The Sunday herald and weekly national intelligencer., 1891-11-22
IN MUSICAL CIRCLES.

The musical event OF the past week was the
FIRST concert Of this, the third season, of the
Washington Musical Club-Messrs Xauder,
Rakemsnn, Miersch and Morsell-on Wednes.
day evening at the Universalist Church. One
of the most pleasing OF duties for the critic is
to write up performance by local talent of
which nothing but praise can be truthfully
said In this instance the selections were so
we'll chosen and admirably rendered that the
whole concert was satisfying In the highest de-
gree. The young mon composing this organ
izstion have labored untiringly during the
past two years in their efforts to popularize
classical recitals and it must have been highly
gratifying to them to have opened their sea-
son before an audience made up OF the repre-
sentative music lovers Of this city, who re-
ceived each number on the programme
with the heartiest demonstration of sp-
proval The concerted pieces selected
by Messrs. Wander (piano), Rakemann
(violin), and Mierscb ccello), were a trio by
Rubenstein (No. l in F msior), Gounod's
"D'un occur qui t'dime," and the charming
and suddenly-become popular "Intermezzo
sinfonico" from "Cavalleris Rusticana.n In
their rendition a marked improvement was
noticeable over the work of last year-partic-
ularly in precision and freedom in attack and
delicacy in the pianssmo passages. These
points were almost faultlessly given and show
the result Of much and careful rehearsal.
In the intermezzo the club was assisted by
Mr.. E. II. Droop, who ably presided at the
organ. The club was fortunate in securing
for its initial performance the assistance of
Mrs Julia K. Wyman, OF Boston, who con-
tributed to the programme Liszt's "Loreley,n
cat Twilight" i" by Nevin, and "The Hearts
Fancies,' by Goring-Thomas. Her voice is
mezzo-soprano Of power and sweetness, and
her singing is constant source of delight to
the hearsr, so entirely natural and unaffected
is her articulation and phrasing. Her inter-
probation of cat Twilight" plaintively
beautiful little song, was especially artistic.
For an encore she sang in French "The
Kings Daughters" oy Augusta Holmes. Mr..
Paul Miersch's solo numbers were eSur le
Lac" by GODDARD, and "Air Ongrois," by
Hauser-Fischer, and he fully sustained his
reputation as violoncellist of the first rank.
His work was enthusiastically applsuded, but
he modestly declined an encore. Mr.. Hern-
don Morsells voice shows the beneficial eff
fects Of a seasons comparative rest, and was
as sweet and under as good control as in
former years. His three songs were of widely
differing sentiment, and he Interpreted them
gracefully and artistically. Mr.. Herman
Rakemann played Hollaender's concert-polo-
naise for the violin In his usual smooth and
finished manner, and for an encore gave a
charming little "Slumber Song" Of his own
composition which capttvated the audience.
Mr.. Henry Xander played all Of the accompa-
niments during the evening, and played them
'excellently. 1t is to be regretted that the ne
cessity OF his appearing SO many times madeit
impossible for him to contribute solo num-
Der. Altogether the concert was highly cred
liable to the club, and the club proved itself
to be credit to the city. The next concert
will be given in January next.
Mr.. Ernest Szemelenyi, the local director
of the Choral Society, has been confined to
his bed during the past week by severe at
tack of infiammatory rheumatism, and the
rehearsal on Tuesday evening was conducted
by Mr.. II. M. Paul. member of the society.
This statement of the nature of Mr.. Scene
lenyi's illness is made because many might
otherwise infer that he was suffering from
nervous prostration consequent upon the
shock sustained in contemplation of the por-
trait which appeared over his name in last
Sundays Post.
Miss Leonora Won Stosch, the talented
young violinist Of this city, is to play at the
second Cecilia concert at Boston this season.
Mr.. Walter Damrosch is expected to be
present at the rehearsal of the Choral Society
next week.
Mr.. E. l.. Holmes, who has been closely
identified with local music for space of
twenty years at least, and is known to every
musician in the city, by virtue of his former
leadership Of the Franz Abt Club and various
church choirs, has resigned the position he
has so long held in the Office of Internal Rev
enue, Treasury Department, to devote his en-
tire attention to his mercantile business.
The music at the vesper service at st. Paul's
Church this afternoon will be unusually inter
esting, Mrs. Kitty Thompson Berry, Miss
Marguerite Eichorn, the Schubert Quartette,
and others are to reinforce the regular choir
Rosewig's vespers will be sung and the parties
named will contribute solo numbers.
DR.. Bischof is just completing arrangements
for his annual concert course to be given at
the Congregational Church during the present
season. BE has engaged eminent local talent
to assist at these performances and the work
of DR.. Bischoff is too we'll and faVorsbly known
to need any comment. He has also secured
the services OF the Washington Musical Club
to assist in one concert which will be an ad-
tional attraction to this already popular series.
The series of entertainments given during
the past week at Willard Hall for the benefit
OF destitute ex-Confederate veterans, was
completely successful artistieally and fnan-
clally. 1t was pleasing to observe in the
audiences the faces of many war-searred vet
erans-men who had fought against the very
ones they were now assisting by their pres
ence. The entertainments were In the charge
OF the Womans Auxiliary Ex-Confederate
Aid Society, and that their appeal for aid was
generously responded to on the part of our
local artists is evidenced by the long list OF
those who contributed to the success of the
enterprise. Undoubtedly the greatest sue
cesses were achieved by Miss Amy Hare
and Mr.. Leo Wheat, pianists Mrs Kitty