Omaha daily bee., 1899-02-19

MUSIC.
rETEEZrEE~EngaEET

The musical world locally Speaking curing
the last week suffered a severe shock from
the sudden death Of Don Nj. Long. one Of the
very foremost musicians Of the city.
Mr.. Long. or Don Long, as almost every
one knew him, was q very talented mus
clan. His ability was general, and while
his place in the profession was distinctly
that of a pianist and teacher Of the piano,
ne was also an able critic. a thoroughly
good reviewer. a careful analyst, 2 promis-
ing and prolific writer, Of much ingenuity.
originality and resource.
The musical people who knew him liked
him with q great amount Of sincerity. He
was thoroughly honest in his opinions,
modest Of his attachments. and proud only
Of his profession. He was a man who al
WAYS defended the ethics Of his profession
when there was an opportunity.
But now the dissunaDces have been re-
solved, the curtain has fallen on his short
opera, the piano is silent, the pen is laid
aside, the manuscript is incomplete. and all
that remains Of Don Long is z memory;
but. what a memory. Those who heard him
as he played the masterpieces Of the great
composers in those morning half hours at
q certain public music room viii not forget
his tender. poetic and soulful interpretation
Of the Chopin aocturnes.
The wistful, searching glances Of those
pale mysterious eyes still haunt his friends.
The placid. pale and poetic countenarce Of
the youthful teacher viii live in the fond
recollection Of his pupils. and they viii re-
member the quiet, gentlemanly manner Of
this disciple OF the sacred muse.
Don Long was-an is not. But his works
live. His presence is still felt, although he
himself is not here. He has gone 10 the
higher school. He has entered the great
Unknown academy, where all difficulties are
cleared up, where the tangled discords Of
this inharmonious life are ~softened and
mcdulatsd, where The traditions CT the past
are explained by the masters themselves,
/ where Handel. Bach. Beethoven and all the
great cnes Of earth have already gone and
are now perchanee teaching the younger sons
Of the faithful who have toiled here and
have earned admission 10 the higher knowl-
edge. Gone, not into the darkness. but
rather into the great light; not into the
valley OF the shadow Of death. but through
the valley into the glorious beyond.
He knows more now than any Of US, for
has he not solved the greatest mystery OF
the future? "Requiescat in pace"
To his family the musical people OF Omaha
come with hearts full Of sympathy. The
great heart Of eternal sympathy is surely
touched by such scenes as those which were
witnessed Al the Unity church last Thursday
when Rev. Newton Mann, overcome himself
by the terrific strain OF the occasion, tried
ID pour balm upon tie wounds which were
only too apparent Never has there been
such sincere, unaffected grief AZ an Omaha
church as on the occasion mentioned. The
friends OF the young artist Who had been
called TO fulfil higher duties gathered
around the family and with deepest sym
PATTY showed their devoted wish to be OF
any comfor1 or help that was possible.
The words u Browning cone TO one:
mind with irresistible force al this juncture
Why else was the pause prolonged, bui
that sing NJ might issue thence?
Why rush the disCords in, but that harmony
should be lrlze12
Sorrow iE hard 10 bear, and doubt Is
slow 70 clear.
Each sufere says his say, MS scheme O,
the veal ara woe
Bur God has a tw Of u whom ne whis-
pers in The ear.
The rest may reason ana welcome: II;
We musicians know.
GIVE me the KEYS. ! feel for ths
common chord again.
Sliding oy seIt5n=s III sink 10 tht
Ana blunt ir into a ninth. and stand
on alien ground,
Surveying awhil The heights 7 rolled from
into The deep
Which. hark. have dared and done. 70,
my resting place Is and,
The c Major u this life 50, now ] Wi
try 70 sleep.
May the hreezes blow softly Ger his rest
ing place, while the stars sing his requiem
THOMAS J KELLY.
Miss Tplfa OsBes- piano Farbaeh block