Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1882-12-03


THE Mozart Society desiring to afford the
citizens of Memphis the very best guarantee
of its usefulness as an agency in the advance
ment of music and musical culture, proposes
if properly encouraged, to give three con-
certs with 1homas's renowned orchestra late
in April of next year. These concerts would
be too costly if coufued 10 the Theater or
the GreeDlaw Operahouse; it has therefore
been suggested that they be given in the Ek-
position Building, which may, at compar-
atiYely slight cos', be put 10 order and be
made even inviting for so suspicious an
occasion. TO Justify the Society in an
undertaking 80 unusual, the people
ought TO respond literally to any call
that may b. made upon them. The ex-
peuss will necessarily be very great, but it
will not be more than concerts so exception
ally excellent will justify. The performances,
as they have been talked over, embrace
Mendelssohn's Eiijah an oratosio which shares
with the Messiah of Handel, and the Creation
of Hayden, the highest place among the
greatest of sacred musical compositions. The
Mozarls will furnish q well-trained and
thoroughly drilled chorus OF 125 voices and
Thomas The sooists and the orcht s,ra.
Hitherto the great leader, whose fame has
reached to all parts OF the world where music
is cherished as the civilizer it lie, has not ven-
tured upon work so difficult as This outside
OF New York, Boston or Cincinnati, and he
could not be prevailed upon to attempt it here
were it not for the conf ience he has ia Prof.
Downs, the leader Of the Moz IRIS. But be-
sides the Etydh, which has never been at
tempted in Memphis, other works only less
in length, but of equal value in their class,
will be given, 50 that there will be an entire
change of programme each evening, unless
the desire of the public shall be equal to
the repetition OF the mssterwork of COM
poser who is enthroned among the i'm
mortals. An opportunity like this, by
which Memphis may be able to take
her place among the musical cities OF the
country should not be lost. Our citizens owe
it to themselves 10 take it, that they may
the possession of TO much of the best vocal
material; and the Mozarts owe it to them
selves to embrace it, to prove what they can
do as musical organization ambitious to
stand with the justly renowned choruses OF
New York, Cincinnati and Boston. There is
but one Thomas. No leader of our time in
Europe or America SO completely and mas
terfuIly combines all the essentials OF a great
conductor-love OF his art, perfect technical
ability, ambition TO excel, soul-knowledge of
the great composers, unerring judgment. and a
never-failiDg ear for ensemble. He has never
encountered work too profound for his skill
and has never failed 10 penetrate the motif
of the great composers whose m usic alone he
produces. He goes directly to the soul oil
everything and interprets the trdumeri with
weird and heart-rending pathos while
to the Elijah be brings effects to
realize the heaven=mouning grandeur
with which the name itself is in
vested. He does not play TO please. de
keeps the highest nights OF his profession
always in view and attempts nothing thai
will degrade it. 1t is not what the mass o.
men may say but what is best that guides
him in all that he does. Simple, plain anC
quiet in his methods, he nevertheless carries
conviction OF maslerful power ant
certainty of knowledge to his auil
ences, az he has impressed his orchestri
and always impresses ehoruses with hi
ability TO do all that may come to him will
technical accuracy that is pervaded by
warm, yet subtle, poetic feeling. 1t Is Inn
master of an art the most profound that en-
thralls the greatest mental organisms, that
the Mozart Society is anxious TO bring here
and under him 10 venture upon The Ely"
Ii they succeed, it will be an event IN the
life OF the city of which her peo
pie may forever feel proud. The Az
PEAL invites the consideration OF thi
laudably ambitious undertaking by IN
people. Ii it is accomplished, it wi
signalize Memphis as a place OF note amor
the musical communities OF the country.
thus appeals to their pride and patriotism
In these qualities we have the fullest conf
dence. We, therefore, feel safe in sugges
ing that the Mozart Society may go o
and complete the necessary arrang'
menls for the three concerts. Thomss, whe
he was here before, had three croWdet
houses, Notwithstanding he rigidIy adhere
to his rule and gave nothing but severely clai
sic programmes. The same will be the cas-
sholld he appear here in April. The pee
pie, prompted by The innate love OF the higl
est ar, which, with the love ef the beautie
OF nature, dwells in every heart, will flock I
hear the orchestra whose technical perfe,
tion ia the wonder of musicians. and h:
challenged the admiriug plaudits and almo
affection OF music-loviug people wherever
has been heard.
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