The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-02-08
MAENNERCH0R CONCERT


The Indictment weather did not seem to
keep the music-loving members of the
Maennerchor from attending the society's
third concert last evening, and the few who
remained away certainly missed one of the
best and most enjoyable concerts given re-
Gently. The programme included five num-
bers by the society, three being male Choir
uses and two mixed choruses, baritone
solo by Mr.. Louis ]. Dochez and three
numbers by the Philharmonic string quar-
tet, recently organized, and whose debut
last night has been looked forward to with
a great deal of interest. Messrs. McGib-
ney. Schellschmidt and Roster and Miss
Schellschmidt, who compose the quartet
are well-known musicians and 1t is safe to
say their ability was given a severer test
in the chamber music rendered than is
generally supposed The initial number
Haydn's d. minor Quartet. in four move
ments. and the Andante Cantabile from
Quartet" OPP. II, by Tschaikowsky, some
times called the "swan Song" were the
lest played, the S"Intermezzo" by Bazzine
and "Une Petite Refine" by Herzog, suffer-
ing from too close an application of the
good rule to cultivate the pianissimo. The
first violin was completely drowned and
lost at times. even though the large audi
ence was profoundly silent with courtesy
toward the performers SO typically
German.
The size of the hall was evidently not
taken into consideration and the original
Hammer Musk scoring too closely ad-
hered to. The quartet was at it's best
in the little encore ''Mein Herr list I'm
Hoch-land," by Kaessmayer in which each
instrument, except the second violin, had
an opportunity to display individuality and
of which the viola made the best impress
sion as its quivering, plaintive tone sang
tremblingly through the hall. With such
an suspicious beginning the Philharmonic
String Quartet is an organization that will
excite the pride of every one when heard
again in public.
Mr.. Louis j. Dochez the well-known BARI
tone, sang for the first time at Maen-
nerchor concert, and his invocation from
"Boabdil." by Moszkowski. was received
with perfect torrent of applause. And it
was deserved. His glorious, ringing voice
never sounded to better advantage, though
his lowest tones suffered somewhat from the
passionate supplication Thou reigning
Father in seven heavens" sung in the
upper register. Mr.. Dochezs stage presence
is always somewhat strained and ungrace-
full, but this is all forgotten when his
vibrant voice re-echoes from all parts of
with Thine Eyes" was given with a
warmth and expression that involuntariy
called forth vision of Bispham.
Much credit Is due TO Mr.. Franz Beling-
err the director of the Maennerchor, for
the able manner in which he has perfected
its chorus. Inc three male choruses, 'Das
Strumpf Banderl' Oregenu. die Wasser-
lille" lCurtD and Am Bruenneleiu'' (Bun-
gart, were sung with much expression
and attention to tone-shading. although in
the later number the little first-base solo
lacked life and volume. The tenors, how
ever. have made wonderful progress, intro
ducing last night the novelty OF the falls
etto in chorus singing in the first number,
which certainly gave an added charm
TO this dainty. folklore love song The
mixed choruses. '.Mein Heimaththar'
(Ab) and German Dances (Schubert)
pleased the audience and were sung for
the greater part with a good ensemble -
In the last number, with it's series of
eleven short dance songs. the sopranos
seemed too anxious for the dance that
followed this invitational last number and
sang continued forte, some OF the songs
losing their effect thereby. Some were also
marred by the too heavy plano accompani-