The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-05-13
SOUsA'S BAND CONCERT.


There Is probably no musical organiza-
tion in this country that could fill In
fantry hall at the close Of tho season ex-
cept Sousa's band and the main magnet
was the famous March King" himself.
Sousa Is one of the bost advertised musi-
clans in America and no has endeared
himself Co the populace by the product of
his brains. Wherever band music II heard
Sousa is In evidence and his stirring
martial marches are played by all sorts of
pianists, banjoists street organists and set
TO heroic words for popular yocalists.
He Is as familiar as the kitchen range
and his product relatively speaking, Is AS
valuable to the average musician as the
necessary household apparatus referred 60.
Holding this almost universal acqualnt-
ance in view IL is not to be wondered at
that the seating capacity was oyerrun at
tho concert last evening and that many
persons were content TO stand through
program of more than two hours length.
The matinee concert was also literally
patronized. In fact the hall was nearly
filled.
Ii was quite apparent that Sousa was
pleased with his reception here, for he
was In more than his usual generous
mood and played double number of
selections, making the printed bills OF no
value as "A record of the concerts. Selec-
tions from some OF the best authors were
played in matchless manner by the
band and after each number one Of
Sousa's famous marches was rendered in
response TO the hearty manifestations of
approval. This willingness to please
was quickly recognized by the audience,
consequently the famous author ana his
fine band played about everything of
Importance composed by Sousa since he
became known as an original and forceful
contributor to band music. This hap
pened ut both concerts and the prolific
ness of the graceful and magnetic con-
ductor was particularly apparent by the
quantity of motion provoking music
rendered. The air was full of march
music and IL was especially agreeable air,
too.
The band played in its best form and
that is as good as anything in this coun-
try. 1t had the precision Of "a big ma
chine and the tone effects were renarka-
hle for "A band of this kind. Whether in
bold broad work or I'm the finest Of pas
sages the result was always satisfying
and frequently II seemed as though "a fine
string band was employed. An especially
enjoyable feature was the presentation Of
several new compositions heard for tho
first time in this city. A great deal of in
terest conferred in the conductors indi-
yiduality. His way Of leading the band,
his graceful and easy motions and the as
surance that he could do about as he
pleased with his associates contributed
literally to the general content of the au-
dience.
MIR. Sousa had agreeable associates In
the soloists Mrs. Elizabeth Northup
sang Meyerbeer's Shadow Song" excel
lenty, and in response TO recall sang
Coming Through the Rye" sweetly
Miss Martina Johnstone played the violin
artistically and rendered Vieuxtemp's
" "Ballade et Polonaise" beautifully. For
her recall she played "Suannee River. T"
Herr Franz Hell's feugelhorn solos were
peculiarly interesting because his instru
ment is SO infrequently heard. IL made
sweet music Signor Simone MantIa gave
a solo on the euphonium and the other
band sofoists were up TO the hfgiI stand
ard of the whole concert. The fine enter.
tainment was under the local manage
ment of Mr.. ID. w. Reeves.