The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-02-08
THE SYMPHONY CONCERT
SECOND ONE OF THE SEASON RE-
CEIvED WITH APPRECIATION.
An Excellent Programme Rendered.
May Festival Prices the Same
Last Year.

The second Symphony Orchestra concert
of the season was given last evening at
the Grand Opera House before an appreci-
alive and fair-sized audience. The produce
ton of a programme of fine selections was
equal to any yet given by the organiza-
ton. and the applause was frequent and
hearty. Mr.. Karl Schneider, the director,
certainly knows how to get admirable work
out of his fifty musicians, few of whom are
professionals The overture was Les Aben-
I cerages,' by Charubini work that is rich
IN harmonies, broad in tone and has a vigor
and freshness that stamps it as something
unlike any other work 1t represents the
life of the happy inhabitants of the Alham-
bra, and knowing this, there are sugges-
tons in the music of the gay color and
all the gorgeousness of the wonderful pal
ace, with the light-heartedness among the
people. The combination Of instruments
was especially pleasing.
The second number on the programme in
troduced Mr.. Hugh McGdbeny, violinist in
the &c Minor Concerto, OPP. &C." by Max
Bruch. This is a beautiful composition,
and the viollnist was finely supported in
the accompaniment. One particularly
pleasing feature of the playing of the first
movement was the remarkable smoothness
with which the orchestra played the decreS
cendo until the instruments melted into the
single note which was continued by the
solo violin. This occurred several times,
and each time the orchestra met the place
with skill. Mr.. McGibeny played with all
the musicianly feelingly and verve which
characterizes his work, and the poetic con-
ception given to the cadenzas was an in
spGation. TIE melody was sung with in
tensity on the strings and again with sooth-
ing softness. The second movement intro
duces the theme which is so famous and is
more or less familiar to all who are ac-
quainted with violin playing. The theme is
beautiful and the soloist sustained the lead,
the orchestra being merely an accompani-
ment. The third movement was the finale,
allegro energico.' and the marchlike time
brought the number to a brilliant finish
and a storm of applause. Mr.. McGibeny
was recalled three times, and there were
cries of 'Bravo!' from several parts of the
house.
There was only brief intermission and
the 'Allegretto in A Minor from Beeth-
ovens Seventh Symphony was given by
the orchestra. This is one of the most
popular movements in all the range of
Beethoven's symphonies, and this is prob
ably due to the marchlike theme which is
carried through the work The several sets
of instruments take up the same theme,
one after another, and as each becomes
dominant the other instruments form dec
Grafton of melody about it. The theme and
counter-theme is passed about from one
part of the orchestra to another, and each
set of instruments gives it its own peculiar
style, so that in the whole movement there
Is an almost infinite variety of settings
given to the theme. The orchestra again
was well conducted through the number
OF all the selections none awakened a keen
er enthusiasm than the two Brahms Hun
garian Dances" Nos. and g. These were
given in a rushing tempo and with great
spirit. Both dances are familiar, and when
ever given are always welcome The rapid
drawing of the bows and the speed re-
quired in all of the instrumental work was
calculated to show broad side of the posi-
biities of the men and women composing
the orchestra, but they sustained them
selves with credit. The one vocal number
of the evening was the tenor solo, recitative
and aria, "Oh, IT'S a Glorious Sight" from
"Oberon," by Weber, sung by Mr. B. F.
Miller Mr.. Miller was unhearalded and so
there were but few in the audience who
knew to whom they We're listening. Mr..
Miller is a Rushville musician, who has ac-
CURED some reputation as an oratorio singer
in the East and who has sung with Dam
rOSch. Mr.. Miller has q tenor voice of sweet
quality and much power His enumeration
is at all times close to perfect and he had
control OF every tone. His manner
pleasing, being entirely without affectation,
and he sang with ease, making pleasing
impression. His high notes were clear and
sweet, and there was an evenness through
out his entire range of voice. Mr.. Miller
was given round after round of applause,
and returned and sang a goodnight song
with tenderness and sympathy The last
number on the programme was the Scenes
PoetiqueS-Suite d'Orchestra, Oh. 49, by
/ Benjamin GODDARD. The work is essentially
French in it's style and construction, and
using an artist term, it is full OF color The
first part represents the scene in the woods;
the second, the fields; the third, on the
mountain, and the last in the village In
fancy one can hear the various sounds be-
longing to each and the last, in it's rhythmic
movement, is the village dance. The music
is full Of grace and style. 1t overfiows with
melody, and it was like. looking on set
of beautiful pictures of pastoral life to
close the eyes and listen to the music. 1t
possesses a rare charm, and the orchestra
happily interpreted it. Such an orchestra
deserves the financial support of the COM
munity. The audience last evening was
fair-sized and enthusiastic, but it takes dol
lars to pay for the opera house and other
nv n