The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-12-13
NEWS OF MUSIC AFFAIRS
MISS FAULKNER'S LECTURE ON THE
THOMAS PROGRAMME.
Grau Opera Company VIII Arrive This
Evening for Two Perform
ances TO-MOrrOw.

Miss Anne Shaw Faulkner, of Chicago,
lecturer for the Thomas Orchestra pre-
scented last night in the Starr music store
a clear analysis of the compositions which
will be played next Monday evening in
TOmlinsOn Hall by the orchestra. RealiZ-
ing the general unfamiliarity of the con-
cert-going public with what are termed the
"odd" instruments of the orchestra, Miss
Faulkner devoted a considerable part Of
her time to explaining the method of group
ing orchestral instruments. the function of
each instrument. and the parts wAicn are
played in an orchestra of the size and i'm
portance of the Chicago Orchestra by the
bassoon, the Oboe the trumpet and the
French horn. Thoroughly familiar with
the compositions on the programme aud
the method of orchestration developed to
perfection by Mr.. Thomas, Miss Faulkner
was able to make her auditors understand
what she herself so well comprehends.
After explaining that the bassoon is a
double reed instrument of great range of
tone and capacity of expression, Miss
Faulkner remarked that il is the clown Of
the orchestra, and is used whenever there
is necessity of bringing oU< the grotesque.
The French horn, she said, comes from the
ancient German hunting horn. with which
hunters In the old German forests used 10
sound the game alarm. The trumpet is an
instrument far more difficult 70 get proper
expression from than the cornet. and on
account of the scarcity of truly tine players
only the largest orchestras have them.
She remarked that the clarinet Is one of
the most beautiful of orchestral InstrU-
ments, the only one of the wood wind IN
.truments in which the volume of souni
can swell and diminish in TIE most salts
factory manner.
Passing to a discussion of the programme
which will be presented Monday evening
Miss Faulkner spoke at length on Weber S
''OberOn." The foundation of the work is
an old French legend telling of the ad-
ventures of Sir Huon of Bordeaux in quest
of his lady love Queen Titania of the
fairies and OberOn, her lege lord having
become involved in a quarrel. Oberon re-
fused TO become recOnciled TO Titania I'M
less she could present TO him a pair OF
lovers who had proved themselves faithful
TO their love under all conditions. Puck,
the sprite of fairyland reveals to Sir
Huon i'm vision the princess with whom
he is TO love; and finally when Sir HuOn
returns from seeking the substance of the
vision. the work closes with the recon-
Citation of Oberon and Titania.
Paul Teichert reproduced skillfully on
the piano the principal themes of "Oberon,"
and his rendition of the fairy theme, used
whenever Sir Huon in dire need sounds
his horn and the fairies flock to his aid,
delighted his hearers. Miss Faulkner said
beauty of the fairy theme in "Oberon,'
remarked that the motive was far SUI
perlOT TO similar motive IN the mendelS-
sohn's Midsummer Nights Dream that
the fairies in the latter were flies in COM
parisOn.
Miss Faulkner analyzed the leading mo-
tives in Wagner's THE Rhinegold," and
Mr.. Teichert, at the piano. followed her by
playing with marked effect the wonderful
rainbow theme illustrating the passing of
the gods over the great bridge Of Walhalla
into their new home Mr. Techert illus
trated also the sword theme explained
by Miss Faulkner.
Referring TO the selection In Monday
nights concert from Richard Strauss Miss
Faulkner said that Strauss is a creator
of the most wonderful tone poems the world
has ever seen. ION the Shores of Sor-
rento" she took as a means of explaining
the beauty of Strauss compositions.
Her explanation of Chopin's funeral
march was particularly interesting. She
told her hearers that there is absolutely
no truth i'm the story often related concern
ing the circumstances under which the I'M
riValed march was produced. 1t has been
said that Chopin conceived and wrote II
while at a wild student revel, that he seated
himself at a piano with "A sheet wrapped
around him. and. confronted by a grinning
skeleton. constructed the march. AS a
matter of fact. Miss Faulkner said, the
march was written when Chopin was suf-
fering from deep depression following a ter
rible reverse of the Polish arms. AS a
true patriot ChOpin's heart bled at the re-
verses of his countrymen and mis- agony
found expression in the march.
Miss Faulkner said that those who would
hear the concert next Monday evening
greatest orchestra in the world. and that
under the leadership of Theodore Thomas
the distinction is readily accorded it by
all authorities