Omaha daily bee., 1899-07-09
MUSIC.
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An interesting episode occurred the other
night at one OF the places which afford
amusement to the lovers Of entertainment in
the way Of tobogganing The crowd was
| large and patriotic, because the day was
July the Fourth, the day of days for young
America.
An orchestra composed OF piano, cor
net, a clarionet and a violin discoursed
the sweet strains of "El CAPTAIN" or the
mellow harmonies of the Incompatible
Georgia camp meeting. The violinist of the
occasion was a substitute, the regular off,
ciator being occupied with another engage
ment. And that was the reason for the ap-
pearance of very talented and proficient
young gentleman in a garden orchestra
playing rag-time music and other terrible
things.
A young lady sitting near the railing
which separated those who make the hazard
Gus journey down the steep incline and into
the water from the waiting friends who
anxiously watch the performance, saw the
violinist and on invitation he Joined small
party of musical and literary friends seated
around small table, and then and there
with violin muted, he played the beautiful
ulstirring strains of Schubert's "Ave
Maria" and played so softly so tenderly
that the people at the very next table could
not hear
How incongruous 1t all seemed. The
laughing, talking, boisterous jollity OF the
crowds, the harsh barking of the distant
"spielers," the splashing of the water, the
terror-stricken scream of some novices, the
rattling of glasses and the yell of the wait
ers, anxious to secure as many sales as pos
sible and secure them quickly, thereby pill
ing up good commissions, the whole gaiety
of the worldly scene, the hubbub of Vanity
Fair, and then-that few moments of up
lfting-that inspiration, induced by the re-
lgious theme of that time German COM
poser, it seemed, as played with the in
tensity and beauty which were so striking,
like the appearance of a beautiful rainbow
in cloudy sky.
And of such threads is the musical fab
ric woven.
The remarkable fecundity Of the musical
mind of Roy l.. Smith is setting the MUSICAL
world a-thinking. This talented gentleman,
who is still comparatively young, has at
tracted much attention by his compositions,
and this is a pleasant thought when one
remembers that in the erstwhile days he
was one of the profession in Omaha. At
that time Mr.. Smith lived In his beautiful
home at Fremont, and came to Omaha twice
each week to attend to his duties as teacher
and virtuoso.
He is now making strides In the south
and winning fame as a musical educator.
OF his peculiar talent as a song writer
musical papers have said much. His COM
positions are being sung regularly by such
we'll known persons as Camille D'Arville,
Katherine Bloodgood, Holmes Cowper,
Blatchford Kavanaugh and Bicknell Young,
to say nothing of the scores of leading am
ateurs all over the country.
Mr.. Dan Wheeler. jr.. of local celebrity,
is the proud possessor of several songs in
manuscript from Roy Smiths pen, and he
is about to have them published. Some of
them are dedicated to Mr.. Wheeler and one,
graceful and melodious lullaby, my Wee
Bird" is inscribed to Mrs. Wheeler.
Perhaps the strongest musical number that
he has yet evolved is his song entitled 1.-The
Creed" But, of course, that may be only
personal preference on the part of the
writer for it is true that seldom has one
heard more intensely passionate piece Of
musical construction.
The songs which have recently emanated
from this western musicians brain and i'm
aginative poesy have shown a maturity
which is striking. The natural boldness of
his style has induced him in some previous
compositions to soar dangerously near the
impossible in matter of compass. Recently
he has condensed his musical emotions and
his wonderful accompaniments in conjunc-
tion with themes restricted only by good
judgment His writing shows a steady and
brilliant growth He has never written in
am amateurish way; all of his work has been
marked by it's originality and by his sound
harmonic progressions.
Perhaps this young gentleman will revo-
II
"coon" songs. He has just finished plan
tation Lullaby" which is the best thing that
has yet appeared along the line of south
ern ideas. He has based the song on a
Groom and shows the plaintive side of
that wonderful people, so fond of music and
melons.
South Omaha musicians were conspicuous
in concert given at Columbus. Neb., last
week, when at Maennerchor hall a classic |
program was presented by Miss Nellie Paris, |
NJ Mr. 10 inbS