The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1902-03-26
FIRST CONCERT
A GREAT SUCCESS
Symphony Orchestra Given
Grand Reception Last Night.
WITH ARTISTIC FINISH
Numbers Were Played BY
Wichita Musicians.

An upward step IN the musical career
of Wichita was taken last night when
the Wichita Symphony orchestra gave
its first concert. The event opened under
all OF the most auspicious circumstances
Imaginable. but one. This was the
weather. which was about as bad as It
could possibly have been. yet the Craw-
ford opera house was well filed. The
audience was larger than even the
friends of the project had hoped for.
so that If the terrific rain had not IN
terfered It is safe to say that the opera
| house would have been packed. Every
other element was most favorable, The
audience was fashionable and stylish
| one-musical, appreciative and enthusi-
astic. The members of the orchestra
were IN full sympathy with the director,
Mr. Apply, and the audience and per-
formers were in perfect sympathy. AS
a consequence the concert was a suo-
cess in every way that could be de-
sired II is safe to say that there has
never been given in Wichita a concert
which was go generally enjoyed and
which left the auditors In such good
frame Of mind and state of satisfao-
ton as that first Symphony concert last
night.
The orchestra surprised the audience.
While the organization Is not yet 70 De
compared with the older and best or
CARNATIONS of a similar nature IN the
country, yet they played with a degree
Of fnsh and swing that is Characteristic
OF the best orchestras. There will be a
1~~,e ~ ~
ceive the encouragement which they
merit, when this Wichita institution can
be compared with the finer orchestras
Of this country II one will consider
that Mr. Apply organized, rehearsed,
drilled and attained for the orchestra the
state OF efficiency that they have al
ready reached within short period Of
eight weeks, what may not be expected
from the organization IN years work =?
The first number last night was
Kretohmer's Coronation March, which
at once put the orchestra IN favor with
the audience. THIS was followed by one
OF Waldteufers waltzes. In this the or
chestra did splendid work. The orches-
tration in this is quite varied and intri-
cate so that much skill is required to
properly interpret the music. 1t was
well produced. The shading, harmony,
tone and color were really good. Mr..
Apply, in conducting this number. demon
strated much ability. The fire and dash
with which this number was played
proved very effective. The Intermezzo,
Forget Me Not" was equally well
played and was heartily encored. The
next number. for strings exclusively. was
most artistically played. The subtle
harmony in this charming composition
was delightfully."- done. 1t was the sweet
ness and clever reading Of the strings
bringing out the delicate standings, that
captivated the audience In this. as in
all the numbers, the first violins were
especially well played. In fact. the
work Of the first violins was especially
praiseworthy. Mr.. Staples, as the con-
cert master, Is a most valuable aid to
Mr.. Apply in his effective work with the
violin section of the institution that
Wichita is proud of. The Intermezzo
was followed by prolonged and enthusi-
astic applause, and although Mr.. Apply
had determined upon no encOres for the
first concert, he was obliged to repeat
the number. The final number for the
orchestra was grand selection from
Faust, which was certainly skilfully and
charmingly interpreted In this number
every instrument in the orchestra is
called upon for its best efforts And
SfN4f AHtillptI RESPONDED. IN INlS num-
Der the horns and reed Instruments did
some effective work. The double BASES
IN tn hands of competent musicians as
well as the horns, saxsphones, flutes,
ccTnets, French horns and 'celIos all
were well played. The beautiful num-
hers Of this grand work of Gounod are
always delight to the music lover, but
never so as when played by a large or
chtstra in a sHilfull and mastery man
0er. And It is but doing justice to the
m enhers Of the symphony orchestra to
say that while the program was short
that every number was well executed
Mr.. Apply has been fortunate in being
supported by the older and recognized
musicians of Wichita, as well as by the
most promising of the younger music
fans. and all the playing last night dem
onStrated what conscientious work under
a master can accomplish.
Mr.. Henry Apply. the conductor and or
ganizer has every reason 10 feel salts
faction and pride IN his work and his sup
porters. And in turn the people have
every reason to feel proud Of him He
has demonstrated that an organization of
this nature, never before attempted can
be maintained in Wichita and that the
people are ready 20 encourage such a
project when an honest attempt is made
in the right manner and by one who is
competent TO do II. The Wichita Sym
phony orchestra is no longer dream but
"a reality. Wichita is a musical town and
is in favor Of better music The ovation
that was extended to the energetic. per
severing and talented man last night was
deserved and compliment that Mr.. Apply