The age-herald., 1901-04-28
THE GREAT MAY MUSIC FESTIVAL AND WHAT II IS ID BIRMINGHAM
Guckenberger is Only Local Dlrec- tor Who Has Honor of Direct
 ing Thomas Orchestra
BY WILLIAM RYAN.

nation to direct chorus and orchestra in Mendelssohns "Elijah" next Tuesday night.
 Mir. Guckenberger's musical record is briefly as follows.
 As a lad he had piano lessons In Cin- cinpati and studied theory In that city under Arthur Mees, the best theory teacher in America. In 1886 he went to Europe to prosecute his studies. In Der lin he was a pupil of Xaver Scharwenka at the plano; Of Philip Scharwenka In score reading and of Gustav Kogel, con ductor of the Philharmonic orchestra, In conducting He conducted private re- hearsaIs of the full orchestra every week throughout two seasons, with Kogel at his side. From Berlin he went to London where he was a pupil of George Henschel in oratorio and orchestral conducting. With these rare advantages any young musician of high aspirations would have made headway. And Guckenberger being exceptionally receptive and ambitious, easily distinguished himself Every mas ter who had him for pupil testified to his quick insight and his musical tenn perament.
 Returning to Cincinnati he made an un- mistalSable hit in his first concert, when he led the symphony orchestra In splendid programme which included Philip Scharwenka's Sakuntala overture, Beethovenss Eroica symphony and Wag- ner Kaiser march. It was at this con cert that Mrs. Guckenberger, now recog- nized as one of the best vocal artists in the United States-for she Is known and esteemed in Boston and other centers of culture-achieved grand triumph in Bruch's aria from "Achylles.
 For seven years MT and Mrs. Gucken- berger were members of the faculty of the Cincinnati College of Music, the former giving instructions on the piano and the latter giving her attention to voice culture.
 When Xaver Seharwenka played his great fiat concerto In Cincinnati MT. Guckenberger was selected to conduct the orchestra and so musicianly was his work on. this occasion that the dis tinguished composer embraced him on the stage at the end of the performance.
 Among the large works that MT. Guck- enberger has brought out or directed are these: "Matas Wintha,' a music drama by Xaver Scharwenka; Handeps Mes siah,' Haydn's Creation" Mendels- sohns Elijah" Graun's Passion Music,' Handels Judas Maccabeas," Nembach's "Thirtieth Psalm," Bucks "Forty-sixth Pslam," and Liszt's By the Waters of Babylon
 MT. Guokenberger Is in the truest sense of the term an interpretative con ductor He never strains for effects, but insists on the singers or players under him phasing with intelligence and de- livering their notes with expression. He is master of dynamics. When he opens his score and lifts his baton at re- hearsal Guckenberger, like Thomas and all other great leaders, is sure to have studied every note before him, and If it be a vocal work, every word of the text. And along with his musical scholarship, Guckenberger possesses a charming bonhomie and that subtle something called magnetism, without which no conductor can accomplish fine results. He. is brimfull of magnetism, and yet is self contained and -reposeful withal Every one of the two hundred members of his festival chorus feels this magnetism, and as one of the sopranos said yesterday, Tt Is an inspiration to watch the expression of MT. Guckenber- gers face as he interprets 'Elijah.' |"
 MT. and Mrs, Guckenberger have been potential in the musical life of Birming- ham since they first opened their con servatory here. They have had much to do-most to do-with creating a musical atmosphere here. They have, 1t Is under stood received tempting offers to locate in one of the oldest and best musical cities of the East. but music lovers and citizens in general. apprecating the ad- vantage to the city of keeping artists of upon the Guckenberger's to stay in Bir- possible however, that those who attend