Telegram-herald., 1891-05-27
PIANS OF GLAD MELODY
The First Night OF the Orstorio's
Music Festival.
PROVES TO Be OF GREAT BRILLIAyCY
The warxbarg a bronson Band Together
With the soioists. thsras and Director
Morehead Treat Pair sissd Audi
encs 10 Great surprise.

and III lis sound was surrounded by
revelry aud enthusiasm. The people
who nifty years ago predominated
about the site, which IS now known as
Grand Rapids, found occasion for un-
restrained animation and gaiety TO the
urgent beating of tom-toms. In 1t
they discerned the sweet concord OF
sound as did the simple and satisfied
people who long before found insplra.
ton for praise and song IN the striking
OF the simple cyinbal. Here must have
been the rudlments OF sound which
through ages OF heart sympathy and
brain progression has developed INTO
the softest and most thrilling OF all the
finer studies now known 10 an art, and
called music. Comparatively 1t Is now
recognized as one of the sure indlca-
tons of growing and refined clvlliza-
ton. Its presence and growth and IN
huence have long been identified with
Grand Rapids, but harmony and talent
was never massed here rs 1t was last
night AT Hartman Hall, when the
Oratorio Society gave the first program
OF their third annual concert.
An Historic Reminder.
A resident of even five years ago
would have scoffed at the idea that
such talent could be assembled from
those who call this city their home and
the major portion of whom are devoted
TO the ordinary pursuits for main
tenance. But music grows and men
develope. but appreciation is sometimes
slumbering here IN this wlde-awakc
city, and such was true yesterday, for
the hall would have been completely
filled had people known what was tax
ing place. The concert gwen under
the auspices of the Oratorios was an
occasion for surprise. Why? Because
1t showcN a sure and marked develop
ment, and'itreglstereda an epoch which IN
years to come will be reverently looked
back upon as a monumental epoch.
THIS may sound like exaggeration and
fulsome praise, but to the interested
and thoughtful it will seem no more
than just when the fact is announced
that 1t was solely prepared and planned
by home talent.
Indescribabie Harmony.
The evening opened with the assem-
bling upon the stage of the ladies and
gentlemen of the society, and Wurz-
burg & Bronson's band. Mr.. Wurzburg
modcstly stepped upon the directors
platform, and 1T an almost lmpercept-
ible wave of his baton thirty or more
instruments were giving composite
harmonious translation of the inde-
cribable and confusing movements of
the overture which RossiM composed
for his opera, "Semiranide." This is a
sublime composition, probably consid-
cred such for the reason that its rendi-
ton is rarely accomplished by reeds
and brass. Last night Mr.. Wurzburg' s
band played it perfectly. The delicate
shading, the light expressions, were
unanimous In harmony, and the grad
ual crescendos and diminuendo in the
composition were gwen with as accu-
rate precision and regularity as the
rise and fall of the oceans stormy wave.
This was Immediately followed with
Strauss immortal "Blue Danube, +"
the delightful scintillat,ons of its varl-
Gus pleasing melodies which are IN
variably inspiring to the body and soul
of the listeners. IL was heartily ap-
plsuded. Mrs. Katherine l.. Fisk then
sang a soft, short and sweet aria bv
Matte, called "Patria." Her appear
ance soon made it evident that she is
gifted with n nicely modulated contral-
10 which she has under perfect control.
She is particularly happy in her dimin-
ishing tones which are musical and
clearly audible. Her register has n
good range and her voice is powerful
IN volume. Another number was vigor-
ously demanded, but she responded
with an an acknowledgment.
Confidence or the Band.
The band played "Tannhauser." 1t
ia one of those difficult and generally
misunderstood ideas of that somewhat
erratic, thoroughly classical and pro.
found composer Wagner, yet the band
mastered 1t with as much confidence
and success IN execution as they would
an ordinary SIMPLE number. They
then rendered a selection from Bellinis
Sonnambula. A solo on the b
fiat clarinet by w. s. Bronson
being the predominating feature for
the execution of which be was CON-
PEELED to respond to an encore. Mrs.
Fisk again appeared and sang "Sweet
Content" with fine sentiment ard feel
ing. The first part then concluded
with the humorous descriptive selection
called Episode in a Policeman's Llfe,'
the march in which is simply irresisti.
ble.
Haydn's Grand "Creatiop."
The evening concluded with Haydn.
'Creation." IL has been gwen here be.
fore and IS widely known orstorio
Albert III. Morehead came forward
and had TO bow 10 hearty welcome a.
he assumed charge of the orchestra
and the chorus, which was ar.
ranged about him on rising tiers OF
seats. The oratorio, while solemn and
impressive as yet extremely intricate
and varied in many Of It's movements
The chorus which numbered over two
hundred voices must be handled with
great attention and watchfulness There
was indeed . happy understanding be.
tween Il and the orchestra. Mrs. :. G
Ford was the Gabriel and the manner
IN which she presented herself Al once
won favor and friends Her soprano Il
penetrating and yet r1chiy melloved IN
tone. While she had no opportunity
for those excellent onthnrsts which
arouse cheer. IL vas evident that hel
capabilities are extensve. Those who
heard Mrs. Ford last evening were mOsi
generous IN their expression Of approval
and they will want co hear heT
this afternoon and when TIE
selections are such a. are sure 10 ia
fold tue full resources Of her sapeTt
voice. Henry =. STOW sang Jrei. hl'
tenor, while not lacking n strength, 4
especially pleasing for its sweet and
soothing qualities of tone. Arthur
Rensfofd has appeared here before hal
never 90 better advantage than last
evening ss Raphael. A tasso = Away: