The record-union., 1894-01-18
ADJUSTMENTS.

A fine, large and appreciative audience
welcomed the Iowa State Band at the
Metropolitan Theater last night. 1t was
its first appearance in California, and it
has reason to be proud of its reception.
The critical audience was warm in its
commendation, exceedingly profuse with
plaudits and demanded many encores, all
of which were granted. The band con-
sists Of fifty instrumentalists, two direct
orS, MessrS. Phinney and Colby, and
several employees, for the band has con-
siderable property to be handled and
cared for. The concert was charming
one; no one present retired with any
other feeling than that Of thankfulness
that the opportunity had been afforded to
attend. The musicians are skilled,
picked men from large number
of old military band organizations.
The result of this combination of
forces is an exceedingly well-bal-
anced body of instrumentalists. whose
tone is round and powerful, and whose
work is careful and precise. Whatever it
played IT gave with uncommon spirit,
all requisite variety of accent and in ad-
nirable time. A noticeable feature of the
concert was that while the band is so large
and played in very modest-siZed audi
torium, yet there was at no time too
great crash of sound; no loss of melody
in extraordinary volume. On the con-
trary, while strength. fullness, rotundity
were notable, no melodic grace was lost
in tumult of sound. The richness Of
the modulations was as distinct and clear
cut as if the organization was an or
cheStra of one-thlrd the size in which
reed and string predominated. In short,
the Iowa Band includes abundant talent
and unlimited good will. 1t is precise,
sympathetic with the conductors
spirit, and effective in all it does.
That its leadership is in highly COM
petent hands was evident to even the tyro
in music. To the severe training by
these intelligences of the skilled men un-
der command is due that fine spirit of in
depreciation which gave feeling and re-
hnement and warmth, and we might say
color, to all the numbers played. Yet
there is simplicity in the elegance of the
style with the compositions treated by
the players that is most charming. That
is TO say, there appears TO be no effort, no
striving for effect, no attempt TO exercise
exceeding care IN the variety of shading
yet there must be extraordinary care. or
else perfect self-contidence and invulner-
able consciousness OF mastery over the
tasks. The Iowa Band w do not rank by
any means as the greatest of bands
that have visited this city, but
it is 3 great band, a splendid combina-
tion. and equipped with superiority at
many points. The one regret that was
experienced last night was the failure at
any time by band bearing the name
and charter of a State of the first republic,
to give even d strain in parting OF patri-
otic air. 1t owes enough to patriotism
and country to give every one of its con-
certs the benedictlon of a National air.
The programme was well selected, the
chief numbers being Cappfs waltz. La
Belle Adoree''; the overture to William
~ crlo frFNrY
ssSomnambula,n played by Charles Hub
bard, and Suppe's overture, Morning,
Noon and Night" The eighth number
was very happy arrangement of a
march from LA Favorita," by ex-
Mayor Gregory, who has fine musical