The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-02-25
THE MAENNERCHOR CONCERT
Cycle of COssncIk Songs Given in
America for First Time.

The third concert of the Maennerchor Tor
this season was given last night before a
large audience. The society has taken a
long stride forward since the last concert
in the artistic excellence of the programme
presented. The most important work of the
evening was the cycle of Cossack love songs
by Ivan Knorr. The Maennerchor has the
distinction of being the first society to pro-
duce the work in this country. 1t is said
to be one of the most difficult compositions
fer mixed voices that has been written.
Throughout the music Is of the wild Mag
by Ivan Knorr. The Maennerchor has the
chorus of tenors and then rushes off in a
swift tempo and mass of notes that voices
the thought "Frowns the angry Attaman
fiercely on the Cossack.'' The composer,
though a German, spent much time on the
Russian steppes hat he might learn the
themes and melodies for his work. The
songs, though distinct, are linked to each
other. The second was bright and gay.
The solos in the first numbers were by Mrs.
j. p. Frenzel and Miss Agnes Herd. The
solo music is brief, and, though melodious,
1t does not leave the impression that the
choruseS do. The other soloists were
Messrs. Victor Jose and Emil Steinhilber.
All of the soloistS were in good voice. One
of the most beautiful songs was the one
,Oh', AoN L HAAASSs VNASN, SAONCN, 49,
should they bear me-" The theme and the
accompaniment are an inspiration, so rich
are they in rhythm and color, and both Were
so well done that they marked an epoch in
the whole range of work by the society.
A number peculiarly characteristic of the
Cossack melody was the part, Il would steal
to my beloved so softly at nightfall," the
one comedy chorus, If so it might be called,
Of the whole cycle. The next was a solo
Mrs. FrenZel) and chorus in style like the
serenade, and the last two showed the arts
tic treatment of the composer in the man
ner In which they rose to a musical climax.
Mr.. Bellinger held every voice with his
same time. The cadences were rhythmical
and the wild choruSeS were given with an
ease and abandon that seemed suited to the
general character of the subject. One
strange things about this Cossack love song
number was that there was no applause
until the completion of the whole set. It
was a remarkable impression that was made
on the AUDIENCE, and one which the audi
ence itself Is not apt to forget. The sing
erS no doubt felt this, and, Notwithstanding
the silence, there was q subtle understand
ing of the appreciation of the listeners. No
small share of the praise for this part Of
the programme Is due to the splendid ac-
compartment played by Mrs. +. I. Eden
harter, for the music is tremendously diff
cult and makes many demands not only for
TECHNICAL ability but for perfect reading.
Mrs. Edenharter was presented with a great
bunch of American Beauty roses as a token
Of appreciation from Mr.. Bellinger and the
chorus. The society was assisted by the
Haydn string quartet, composed of Miss
Bertha Sand, Mr.. Adolph Schellschmidt,
Miss Myrtle Lewis and Mr.. Rudolph Kos
ter, who played the theme and variations
Of the Emperor quartet by Haydn; "Das
Gebrochene Ringlein," by K-aessmayer; a
"Rondo," by Mozart. and "Valse Lente,''
by Ross, and for the latter they were re-
called and played the "Pizzicati." All are
experienced instrumentalists, and each Sc
lection was cordially received. In the last
number they were assisted by Mr.. George
Wood with a bass viol. The other numbers
on the programme were varied. One of the
best was SINCE, du Voeglein, SINCE" by
Baldamus, by the Maennerchor, and a fine
bit of phrasing was done in "Spazieren
Wolff ich Reiten' by the mixed chorus. Mr..
Bellinger has accomplished much in direct
ing the Maennerchor in such a programme
as that Of last night. After the music there
was the usual dance and upper.