Omaha daily bee., 1898-06-12
MUSIC.


The concerts by the orchestra at the eX-
position Auditorium are slowly but sure
coming into the popular esteem. that they
deserve. At this longitude an orchestra is
so seldom heard that it is to many a sort
of unknown quantity. They look forward to
hearing it with a mixture of ideas, some OF
which conflict. The word symphony" is a
synonym for mystery and unpleasant dura-
ton. 1t has an alarming effect only because
it is not understood. AS a matter of fact
a symphony is nothing but a set of four
different and distinct pieces played in sue
cession. Symphonies are generally writ
ten by really great musicians, but they are
good music for all that and, If carefully lis
tened to, they will be found interesting. AS
originality conceived, they are not intended
for the human whistle and on that account
are not adapted to street performance. Even
this does not deprive them of all value, for
as played by the orchestra they reveal
beauties which amply compensate for what
they may lack as outlined above.
Beethoven, Mozart, Rubenstein, Brahms
and others have spent their best
strength in composing symphonies and have
set an example which the leading American
composers are following with success. The
symphony, as a form of musical compost
ton, was first put into definite shape by
hty'h ho w -
will be given by the exposition musical de-
partment during the last week of the present
month. Haydn was court composer to the
emperor of Austria and had to write music
of all kinds to please his blue-blooded en-
ployer. II there was a royal dance the
royal composer had to write some royal
music to guide the royal feet. If a member
of the imperial family got married Haydn
must needs write some wedding music. and
If any one died he must write something
appropriate to so important an occasion. HI
also taught the royal children how to worry
the harpsichord and violin. He received his
board, clothes, had his washing done by the
royal washwoman, and got about $500 a
year salary. In view of all these things
he should not be blamed for writing sym
phonies; he enjoyed it.
The playing of the orchestra is a remark
able exhibition of what real ability can ac-
complish. Where every man is an artist
and in sympathy with the conductor, music
means vastly more than is involved in q
mere succession of sounds. 1t talks to the
mind and heart with an eloquence that can,
not be described. The repertory which is
being performed by Mr.. Mees is so compre
hensive that all tastes must be satisfied,
Every kind of music is represented. II
would astonish the stranger to such things
to drop into the music room at the Audito-
rum and see the dozen large trunks in
which the scores and parts from which the
men play are stored. Fifteen thousand dol
lars worth of music is on tap In the Audi
forum at this moment. Every composer OF
any reputation of every civilized country in
the world is represented. Mr.. Thomas has
the largest private musical library in Amer
ipo and has hpan accommodating AZ for tbe
last thirty-tive years. Omaha has the OPP
portunity to profit by this If it cares 10
attend the concerts now being given by the
orchestra. As was said last Sunday
one can hear bands all summer
but this Is the last chance tC
hear an orchestra until October, and per-
haps not even them. 1t will depend very
largely upon how much appreciation is
manifested at the present time. A bird in
tho hand is certainly somewhat surer than
one In the bush.
For the National Congress of Musicians
to be held in this city from June 30 to July
A, inclusive, the services of a number OF
the greatest musicians that this country has
ever produced has been secured. Among
these is George w. Chadwick, the director
of the New England Conservatory OF Music,
Mr.. Chadwick, and perhaps three others
stand at the head of the list OF American
composers. He 1t was who composed the
music for the opening of the Worlds fail
at Chicago. He was born at Lowell, Mass.
November 10, 1854, of native American
stock. An older brother was organist OF 9
church In Lawrence, Mass, and George re-
ceived from hin his first instruction IL
music. In 1876 he took charge OF the must
cal department of a college at olivet. Mich
but resigned at the close OF the first yea
to go to Europe for further study, For tw'
years he worked under Reinecke ant
others at Leipzig, and then went u
Munich TO study with the great composer
Rheinberger. He returned to Boston In 1875