The herald., 1897-02-21
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
: MUSICAL COLUMN f:


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Perhaps the Storm King was jealous
Of the advent of his majesty of the
march in preparing for his reception
about the cruelest and most uncomfort-
able reception that he could devise. But
Sousa is inspired by a greater power
than such as bend to the torture of the
elements. His own genius. backed by
the loyal sympa thy of his splendid corps.
could rot succumb to either a half
fledged audience or chilly hall.
The inspiration that guides Sousa and
his men was almost nstantaneously re-
fiected upon those who breathessly, if
freezingly. awaited his first attack,
The matinee program, it is true, was
of a somewhat light character, but ad-
mirsbly calculated to appease the pub
lie appetite. Again. it redounded with
Sousas own ubiquitous and convincing
marches, generally given as encores, but
in every instance Whetting the taste
for more.
The initial movement Of Suppe's over
ture to "Das Model" was taken with
captivating grace, establishing at once
not only the absolute control Of the lead
er, but the perfect sympathy Of his fol-
lowers. II was new. but none the less
its measures were at once compreheEd-
ed and enjoyed to the full. Dainty. oc-
caeionally capricious-but such eccen-
tricities only emphasize the strength OF
Sousa's resources-at first pathetic and
then victorious, the overture entirely
supplies those fine shades Of expression
for which the band is deservedly famous.
Suppe was sublime, but Sousa was su-
perb, and also supreme in the hearts OF
his audience. Therefore his audience
was delighted when. without seconds
delay, the strains of the Directorate
March struck their ears.
Massenet's suite Of Fairy Scenes
found similar favor, and again the inter-
pretation of the movements OF the au-
thors children was vivid and enuanc-
ing A double encore here only satisfied
the audience. First the grardiloquent
notes of the Liberty Belf' and then
the graphic suggestions of the south
ern Patrol" The former almost lifted
the audience First the grsndiloquent
who cannot resist from beating time
with his boot may in this instance al
most be excused.
The prelude to the third act of Spenel-
lis "A Basso Porto" did not arouse such
GntnuSldSIil, Dul llle ltiAlRlotipii ~ A'A
duce Sousa to give another of his 'tW D
steps was irresistible and proved suc-
cessful. Fascination turks in the coat of
king Cotton" and the High school
girls could hardly repress their shouts
OF JOY as its seductive strains We're
measured with the accurate subtlety or
the author and the marvellous pointing
of time that is, perhaps. the particularly
distinctive feature of SouSaS marches.
Rubinsteins "Valse Caprice was Civ
en- a somewhat different Interpretation
from that to which one is accustomed.
Strangely enough, that recurrent note
in the upper octave was not treated
with the emphasis that is ordinary and
certainly anticipated from Sousa. But
this may supply simply another proof OF
the bandmaster's versatility of method
and the catholic character of his inter-
pretations.
Christern's East Indian Reveille"
again induced demand for more, which
was satisfied by a magnificent render
ing of the immortal seXtet from Lucia
di Lammermoor." Six of the bands
foremost soloists stepped to the front of
the stage and. accompanied by their
comrades, gave what for absolute per-
lection of musical Interpretation must
be regarded as the gem of the concert
A fantastic episode" entitled The
Junebug's Soiree,' by King, provided
another example of the superlative ex-
cellence of Sousa's band in rendering
what is known as descriptive" music.
Bembergs 'Nymphs and Fauns" was
given as an encore.
The public has learned that Sousa only
introduces to them the best special tai
ent. and the two ladies who accompany
his organization on this trip of colossal
proportions are no exception to the rule.
Hazards pavilion is at best not par
.Tf,tf IT,
but Elizabeth Northrop is a plucly as
well as charming soprano. Elsa s
Dream" from Lohengrin, was her selec-
ton. and it admirably illustrated the eX-
cellence OF her method and the quality
of her voice. IF a Body Meet a Body
was given as an encore with a quaint
and pretty expression.
The few women who have attained
the front rank of violinists can be reck-
oned on the fingers of one hand, but
Martina Johnstone threatens the en-
ployment of two. With extraordinary
facility and perfect grace she conquered
the very elaborate difficulties of VieuX-
temps Fantasia Capriccioso" and
then gave the simple melody of "The
"Suwanee River" absolutely without
frills and with beautiful expression.
A gavotte by Sgambatti was given by
the band with exquisite delicacy, one
lighted every one, and hungarian Fan
TASTE, "Pustak Fea," as an encore.
The final number on the program was
a ballet suite, The Dance of the Hours
(a) Night, CO Day" by Ponchielli, and
Sousa sent his audience home rejoicing
at their superlative treat.
If there could be any carping at the
program of the matinee concert, no
complaint could be raised at the even
ing's selections, which included the
compositions of Leutner, Wagner, Ness
Ter, King, List, Arditi, Mascagni,
Sousa, Vieuxtemps, Goldmark, and a
splendid trombone solo composed and
played by Arthur Pryor, whose su-
premacy on his instrument is univer-
sally acknowledged. Liszts First Hun
garian rhaspody was the piece de resis-
tance of the evening and was positively
a revelation that will linger long in the
minds of the fortunate audience.
Sousa's band will give two more con-
certs at Hazards pavilion, the programs
for which will be announced in to-mor-
rows Herald.