Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1890-09-26
THAT DOUBLE CONCERT.
Mr.. Neale Explains Why He Believes
Would be a Failure.

Mr.. Neale Explains Why He Believes 1t
Would be Failure.
EDS. RECORD UNION: hope you will
favor me with little of your valuable
space, that may explain my action in the
matter of the proposed double band con-
cert. gave as my reason that the concert
would not be successful, owing to pre-
ponderance of brass instruments in the
makeup of the band. A Member of the
Hussar Band doubts this and insinuates
that / know better. l will show that the
result would be as / said. A band com.
posed of members of both bands would
number about forty-two members-Dot
more, unless we robbed the public. On
figuring up the Instrumentation of such
band, found that in forty-two members
there would be no flute nor piccolo, instead
of one each. l knew that two of the reed
section of the Hussar Band were in San
Francisco, and that they only had one
clarionet and one saxaphone player worth
their salary.
/ knew that we were very little better off,
owing to previous engagements and found
our clarinet section might, if we were
fortunate, number FIVE men, while it
should, in only forty.two men, number at
least thirteen, at low estimate land all of
them first class. ] found we should have
eight comets, while only five were desired;
six altos, while we only needed four; at
least three baritones and four bassos and
four drums, making what circus man
would call "a wonderful aggregation of
stupendous brassiness," never before
equaled.
| wish Sacramento musicians to appear
to advantage, but if we were to play with
that combination, after Liberati's Band,
with his almost complete reed section, peo-
pie would wonder why they had been
fooled so long; and we should have SUIT
fered by the comparison. Consequently,
band of twenty-five, with proper instru-
mentation, can furnish better music than
such band as we would have had.
Since the alleged member will have
the whole truth, though the heavens fall,
l will say that l knew l could furnish
twenty-five men with proper instrumental
zion, and did not propose to I'LL up with
men-some very good, and some no good
Just to play with big crowd. | did
know the Hussars were short-handed, and
felt that they should contribute their share
of the musicians, If they were to share in
the glory. A band could be formed in this
city with some of the members of both
bands, and little outside help, that could
furnish just as much music, and as good,
as the first-class band of Libersti, but not
with such combination as We have made.
1t would be better if the concerts were
not given to any band, but to committee
and band formed of thirty-two pieces
Ia full band), and of picked musicians,
even if only one concerto week were given.
Then no engagements could interfere,
whereas, now band is often crippled at
the last moment because one important
instrument is obliged to be away.
l would suggest that a stand similar to
the one in Golden Gate Park be built in
the center of the Capitol Park, and rustic
benches distributed around for people to
sit upon The drives are amply large for
all the vehicles that attend. The present
arrangement is very bad, not only for the
acoustics, but because of inconvenience,
insufficient light, narrow accommodations,
etc. A band dare not play large selec-
ton there, for fear of breaking down,
owing to the music blowing away or the
bugs carrying it Oft.
At the Pavilion the same kind of stand
Ito act as sounding board) should be
placed at the extreme end Of the north
wing, and chairs placed for the audience as
in theater. The wing could still be used
% oil d1t SdliciyI AOfClS VI uolC
could sit and enjoy the selections removed
from the annoyances Of the overall makers,
the candy man and the pumps. With
such an arrangement as this thirty men
would furnish fine music, whereas forty
six is not enough down stairs.
In his band of forty-siX men Liberat
had, as near as | can remember-and | be-
lieve as printed in the RECORD UNIoN-one
flute, one piccolo, E flat clarinet, eight B
flat clarinets, one oDOe, two bassoons, four
saxsphones one bass clarinet, three French
horns always counted as reed quality,
complement of twenty-five, or nearly half
the band, being reed and of the most
necessary instruments in a band-repre-
senting the viollns and cellos in an orches-
ira.
If 1.-The member" would like it, | will
publish the name of every man IN both
bands and their Instruments and leave the
public to judge; but he won't it.
G. A. NEALE.