The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-08-23

looking through the pavement instead of
at it. A brave fight it has been and the
old gentleman is probably saying to him
self that it will soon end If the blood gets
any brighter on his handkerchief.
There are gayer pictures. of course.
There goes a little darkey and her brother
dancing with all the airs and graces of a
pair of cotiliion leaders. They are going
through an impromptu ragtime mnuet
to the air OF Strauss waltz. What would
the great Herr have to say to such inter
probation of his music? Probably when
he wrote that waltz II was intended to
be the talk Of the fairest and bravest in
Vienna. In America IT is being used to
put life into the heels of these little
darkies. Well IL is that. Herr Strauss is
dust these many years or he might turn
over in his grave at the thought.
Watch. too. how the babies express
their appreciation. Some of them crow
and laugh. others are hushed into
silence that lasts until the concert is
over. Some of them have inherited the
love of dancing which characterized their
mammals. and jump and wriggle as If they
wanted to execute a hornpipe and were
only restrained by force of arms.
Can you imagine a better place for the
band to play than in the big space between
the Capitol building and the heroic statue
of Washington, with the gilt dome of the
Congressional Library seen in the distance?
The music receives added volume from
the huge sounding board of the building
and rhe beautiful surroundings lend it
calmly and seems to enjoy the msuic as
much as any one in the crowd.
DIFFERENCE IN CROWDS.
Do not forget, either that a new zest is
given to an air played by a uniformed
band. 1t is even said that such a COM
pany Of musicians can give any piece and
may DE of applause That is as it
may be, but at any rate. a story is told of
a shrewd old band leader who made up
for the absence of trombone, bass horn
and pair of cymbals by serving out gilt
frogs to his musicians.
The thought that these men may be
ordered to go out on active service makes
the concert much more enjoyable for the
average man.
The close observer will notice that there
crowd that gathers at the Capitol and that
eye of the Goddess the audience seems to
be more quiet. 1T seeks a bench. and keeps
IL throughout the whole programme. At
the White House II il different. Every one
seems TO be i'm motion; promenading
couples dot The lawns here and there and
the assemblage about the band stand is
never still. This is possibly due TO the
fact that there is more space for stroll at
the White House. The music. too. has a
different quality; you miss the greater vol
ume. but in its place there is an added
The setting. too. makes the music sound
somewhat different from what il does at
the Capitol. White House audiences seem
to favor waltzes and dreamy nocturnes
while stirring patriotic airs and brisk
marches touch the folks at the Capitol in
q tender SPOT
When the leader arises i'm his place at
the White House concert and lifts his
baton the laughter and light talk lie down
almost instantly. When he waves IL
quickly. "A man might crack "a whip and
the seventy musicians sweep into the air.
conversation begins at once. This is the
American WAY of enjoying the music
With us il Is mere of a means than an
end. People like TO go and listen but
they are not satisfied unless they can talk
too They find that the harmony of these
drums. cymbas and concerts gives new
SAVIOR to talk about the most commonplace
things. Who knows how many young
chaps have made a reputation for wit
simply by saying nonsensical things at the
concerts2
Abroad IL il little different The music
is the main attraction, and the people talk
more between the numbers than during
their performance.
IL is an excellent practice. this listening