The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-05-15
MIR. MILLs's NUMBERS.
One Was Out Of Place for Such an
OccasiOn-The Orchestra.


OccasiOn-Fhe Orchestra.
From the time the electric lights above
and at the rear of the platform flashed
their radiance over the assembled chorus
and audience to the grand final flourish of
the cantata Fair Ellen, there a de-
termined effort to enjoy to the utmost the
feast of music prepared. There were scores
of people, who have refrained from many
pleasures in order to attend all the con-
certs. There was nothing that escaped the
music-loving the beauty-loving eye
of the multitude. There was a patriotism in
the opening overture, the Jubilee" from
Won Weber, that stirred the heart in the
beginning The hymn. s"God Save the
Queen" known to this country "Ameri-
ca" closes this old but so often wecohed
composition, and the orchestra, which has
done nothing but accumulate triumphs,
knew how to bring out its best effects. The
applause had scarce died away when the
form of Mr.. Watkin Mills. the basso, who
scored so we'll at the festival last year that
he has not been forgotten in the interval.
appeared in the door at the right, making
his way to the platform The sight of him
was enough and the chorus, followed by the
audience, gave him warm reception. Gain
ing the stars center. the opening strains
Of the Queen of Sheba were played and
the voice sounded the first tones introduce
tory TO the aria which is known She
Alone Charmeth My Sadness" Mr.. Mllss
voice has the same power, certainty and
melodious quality and the perfect enuncia-
tion which is so great charm to his sing
ing. 1t is hardly possible that person in
all that vast hall lost single syllable so
clearly and distinctly is every word uttered.
Mr.. Mills might almost be called bari
tone so much do his upper tones touch that
register and yet he go to the depths
when a composition requires 4. The peo-
pie did not wait long after the last tone
till they should let the singer know how
much he had Charmed them and. after
edge se'i the comp Compliment. Nir. Mills sang with
ing song, lin Deepest Depths" This took
his voice into the lower register and the
people amazed at the close as. he let
full octaves. Then he was surely in the
depths Shouts and Dravos awarded the
artist.
There was a change in the programme for
the next number OF the orchestra. In place
of the Bach numbers there was played the
"Poeme Symphonique-Le Pouet ID DOmphale,'
of Saint-Saens, the work of a composer
who is being better represented at this
festival than he ever has been before; a
composer who. to-day, ranks as one of the
greatest of the time The rich coloring of
the picture which he depicts in sound be-
Instrument. The theme is repeated over and
over again with variety ever increasing in
volume till there comes crash OF the
whole orchestra, which startles with it's
passion and vehemence. From this climax
there is gradual decrescendo till the final
note is lost in the pianissimo of the single
audience gave this the best recognition of
any work yet presented and Mr.. Mollen-
hauer came to the front TO bow for The
work of his
1t was a rare experience for an Indian
apols audience to hear an orchestral work
conducted by its composer. Last night was
one of the rare times. Just after the in
termssion Mr. Arens took the baton and led
the orchestra through the mazes OF his
symphonic fantasia .'LifeS Springtide."
This work. its name indicates. is made
TO represent a life one of youth Mr.. Arens
has wrought a composition Horned on lines
that are muSicianly, and they have SYM
pathetic warmth that lends itself 10 the
inner feeling. Under the direction OF the
composer these details were brought to that
point which he himself knows best will give
their true meaning through the instruments
to the hearers 1t must have been Sratify-
ing to Mr.. Arens to know that the creation
Of his brain was so we'll received. The
tokens of appreciation from chorus and
audience were hearty.
Mr.. Mills was heard a second time in two
other songs. speed my Bark" by Leslie,
and Father OFlynn." by Stanford. Mr..
Mollenhauer played the accompaniments.
They we're well sung. but not so satisfac-
tory with piano as with orchestra At
festival the audience is willing to have Il
response number given with piano, but
real festival number that is down on the
programme does not seem a 8 big and grand
as the occasion demands with only a piano.
There was some expression OF disappoint
ment that Mr.. Mills did not select numbers
more fitting a festival occasion. Father
O'Flynn" is all right as a rollcking comic
song but it was wholly out of place the
programme. This the more noticeable
as the two songs followed Nordica's beauti-
nj Ava Mari