The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-02-09
MUSIC FESTIYAL0F
WEDNESDAY CLUB
This Organization Doing a Great
Work for Richmond and De-
serves Liberal Support.

sThose communities which have sup
ported and continue to support choral So
cieties, guided by high purposes, are in
the possession of tho most efficient ascn-
cies for the dissemination OF genuine and
intelligent love for music. No plea for
the enlargement and promotion OF choral
culture can be strong enough"
Thus has a cultured musician and o
brilliant and ready writer voiced him
SELF. 1t is pleasant to note that Rich
mond is such q. community, for in its
midst has grown and tf1rived a choral
organization that compares favoraby
with the best in the land The Wednesday
Club is q growth, not an exotic. and from
the most humble inception it has devel-
oped into q. superb organization OF which
Richmond is justly PROUD. Perfection is
but the fruition of years OF preparation
and persistent endeayor.
Fortunately, perfection is rare, for when
the goal is reached, interest abates What
/ the Wednesday Club has accomplished is
most noteworthy, and the efforts of its
members for still greater results are un-
firing. It is well within the confines of
truth to state that the Wednesday Club
has been and is the most patent factor in
the growth OF musical appreciation in
Richmond.
From year to year the society has grown
in numbers and influence, and to-day. as
Il natural result, this city of the seven
hits bids fair to become tho center of
musical activity in the South. Culture
ana refinement follow closely in the wake
OF musical endeavor. and the deep inter-
est shown in musical offerings has been
followed by most apprsciahle results.
The growth of musical intelligence is best
evidenced by the increased patronage OF
great artists who appear in Richmond.
The warm welcome accorded to Nordica
and others speaks volumes as to the mu-
steal culture Of this city. The coming
concerts OF the Wednesday Club will fur
Their vivify this interest in things musical
Chorus singing to-day, as in the past, is
largely dependent on amateurs 1t IS
really the outpourins of the musical life
of d community. Choral music has been
practiced from time iumemorial. The song
Of Moses and Miriam after the destruction
of ;Pharaofl's hosts was chantcd by the
people of Israel. Choral art was first
shaped by David, and through the centtt-
RES it has grown. The music of the peo-
pie was once found i'll the musical play,
Now it finds expression in the oratorlo III
its highest form The name oratorio was
derived from the Congregation of orato-
rians.. an educational society of secular
priests which was formed under the sane
ton Of Pope Gregory NIL George Fred
erick Handel first perfected the oratorlo,
and to-day .,The Messiah remains the
greatest of oratorios.
The Elijah of Felix NIendelssohn Ear
tholdy is also u master work. His music
has the devotional depth of Bach and the
| massive hover OF Handel, and 1t has a
suave and serene beauty of its OWL. Inc
..Elijah', is rich in melifirous melody.
Behold the Lord Passeth BY was Men
dclssohn's inspra ton. This majestic
work is to be sung by the Wednesday
Club, and it will be the most popular OF
anything that the club has ever sung
The programmes for this seasons con-
cerisswi1I be more elaborate and eXpen-
sive than ever before. and IT is hoped
| that th, response Of the public will keep
rrce. It is a worthy cause, and the club
| gives '.quid pro quo" and the 'qlid' Is
| greater than the quo.
| 1t is a gratifying fact that the business