Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-06-16
DIM REHEARSAL "A VIRGINIA. COURT SHIP"
sOUsA IN GERMANY.
A High Tribute to the Work of the
Organization.

Or&0nhzat1Ohs
The German Times of Berlin speaks as
follows of the engagement Of John Philip
Sousa and his band in that city:
The past week at Krolfs Garden. wnlcn
served to introduce to the Berlin public
Sousa and his famous American band. was
one of remarkable interest. Mr.. Sousa.
who iss born leader. is man of many
talents 1t is not given to every successful
conductor to be an equally successful COM
poser and librettist besides. John Philip
Sousa is all these, and more. He never
fails to inspire his men with his native
energy and unbOunGed enthusiasm Inc
discipline in his band, every member OF
which is artist. Is perfect. Iheir pre-
cision correct information, tone colorlng ana
rendering of the vorious numbers OF their
extensive repertoire resemble the Work OIL
a virtuoso on his instrument. 50 complete
Is the ensemble The band Is composed OF
young men principally, who infuSe into their
performances a snap and vigOr which Is
contagious. To use an AmericaniSm, Sousa
and his band have caught on here ana no
mistake about it: they have taken BerLn
by storm. Germans everywhere are falrly
wild over Sousa marches. and they are
bound to become as popular as the Strauss
waltzes. Mr.. Sousa's conducting of his
marches is unique. Our German friends ad-
nit the playing of this band is different
from anything they have ever heard and
confess themselves completely captivated,
and indeed l know of no band its equal.
On Thursday l heard them play overture or
Observation-Disclosures. and scenes from the
same composers Lohengrin: the smooth
ness, beautiful effects and quality of tone
they produced in these selections were sur
prising and must be heard to be appreciat-
ed. Those who did not hear the Sousa
Band play Wagner have missed wonder
fully effective performance. The Thurs
day program was a muSically interesting
one, and besides Sousa's suite. The Last
Days of Pompeii," were played his The
High School Cadets march and The Stars
and Stripes Forever" destined to become
one of the most popular marches. With the
audiences that filled KroIs nightly to over
flowing the Sousa marches were chief favor
ties, was atteSted by the applause and
expressions of delight which greeted the
first few bars of every march played, and
nothing would do but a frequent repetition
of each in turn. AS was the case when
this band appeared in Brussels, the people
went wild with enthusiasm, many Of the
men throwing up their hats and the ladies
waving their handkerchefs and cheering;
encore followed encore on program OF
eighteen numbers, and the last piece was
given with as much vigor was the first
one. The Sextette from Lucia Dorizetti as
played by Messrs. Pryor. Chapman. Lyons.
Williams. Mantia and Wardwell was re-
ceived with stormiest applause, and was re-
demanded. Negro melodies, Plantation
songs, American national airs. as likewise
German national and volksiieder. formed
prominent featu } of the programs. which,
besides MANY Neli-h1iD"l COMPOSITIONS ny
the conductor and other well-known Ameri-
can composers, contained selections from
Wagner, Bizet and others.
Among the compositions of Mr.. Sousa
which met with great success here are:
Symphonic poem, The Chariot Race"
suite, THE Three Quotations. and Songs
of Grace and Songs of Glory" in the latter
he has given a beautiful setting to Nearer.
My God, to Thee" and Rock of Ages
and the manner in which the band played
these made feel if 1 had suddenly
entered sacred ediiice; the tones We're like
that of a grand organ softly played; Rock
OF Ages particularly pleased ne. beng
very effectively arranged.
The enthusiasm at Kroll's during Sousa
week continued unabated TO the end, and
such ovation as the band received on the
closing night is beyond description. This
week they play in Hamburg.
A word of praise Is due MIR. George Fred
erick Hinton. the capable director of Mr..
Sousa's European tour.
: Mr.. sousa's Eel Captain" is having a
big success in London. Other operas writ
ten by him are The Bride Elect "Charla-
tan" and Chris: this latter is being
given with immense success in New York.