New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1901-06-26
BUFFALO'S SAENGERFEST
A MARKED IMPROVEMENT SHOWN OVER
FORMER GATHERINGS.
[Rv TELEGRAPH TO THE TR1BUNE-l

the afternoon, and eXh1DtiOn or all tne IeStlNd
forces in the evening. The day was marked by
successes of the kind that give pleasure to those
who like to believe that these periodical gatherings
conducive to musical advancement. but 1t did
not add TO their knowledge Of how to secure their
perpetuation. The two audiences numbered in the
aggregate thousand persons: the two to-mor-
row. from a careful investigation of conditions and
prospects. will number ten thousand the most.
These figures include all the admissions sold in
advance with the stock of the Sdngerfest
pany. and. since additional income of $1,000 Is
necessary to cover the cost it likely that the
festival will end with small deficit TO be covered
by assessment. in spite OF the generous provisions
made by the State authorities regimental officers
and Participation Commissioners tighten the
burden of the local organizations. but this fact
does not seem to disturb the latter. who
righteousy happy in the reflection that they have
managed one OF the most original and beautiful
festivals In the annals of the North American
sangerbund, and have done much to perpetuate II.
Inc fact Is the Buffalo managers of the Singer
Test had an auspicious eye on the effect which the
FESTIVAL would have upon the Pan-American fair
from the beginning. Many of them have
substantial interests stake in the Rainbow City
than in the arnlory at Niagara and Connecticut SITS
That they expected that more visitors would be
drawn TO Buffalo than have come. drawn by the
specific attraction Of the festival It would be idle
to deny. but they artistically minded well
as enterprising folk. and have not permitted their
discovery that S5ngerfest and exposition
not be combined advantageously for the former TO
lessen their efforts to achieve the best possible
artistic results at the festival Indeed. they
have been cunning as the typical Scotch
man In their arrangements to bring their results
about One of the crying evils Of the old
time Sanserfest was that while hundreds
of singers came to the festival 10 make merry.
only scores came to sing. At Cleveland in 1874.
The Tribune's correspondent car testify the festi-
val chorus, which numbered nearly two thousand
in the saloons boarding houses and expense ac-
counts OF the managers. was represented by about
two hundred at the rehearsals. which Carl Berg
MANN OF NewYOrk, conducted. 1t was that which
led to the efforts at reform which are row again
on trial in modified phase
n regulation enforced by the local organization
mas done more TO solve the problem than all talk
and resolutions. The plan adopted might be
summed up in the old phrase. mo song no supper"
The local committee bound TO provide for the
entertainment of the visiting singers II had cen
an old custom, encouraged by the idea that social
pleasure was on level II not above artistic obliga-
ton for societies to take advantage Of the festival
opportunities such as reduced transportation free
entertainment. etc. TO appear the festival city
In large numbers and at the rehearsals and con-
certs almost not at all Buffalo wanted many
visitors. but il wanted also music fest al so il
invented simple eXpedient-nOt only did the eesti-
val conductors visit the societies In advance con-
duct rehearsals Of the festival music and report
upon the htness of the various societies for
participating in the general meeting. but it
also created system Of Compulson which was
irksome to many. but could not be avoided bv
those who wished to enjoy the advantages held out
The local association bound 70 give to the
visiting singers board and lodging for three days
II said it would 81 80 man each day and it
provided quarters in the usual manner and these
rates but when the singers came they found that
their entertainment was conditioned on what one
might call good behavior. They received a ticket
for the first days board and lodgings. This they
had to surrender at the rehearsal the first day
and receive another and So on and those who
sal NJ COUPa fon1 fbav-f had
claim against the committee. and had TO eat and
sleep at their own expense. This measure was as
drastic and effective It was simple. and to-day
for the first time In my experience saw the united
chorus largely represented at the morning re-
hearsaI II the concert
The effect OF this rule and the preparatory study
made up the chief glory OF the evening concert for
the twenty-five hundred more singers sang not
only the simpler unaccOmpanied part songs but
also the extended ballad settings. for voices and
orchestra. with eectrifying effect Evidently under
proper conditions 1t is possible that German song
festivals may also be music festivals. Whether
monster Sangerfest can ever he made to pay
peuseS Is Stil in doubt Buffalo knows that
the enterprise be helped by consOrting with
an exposition. but the representatives of St Louis
do not and they here clamOring for the prfvi-
lege of giving the festival in 1903 when there
will be exposition in that city to celebrate the
century Of the Louisiana Purchase. They will
probably get 1t.
The choral music in this afternoons concert
consisted OF songs sung by part and songs sung by
three visiting societies. This feature has taken the
place of the competitive singing which used 10
prevail in the North American Sangerbund. and Is
still cultivated much TO the disturbance Of good
will among the societies in the Eastern Organiza-
lions. The societies which exploited themselves
were the Liederkranz of Chicago, eighty singers;
the Brooklyn Sdngerbund foIty-eight singers. and
the Cleveland Gesangverein. forty singers. In the
evening the chorus occupied the stage. but
nevertheless the United Singers. of Cincinnati
$50 voices and the United Singers, of Chicago.
over five hundred voices gave performances
The singing of these societies. especially from
Brooklyn. under Louis K6mmenich, notable beyond
the others for delicacy and refinement Of ex-
preston, was most praiseworthy, but with the
stupendous effects of the mass chorus ringing in
ones ears. IT nevertheless seemed almost futile
There was an elemental force In the singing OF the
, 200 men in the evening which wonderfully up
lifting, and testified thousand fold more eloquent
ly of the persuasive power Of song than all the
grandiloquent platitudes which its self-elected
vOcates are spoutng over their beer mugs tonight
The chief things sung by this massed choir were
the ballads already referred to- Der Scharfen-
sten.' by Mr.. Fique OF New-York and
"Germanenzug," by John Lund. the festival |
director Both known to the German societies
of New-fork, and both stirring and excellent
compositions. Besides these the united choir SANG
shorter unaccompaned part songs under the direc-
ton of Mr.. Jacobsen the assistant conductor and
they led the audience into enthusiasm. The solo |
singers at the two concerts were Nine. Schumann-
Heink. who rode old battle horses a resoundfng
triumph; Fl. Evan Williams. d. Ffrangcon Davies
and Charles McCreary. a local barytone.
Dame Schumann- Heink. having enjoyed a few
days of rest from her phenomenally active season
was in superb voice and made all but forget
the tremendous space in which she sang which Ieft
the orchestra frequently inaudibIe. The orchestra
is capable to degree but overwhelmed by the |
big chorus. H. f X