The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-05-08
INFLUENCE OF THE FESTIVAL.
Signs of the Times That Indicate the
Impetus Given VIII Not Be Lost.

Memphis now but baseball, with a win
ming team. This is satisfying to hundreds
of the good citizens, but they keenly rel
ished the dedication of the music festival.
II is stated that the pleasures were mutual,
and that Manager Blakely, of the Gilmore
band, submitted proposition for brief
return engagement two weeks hence. Mr..
Levy thought the better policy would be
to allow year to elapse, when regular
engagement Of even greater length than
the one lately closed could be made with
greater advantage to all parties. There is no
doubt that musical tastes and de-
sires were greatly stimulated and
elevated by the visit OF the Gilmore
band. The accomplished leader struck
bedrock facts very aptly in brief ex-
PLANTATION for changing number or two in
Sundays program. He did not agree with
those who desired regular Manhattan
Beach program for Sunday in this city.
The northern and eastern people had en-
joyed superior musical advantages over
their southern brethren, and were educated
up to higher and broader plane. While
such compositions as "The Patrol OF the
Owls Club, Echoes from the Barn
yard" and Marching Home at 3 O'clock
in the Morning" thrown in as spice, would
set the multitudinous audiences there in a
furore of hilarity, the southern people,
as a rule, would be shocked and driven
completely away. Mr.. Gilmore did
not attempt 10 pass judgment upon
either OF these conditions. He only knew
they existed, and he felt it his duty to en-
terrain those who had paid to hear him,
always striving, however. TO elevate and
inspire To noble thoughts and exalted APP
probation OF music as the divinestof arts.
Mr.. Gilmore did not believe that avarage
audiences, no matter in which part OF the
country assembled, would relish pro-
gram composed OF only the heavy SYM
phonies and other classical music. While
few OF these judiciously arranged in a
program were essentially incumbent upon
all who loved music for music's sake and
served the masses ms cxponents, they could
not be INDUCED exclusively. Those who
had the temerity TO essay this line courtcd
risk 10 find themselves wards OF
public charity. His estimate OF the
average number in each and any audience
that would really understand and en-
Joy the classics, was per cent. The
lccturer-leader then announced that he
would take the liberty TO crafty this per
cent, and substitute one OF Beethoven
symphonies for a lighter number and one
inappropriate 10 the Sabbath day. The
result was perhaps a surprise TO Mr.. Gil.
more, for the audience applauded raptur.
.,,a1.y rutaetaI 10 thfa mt md ktstaalt a,
discontinued, the classics will reach the
popular heart Of the southern people as
sensibly as that Of their moro favored
brethren.
Mr.. Gilmore Is eminently people,
director. Coming TO this country When
but nineteen years Of age, fresh from a six
years career under exacting English drill
masters, he was installed as leader in Q
vacancy caused by the death OF Boston
band director. He accepted the charge
with great deal Of trepidation, but thor.
oughly imbued with the spirit OF deter
mination. His foreign trimming stood hin
in good stead, and no one has yet ques
toned the wisdom that prompted his Sc
lection. This was thirty years ago, and
Mr.. Gilmore has continued in In,
service, always at the head o
n superior combination. Naturally, he mus
possess broad mind, susceptible OF Other
impressions than those OF musical nature
and this has been turned TO account as {
Judge of men and signs. II doesn't TAX,
him fortnight 10 estimate the caliber ant
tastes OF his hearers, and rarely is he dc
cieved. That he easily diagnosed hi
audiences in Memphis, is fully attested b,
the daily increasing crowds and warming
interest
There is something really encouragin,
In the results OF the festival. From
financial view, the success was not over
whelmng, yet Mr.. Levy will be able {,
square accounts and add few dollars Il
| his bank account. II Is 20 be regretted
that the profits realized were not doubled
or trcblcd, M the professors heroism an,
energy were the sort Of stuff that tend
| 10 build up and expand the refinement O
a people. Yet only words Of qualification
have been heard TO fall from his lips; h'
instituted pioneer movement II
| the face OF the grayest doubts
and ON scale OF liability abso
lutcly dangerous 20 his already accumu
lated earnings. The undertaking wa
more for future reward than immediate re
suits. II is In this fact that lies the creates
reason for congratulation by the public
When music once obtains firm foothold II
the human soul, long period Of famine II
the art is necessary 10 eradicate IL On
year will not do Il, and that IL about tn
limit OF It's continuance here, hcncefortl
and forever. The city is growing, physi
cally and mentally Increased population
and capital are not the only flatterin
4 Il H.. net..l.N aud I.uNNtlt
| pictures OF constantly advancing apprccin
ton Of the arts and sciences may he seen OF
every hand. Under the impetus give
the latter elements OF higher civilization
by such sterling affairs rs the festival jus
closed there can 10 no adequate csiimat
OF their advancement in the near future.
There was some dsappointmonto over th
absence Of vocal features In Saturday after
Moons concerts. Numbers Of cultivate
parents. with daughters In the intercstin
age Of teens, In whom the love for an M
Outstanding OF music was being insiilled
attended Tor that feature equally with th
instrumental. They could not we'll tax
advantage OF the evening performances
and carclcssly failed 10 observe the widel
published program arrangement for Satul
day afternoon. This relieves the manage
ment from even the slightest censurc, bu
fails TO case tho disappointment III
parental ambition was indeed laudabl
one. II Is seldom that such an opportt
nifty TO study methods and possibil
ties Of vocal execution has been a
forded tho people Of Memphis
The prima donna, Mrs. Tanner, an
Signorina Carlotta excmpliiicd these a
tainments In AN eminent degree. The To-
mcr enjoyed an advantage OF long expcr
ence and consequent maturity, carryin