Omaha daily bee., 1897-01-17
MUSIC.

Tomorrow evening w. 7. Taber Will give a
farewell concert at the First Congrega tional
church. Mr.. Taber has occupied the first
place in public esteem as local organist,
and has done more for the development of
an appreciation of organ music than anyone
else who has ever lived in Omaha He has
given numerous free organ recitals, and 1t
will be interesting to notice how the peop,r
who have attended and enjoyed his free
concerts VIII attend one that is for pay 1t
VIII certainly be credit to them If they
throng to the church, filling even the aisles
and adjoining Sunday school room The
organ upon which Mr.. Taber is to play was
built according to his specifications and
plans, and his judgment and good taste are
constantly displayed by its great beauty OF
tone. For some years after 1t was built Mr.
Iaber was tho regular organist of the
church, and gave frequent public recitals
1t Is said that at one time the collections
were large enough to make 1t worth while
for the church and the organist to carry
on the partnership, but such a condition did
not last long, Mr.. Taber has done the most
OF MS work in this city gratis, or so nearly
so that 1t might as well have been. II is
certainly proper that the hundreds of people
VINO nave been entertained and instructed
by him should gather to do him honor. as
he is about to close his residence and his
work in this city.
Mr.. Taber will be assisted in his concert bv
Mr. Hans Albert violinist, W. S. McCune,
baritone and by Mr. Homer Moore.
The musicians set good example by their
presence at Mr.. Eddy's concert, and fortified
their position in the eyes OF the public for
there are plenty who would like to saw:
Ihe musicians do not patronize the per-
formances that are given here; why should
we?' The writer has been careful to OBJ
serve the musicians at the concerts given
during the last three months, and no fault
can be found with their attendance Those
present at Mr.. Eddy's concert were as fol-
lows; Mrs. Cotton. Miss Terry. Messrs.
Calm, Albert, Torrens and Jones, organ
ISIS Mrs, Ford. Miss Cunningham. Miss
Bolter Messrs. Taber, Allen and Schenck-
surely a good showing. There may have
been others who escaped the writer's
search. III the musicians did not patronize
the concerts given here they would have lit
tie right to blame the unmusically public
ior LOT 10, iolloWing their example; If they re-
mained at home they %oula hardly be in a
position to advise their pupils to go, or to
reprimand them for not going.
BESIDES, at this Longitude with the few
opportunities for comingiin contact with the
great music world, the musician needs, more
than any one else. to- e+ake advantage of
every chance that is presented to add to his
store of knowledge, and-to Feed the smolder-
Ing fire OF his own inspiration, The playing
or singing OF great artist is to him as
food to the hungry. Sifisy musical nature
grows by 1t, and he comeb ;out stronger and
better fitted to do battle wten his hosts who,
by their lethargy, indolebce thoughtless-
ness and ignorance, MAXI the development
OF his art matter of Aetgreatest difficulty.
Let the musician stay qtl home and ruml-
nate the stale memories GAwhen he was in
Europe or New York or Chicago and he
dooms himself to plod along in the we'll
worn track, of little use u himself and le5s
to the community In ,whkh he lives. He |
ceases to be a living force for the advance |
ment OF his art. 1t Is all giving out with |
him and soon he Is behind the times He
must pause and take on new ideas and new
and II does his town more good |
i! he does this by patronlzng home per- |
formancen than II he saves his money by |
staying at home from them and goes to |
some other lown and spends it.
Musicianship Is an accumulation OF |
ideas and feelings. The earnest musician is |
q force In his community. He molds the |
wills and desires Of his associates, and, !
through them, OF the public. He should be !
a sort OF artistic conscience In the ccmmu-
nity approving and encouraging that which |
Is for sood and disappearing and dlscoura-
cling that which Is for bad. He should be |
ever present and ever powerful. Public in
lerest II made up OF private enthusiasms,
and enthusiasm Is contagious. The great |
work OF the musician In this country and In
this city is to create and develop public in
,erest In musical matters. until Just appre-
citation OF the rightful place in and true