The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1893-05-24
Liuuidity in Musical Crittcism.

Liqutdity in Mustcal Criticism.
A new genius has burst upon IndisnapO-
lis his first appearance being in the guise
of musical critic. As the criticism was.
unfortunately. hidden from the world in
the obscure columns of the Sentinel, 1t
seems only right that publicity should be
given its best points by the Journal The
author of this literary gem evidently drew
degree of inspiration from some outside
source before entering the concert hall on
Monday night, for his first words speak
mind in tune with all aesthetic things. 1t
was "a heavenly night" he says with
mixture Of yellow moonlight melIowing
each flower and tree. soft zephyrs and
Italian skies with incense rising from the
bursting buds of May, all making up a
combination of nature to lend enohant-
ment to the musical scene with its galaxy
of great artists who graced the occasion"
There was magnificent audience, he says,
land q most brilliant and appreciative as
semblage" this apparent repetition of idea
showing that he drew fine distinction be-
tween the people who came to hear and the
other people who merely made up the
crowd. The tout ensemble of the chorus
pleased him. 1.-The fresh fair faces of each
singer rising like flower from out the
leafy verdnre." With the first mum bers by
the chorus his receptive soul entered into
perfect harmony with the occasion. The
clear. pure tones" seemed to him ito be ever
unfolding new delights of idealized sound,
awakening q sympathetic and responsive
chord in every heart that heark-
ened thereunto" Incidentally he
drops nugget of information
into the foam of his rhapsodles. THE
choruses long sustained" he announces.
have broad themes spreading far and
wide and sometimes run together. like q
chain of mountains. each successive one
being of loftier altitude than its predeces-
sor."
With Miss Reid he is enchanted, and il
glad that Indianapolis people testified by
their applause their ardent appreciation of
her almost supernatural talents How
gracefully sweet" he twitters. "how like
the fair Titania of Shakspsre's fairy crea-
tion she seemed In her gossamer gown of
turquoise blue. with the crimson roses nest
ling lovingly in her jetty hair The deli
cacy and daintiness of her singing reminds
one of o sweet bit of harmonic frosting."
With Mr.. Schliewen. also, he is en- amored:
his is no petty soul that can do Justice to
but one artist at q time. Schliewen's ad-
agio, he thinks. was simply divine. and In
its beautiful caaenzas seemed like the echo
of those angel voices in the starry heav-
emily chorus. The depths of feeling he dis
played is truly remark able, and his dreamy
expression bespeaks q soul perfectly Obliv-
hn
beautifully smooth, and the little delicate
notes he drew therefrom seemed, like tiny
birds darting hither and thither into the
deeps of the forest"
But it was when he reached Nordica that
his inspiration rose to its very highest
pitch. and the wheels In his head went
round with o whirr. Her pure, clear
voice fell on the ear Ibis earl like the liquid
notes of the nightingale. Every solo
seemed q most beautiful tone painting
with here and there o shadow. sort of
chiars oscuro blending the sparkling with
the subli me. How deftly interwoven was
every golden note into her divine singing.
She is great cantatrice. Her voice is an
ideal one. Her trills and chromatio
scales. magnificent runs reminded one of
tie mountain cascades. so clear and crystal
seemed her dripping music with ITS volume
of golden notes. The world has produced
few as great as Nordics. Her voice is bean.
tifully finished and flexible, and she sings
with delightful fnesse and intense vervc.
which In these days of musical lethargy is
a veritable revelation. Into the volume of
the chorus her pure and silvery soprano
poured Its sweet floods to swell the liquid
streams. just such floods of rare light Is
one observes upon the grey sea beach of
Telbas girtinG tho salt-wsshed Neptune"
1t will be noticed that in the SMILES used
in this passage there is liquidity, so to
speak. which might suggest to the
suspicious mind the primary source
of his enthusiasm, but he drifts
away from these gurgling. drip
ping thoughts into another strain.
Her sweet. bird-like carols seem to him Ito
float momentarily into the space that sepa-
rates earth from heaven, then creeps an
awful shadow over the sunshine in
musical minor chord; then mellow. mourn
full strains smite the ear like the venge-
ance of God and the heart Is swept away
on the irresistible song-tide of sorrows
oblivion: sweet. sweet music that 'knits up
the raveled sleeve of care She creates
poetry in her conception of every part che
sings and her pure vocal style is supple
mented by all the fine poetical beauty of
dramatic action. Her voce di petto in tona-
tions were perfect as were also her vose di
tesla"
Summing mp. he says tho choruses were
glorious and the selections from "Lohen-
grin" nonpnreil. whatever that may mean.
and las the listener strolls home beneath
the starlight of the sweet. rosy night. reel
ing from the effects of the sweetness of so
much delirious joy. he feels more than re-
paid for the rich treat he has enjoyed"
Again the question intrudes itself upon tho
cold, unsympathetic mind. WAS the delir-
Jun caused by the musics'
There is more than q column Of this. end
ing with grand finale which leaves the
reader who has but q limited musical vo-
| cabulsry only breath enough with which
| to ejaculate Gee Whit"
| Its but just to say that the Sentinel hss.