The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-10-27
THE SYMPHONY CONCERT
NEW ORCHESTRAL ORGANIZATION is
A GREAT SUCCESS.
It's Work Surprised the Good-Sized
Audience Present Last Night-COn-
ductor Schnefder's Triumph.

There was a rare surprise and rich treat
for those who heard the first concert of
the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra at
the Grand Opera House last night. Few
people in the audience, which was of goodly
proportions, were prepared to expect as
much as they were given. so modestly has
this organization been forming and with so
little advance booming. The work of these
ffty-eight musicians, all except four or five
of them from this city, demonstrated be-
yond doubt that Indianapolis may, within
a year, take rank with Boston. New York
Chicago and one or two other cities of the
country in orchestra productions. The en-
thusiasm of the instrumentalists and their
harmonious working together bespeak a
great deal for the cfty's future in this new
direction.
1t is only few weeks since the first re-
hearsal was held at the German House,
but Mr.. Karl Schneider, the organizer and
conductor has succeeded in gathering
about him fifty of the leading local in
strumentalsts men and young ladies, and
obtaining a control over them that is
little less than remarkable. Mr.. Schneider
has had experience in directing orchestras
in this country and Europe, and his
ability was admirably shown in what
he was able to give the public last evening.
The whole concert was most praiseworthy.
In the first place, the works attempted
were not beyond the powers of the musi-
clans, and each one was given with must
cianly intelligence. The symphony selected
for the initial concert (of what is hoped to
be a permanent crganization) was the
Haydn Symphony No. 2, in d. 1t opens
with a minor adagio, which grows to
allegro. The second movement is
dante of great simplicity and beauty, and
following this is minuetto which is quaint
in It's form and is supposed to be humorous
IN character, Certain 1t is that 1t mas IN
tricacies that make it a fascinating figure.
The finale is spirited, and the bows OF the
yiolinists flew over the strings in airy and
fanciful han monies. The attack was not
always quite perfect, but was very good
at so many points that the slightest
tendency to slowness might readily be
forgiven. There was wave of passages
we'll connected that one might believe that
a company of artists. instead of Impractical
orchestral players, were on the stage.
Ine nrst 500 OF the evening was by Mr..
Hugh McGibeny, concert master of the
orchestra. Mr.. McGibeny is vioiinist pos
sessed of a pure artistic temperament, rare
executive ability and a soul for music that
MAKES t ms paying KING that touches the
His violin in his hands last evening
stamped him as one of the finest, if not
the best, player OF that instrument ever
in the city. His Interpretation of the
."Otello Fantasia" by Ernst, was fine, and
he was recalled four times. The accom-
Bach and ''sereEata'i by Moszkowski were
finish to do them Justice, and they re-.
eeived both. Short and charming, they
Mrs. Carolyn Winter Goetz was in good
quality of her tones were ,eliu admirably
suited to the grand aria Ocean, thou
Monster from 'Oberon." by c. NJ; Won
Weber. The appreciation of the audience
was such that she sang the latter part of
the aria second time.
The Last number of the programme
the American Plantation Dances OPP. 49,
by Maurice Arnold. There are five dances
to which the composer has given names
alegretto ALA polonaise, allegro. moder-
ato-vivaee.'. It is said that Mr.. Arnold,
gested the idea of the plantation dances
and songs to Dyorak as a good, founda-
Dvorak acted on his suggestion in com
posing the famous symphony The New
played last evening. has SEE Selected dsnces
that are characteristic of the southern part
of the United States. He has given them
stroying the original theme, or blurring it
with too many musical decorations. In
garian dances, without being like them.
There is much skill shown IN the selection
and arrangement of the dances. and under
had the opportunity of listening to a good
rendition of what the composer intended
steal public as to whether the dances OF
the negroes of the South may be right
fully accepted as American music or form
the basis of the music which is to stand
as characteristic of the Nation. DIR
Dvorak has started the ball and Mr.
Arnold has followed well in his lead but
whether time will resolve the music into
what is to be known as American music
cannot thus early be decided The music
played last night is purely CHARACTERISTIC
as much so as that of Spain, Hungary or
Scotland, and as far as music is concerned
it was good to know 1t has been written
a treat to hear it and a delight to have it
so well played
The audience was pleased and Mr.
Schneider was pleased with the reception
accorded the first concert. Every number
was most heartily encored, and the director
received a personal ovation. General and
Mrs. Harrison. well as many other we'll
known people, We're patrons of the first
concert. The orchestra promises Well and
the concert last night leads the public to
expect great things of it. When the con-
cert hall of the German Clubhouse is com
peted. the orchestra will be ready to oc-
cupy 1T for public rehearSals as we'll a con-
certS. The enterprise of the conductor and
the musicians who form the orchestra de-
serve all the announcement music glowing
public can give. The concert was a re.
markably smooth one from beginning to
end.