly done. All these three highly colored numbers were set off against the more trying classical demands of the Fifth Symphony. It the reading it received revealed the individual weaknesses of the orchestra as now made up, it was at least a revelation of the great advance the band has made. There was decision and emphasis and grace in phrasing and a keen discrimination in the shading. If Herr Scheel had his view of the traditional tempi the final effect was to reveal the work in its noble proportions and to make every one feel the true import of this great masterpiece. “AUDIENCE ENTHUSIASTIC * * * * * “The enthusiasm of the audience was most unrestrained and generous. It was marked at the close of the symphony and fairly overwhelmed Gabrilowitsch, and this, with the splendid turnout from top to bottom, was a tribute to the committee and the guarantors who made the concert possible.” The first venture having been successfully concluded, business matters were attended to by issuing the first call of the Philadelphia Orchestra to the guarantors, combined with which was the announcement of the formation of The Philadelphia Orchestra Association, on May 17th, 1901, with the following officers and directors: _President_ ALEXANDER VAN RENSSELAER _Vice-president_ F. T. SULLY DARLEY _Secretary_ JOHN H. INGHAM _Treasurer_ HENRY WHELEN, JR.