The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1893-06-25
IN THE REALM Oh MUSIC.
Mr.. Stephens Warmly Welcomed
by the Chicago Musicians. !.
WORK OF THE APOLLO CLUB.
An Ineffective Chorus, Under the Di-
rection of Theodore Thomas.
The Tabernacle Choir Rehearsals-sIu-
steal Events of the Week-An Organ
Recital in Honor of Mr.. Ar
nold--Musical Gossip.

TheIwarm welcome predicted for Pro-
lessor Stephens and the tabernacle choir
in Chicago was heralded by the profess
SORTS reception there during his recent
visit, from which he arrived home yes
terday. No sooner was his arrival at
Chicago learned by member of the
tCymrodorion Society," having the
great choral contest in charge, than it
was telephoned to the other members OF
the committee, and in less than an hour
the home of Mrs. Griffith was the scene OF
warm greetings and handshakings,
and Professors @. P. Madoc, E,
|G. Lloyd, Owen and others
escorted him to the fair grounds where
they viewed the Festival hall together,
and in every way aided Mr.. Stephens IN
gaining the information he went there to
seek. While he and Mr.. Ensign made
their headquarters at the Iowa Column
bian hotel, the residence of Mrs. E.
Griffith was made a veritable home to
them. Rev. DR.. Rowland was also kind
ness itself to the Utah representatives
during their brief stay. Before their de-
parture Monday night an informal re-
ception was given them at the CymrodO-
rion hall, where the representative
Welsh ladies and gentlemen of Chicago
met to form a mutual acquaintance
with their countryman from the
Mormon metropolis. Stirring speeches
of welcome were made by Chairman Sam
uel Job. Attorney d. V. Samuels and
others, assuring Professor Stephens as
hearty greeting for his noted choir as
for himslf, by his countrymen in Chi
cago.
Mr.. Stephens replied as well as he could
under the surprise and embarrassment OF
finding himself the lion of the hour,
stating that should the visit of the choir
reflect credit either upon Utah or him.
self and through him the Welsh nation of
whom he is proud to be counted one, the
thanks will be first of all due lathe GYM
| rodorion society of Chicago, but for
whose special messengers coming all the
way to Utah to press their Kind invita-
ton, given over two years previously by
letter, the choir never would have had
the pleasure of making the visit now
looked forward to with so much pleasant
anticipation.
After this the lady member of the COM
mittee to Utah, Mrs. Griffith, reported
their visit to Salt Lake city, and spoke
with enthusiasm of the kind treatment
received. Rev. DR.. Rowlands also made
similar remarks in his elegant and happy
style. Two of Chicago's fair sopranos
and our own Ensign was introduced as
member of the ''great choir and sang
1.-THE Old Guard.'' 1t received tremen-
dous encore and he had to sing again,
this time singing 1.-THE Storm Fiend."
1t was all so hearty, SO unaffected, that
Mr.. Stephens declares that whatever
dread he may have HAD of taking his
choir out into the strange world among
strangers, has entirely vanished, and he
looks forward to his September journey
as time to regain many warm friends.
The fair, he says, is too glorious TO find
words to express his delight at it. Beau
tiful, magnificent, etc., are all too tame.
He heard Thomas orchessra, OF course,
and was delighted. He also speaks loudly
in praise of sousa's band. The best OF
other bands are nowhere near it. He also
heard the Apollo club and Thomas or
chestra, with Lloyd the great tenor,
and other eminent soloists render
ing Bach'5 immortal s'PasFion
Music.D He is charmed with
Lloyd, and much pleased with Mr.
Holmes, a baritone who sang the part Of
Jesus. While speaking in the highest
terms OF the quality of tone of the Ap.
ollol club, their attack was very poor.
Much OF the blame for this he places on
Theodore Thomas, who did not seem in
en- rapport with the chorus, the orchestra
only being his idol.
He gays: 81 could not blame him SO
much for this, as his sympathy is natur-
ally with that which he has done SO much
to elevate and bring 20 such splendid per-
lection. But there was masteyWork
here entrusted to his care, and the ef-
fective work OF the chorus was demanded
to properly interpret it. His sympathy
and interest should have been evenly di-
vided throughout the forces Interpreting
the work, and consider the lack OF this
! ruined the effect Of the whole.
''How an artist who must realize SO
'-7t My as Thomas what propsr rem
d ION OF a great work should he.
s1old endure to have his chorus iail 10
attack as his chorrs did, is beyond ny
comprehension, but could see no sigas
of concern on his part when some short
choruses would be half through before all
were in working order 1t was evident
to me that this would not have been fer
q moment permitted had Mr.. TomIins-
their regular conductor-been in charge
OF them. ~
WORK OF THE CHOIR.
The Tabernacle choir are laboring upon
three competitive Worlds fair chorusss
The rehearsals will be continued with
renewed vigor under Prof. Stephens di-
rection. The professor is perfectly sat
! isfied with his brief eastern visit, having
accomplished his OBJECT, that OF viewing
the premises and the method adopted by
the committee OF seating the competitors
Having informed himself upon these
matters, the only object now is to pre-
pare the choir in the lights and shades OF
phrasing. To further this object the re-
hearsals hereafter will be with piano &C.
COMPARTMENT only. Arrangements are
also being made for series of three con-
certs, which will be given st Saitair pre-
iyous TO the choir's pilgrimage east. The
extra rehearsal last evening and that SCI
for this evening are test rehearsals, The
object being to select tie $50 members
that will comprise the competitive choir
at the Worlds fair. These go will bt
notified Of their selection. They viii
meet Tuesday and Friday evenings O
this week.
Recital in Honor of ArYoId.
m Ornar reo;tol xroc cv;,,a,> h., Dat