Telegram-herald. ([Grand Rapids, Mich.) 18??-1892, 1891-04-17
MUSICAL MARINES
xlICHLESS BAND ORcAsIllrl0y
Uader the Direction of NJ. Joha rhifip
soasa-Ihs Exciting Mssteai DescriP-
siea of ben hur's 6Acs-Alls.
Deoca's CoatEieotssAs

Uncle Sans baud drew . fine audi
ence 10 Hartman's Hall. last night. and
every number on the program was re-
demanded. John Philip SousA Is =
director that can be understood among
his associates without any resort to
Wild gesiiculatson or torch-light tactics
Every member is q trained musician.
Encores were frequent and generously
recognized. Marie Decca. the soprano,
has sndeed = marvellous voice, and
the audience last night went into
raptures over her two numbers, doub-
ling them by rapturous app ause.
Every assignment to the Marine Band
was appiauded TO that extent that en-
cores were unavoidable. Ii the band
can again win executive clemency neys
year, they viii include Grand Rapids
IN their tour outside of Washington.
soasa's Mastery Leadership.
The appearance of 50 men in drees
uniform of red and blue with white and
gold trimmings Is one which appeals TO
the patriotism of the audience. The
entrance OF john Philip Sousa was the
signal Tor applause. In the opening
number, the "Rienzi' overture by
Wagner, the mastery leadership
OF Sousa evInceu itself. He played
upon q vast instrument. as II We're,
the parts OF which responded To ths
movement of his baton. Precision OF
time, prompsness OF attack, and an EVIL
dent knowledge OF the requisite express
sion for any particular passage were
characteristics OF tins number. In con-
certed action this one number demon
strated tire great ability of the Marine
band. The second number. Weber's
imitation of the valse, always a favorlte
with music lovers, WAS rendered with a
delicacy and beauty of expression which
we have never heard surpassed. When
Mr.. Sousa announced that Waiter
Smith, his solo cornetIst, aud q Michi-
gan boy, would render cornet solo the
audience greeted him with an ovation.
Mr.. Smith gave Sullivan's Lost Chord"
IN q very fine manner, the selection re-
curing great taste IN expression.
Decca's Divine Voice.
The fourth number was q soprano
solo, David's ''Perle du Brezl" by Nile.
Decca, with a flute obligato by Henry
Jaeger. Madamoiselle Decca proved 10
be the possessor of a marvelously sweet
and clear voice, which she had under
perfect control. The aria was one which
requires great power and perfect cxecu-
ton, and her rendering OF arpeggio
passages, particularly in the duet move
mcnt with the flute, was very remark
able. Mile. Decca, who is tall and
stately, has q stage presence which 10
worthy her abilities. That master
piece, the "Oyerture to William TELL"
by Ressini, was next rendered by the
band in q mastery manner which did
not suffer by comparison with the per-
formance of the selection by other
great organizations. A lighter number
composed of two short selections, the
"Toreador ct Andalouse" movement
from the "Bsll Costume" hy Rubin
stein, and Funeral March of Marion-
ette" by Gounod, followed
ben Hur's Race.
The seventh number, a symphonic
poem, descriptive of the chariot race in
Ben Hur, and which was composed by
Mr.. Sousa himself, was excellent. The
onward mad rush of the steeds was
very realistic and conveyed the auditors
to the scene of the contest Of Ben Hur
with Messala and his final triumph over
hlm. 1t was heartily applauded. The
Marine band as an organization proved
right to the highest rank. It's con-
certed work was super or 10 that of Gill
morc's band last fall aud on the work of
its sololstsno Judgment should be passed
as the numbers gwen by the band
were all concerted. In the finer pas
sages OF music, shading and expression
the band rs not the equal of GImorc's
organization and IN fact could hardly
be expected TO be. But II pleased tie
audience last night to far greater
degree than Gilmore did when last
here. on which occasion his hand was at
its best. The last numher. 1.-The Star
Spangled Banner" was given IN man.
ner which appealed to the heart of
everyone present and asakened the
spirit of patriotism. 1t is safe to pre-
sumo that no other band renoers thus
A. ~