Helena weekly herald. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1867-1900, 1883-06-28
THE THOMAS CONCERTS.


A musical critic discusses at length and
very Interestingly in the Salt Lake Tribune
Of the Thomas concerts. The writer says:
OF course there is the usual complaint,
with respect to the concerts, that the selec-
tions were too classical Tor the popular taste,
and the ightness of the attendance is cited
to back it up as true expression Of public
opinion in Salt Lake. l am willing to ac-
cept that as test, and when looked at closely
and exactly it shows that such is not the
opinion of this town. There were some visi-
tors from neighboring towns and Territories,
but the rival attractions of the Barrett
troupe, quite counterbalanced that There
was an average attendance at the three con-
certs of two thousand each, out of popula-
tion Of 25,000-one twelfth. This would be
equal to an attendance of 100000 in New
$4,000 in Chicago, Of 25, 600 in San Francisco.
The atfectation of knowledge is bad enough.
but from the affectation of ignorance good
Lord deliver us! Those who talk that way
ought to be locked in together and treated
to few hours performance Of Pop goes the
weasel" "Old Dog Tray" Sweet Lilly Dale''
and so on, by an orchestra of accordeons con-
certinas, ,ewsharps and hand-organs On
the same principal they never would have
gone further in books than the popular" ele-
mentary spelling book. 1t is very cheap
criticism to condemn the great musical crea-
tions, exQuisitely performed or sung because
they are above the comprehension of the
street, and people of any culture at all ought
to be ashamed to indulge in it, Because the
Tabernacle will comfortably seat 5000, and
wasn't more than half full, with rival
dramatic performance across the street. in a
town Of $4,000 inhabitants, is pretty slim
basis upon which to assert insensibiity to
the musical poems Of the Masters. There
isn't another town in these United States,
Judging by this test that so gel orally appIe-
ciates them. Expectation regarding them
had been wrought very high. and it was not
disappointed. Professor Theodore Thomas
and his troupe did not disappoint the people
of Salt Lake, and if he stops to consider the
support he received, as compared with the
size of the place, he is not disappointed.
The music. the orchestra, the pianist, the
Vocalists, the conductor, and the chorus-all
were up to the high water mark of excel
lence. There was some familiar music, espe-
cially Saturday afternoon, but it was ali of
the highest class, including 'the music of the
future with its restlessness, endlesness, and
exquisite modulation and l do not wonder
that Thomas, with his perfectly balanced
orchestra OF solo players, each part. no mat
ter with how many pieces, uttered exactly
as with one, and with the precision Of ma
chinery has largely popularized it. l came
nearer envying him than anyone l ever saw,
standing like the magician he is, in the null
tltudinous harmony he invokes living his
life in it. 1t is said, and remember Richard
Grant White contends, that music by itself
cannot be made to tell story. But every
one can understand the orchestral singing
and signing OF the winds, the burst of the
storm, its rage and gradual subsistence, the
invitation to the dance, the pastoral scene,
the plant of love, the wall of sorrow, the
tramp OF marching soldiers, the trumpet call
to battle, the note Of triumph, the wierdness
of desolation and woe don't suppose it is
meant to address the understanding, but to
stir the emotions. Sound has physical ef-
feet as we'll as an emotional, as many animals
plainly show, and this must probably be its
chief charm to those who have not had, OF
have not improved, advantages of musical
culture. To enjoy it to the full it has to be
studied, OF course, the same as anything else
and when it and other branches of artistic
culture are more generally pursued, and
with mere enthusiasm. life will be so much
the richer.
was good. Mis- Thursby's voice is of phenom-
email range, sweetness, and clearness, but her
selections, Mozart's Mia Speranza Adorato
excepted, were of too high character to be
taking, in Salt Lake, or else the house was
too large for her. l know I am on danger
GUS ground, here, but no one is responsible
but myself for any want of appreciation /
confess that l am one of the fools whom 1
have berated above for demanding something
they can understand, in my degree Songs
that consist in the chipperings of bird are
well enough in their way, but something
more ballad-like suits me better. Mia Sper-
ANA Adorato was beautiful song, however,
and exquisitely sung. Miss Thursby was
given most hearty and determined encore,
but she didn't sing again, it was sup
posed because Mr.. Thomas is opposed to it.
The same occurred Saturday evening, but
Mr.. Thomas was immovable. Miss Bell Cole
and Mr.. Remmerz have noble voices, and
the grand style. No doubt, if it were put
to vote, Miss Coles song, 20, Fatima," sung
evening, was the gem of the whole
season. Mrs. Humphrey Allen and Mr..
Hardy are OF the same style as the last two,
but each sang but once. Oratorio singers, l
should call them, and good ones OF the
pianist, Madam Riveking, who appeared but
L
part, it was about the first time ever enjoy
ed that instrument on the stage Generally,
it is more or less musical noise, to me but
this time it was delicious music The tones
were soft, yet round and distinct, as silvery
in sound as ever were heard, and they SEEM
ed to drop like diamonds or pearls from the
fingers; while she appeared to pet
and caress the keys. It is said to be the
inest instrument made, Deckers, and is taken
with the troupe
A Child's Idea of God.
A tiny little fellow in an Eastern city, but
sway on the borders where circuses did not
'ome or procession, and who had never seen
! soldier in full rig, was sent to the door by
lis mother, who heard the bell ring. It was
colonel Sin full regimental. as it was
he day of the Inauguration of the Cover
lor: s tss
Tell your mother. little man, to please
ome to the door moment; want to speak
o herr q
j Charley went up stairs and appeared be-
ore his mother. with the most awe struck
ace. Mamma, there is some one at the
oor wants to see you"
"Who is it, my son? .