Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-10-31
M USICAL MENTION

NO artistic organization can afford to
stand still. It must either progress or ret
rograde, and Improvement is possible even
In the most perfect institution. Last year
the Washington Symphony Orchestra made
a record for itself by the excellent work it
did with such material as was at hand and
could be obtained at short notice.
After the experience of a season and
half 1t has been possible to determine the
weak spots in the orchestra and to elmi-
nate them. This has been done, with the
result that the parts that last year were
the weakest are now the strongest. To do
this 1t has been necessary to look around
IT. many directions for real capable artistic
material. After much search Mr.. DeKoven
has discovered this and he has engaged
number of new players for the orchestra.
Foremost of these is Mr.. NJ. Belinski,
player Of International reputation who has
been the leading cello player with the
Boston Symphony Orchestra. He is a man
In every way qualified to occupy the I'M
rortant place of leader of the 'cellos. He
has a large repertory of the best music for
his instrument and he will be heard ds
soloist at one of the concerts this winter.
Mr.. Herman ReftZel of New York has
been engaged as first oboe player, and has
come to Washington to live, have, in
fact. all the new members of the orchestra.
Mr.. Herman Rietzel is as fine an oboi5t IS
may be found anywhere In the country,
and has played in the principal New York
orchestras with great success.
The first bassoonist is Mr. Paul Litke of
New York, whence come also Mr. Adolph
Betz and Mr. Albert Lehman. the first and
second horn players. respectively. When
1t Is remembered what "a difficult instru-
ment the French horn is and how imports
its place In the orchestra, it will be under
stood what an addition these men are. Mr..
John hammers, the second oboist and a
distinguished player, comes from Chicago,
and several other additional members from
out of town come to complete the list.
The Mendelssohn music which has been
arranged by Victor Herbert for the pro-
dIction OF Midsummer Nights Dream is
attracting a great deal of attention among
musicians in New York. Mr.. Herbert has
included all of Mendelssohn's music writ
ter. especially for that drama. the Spring
the noctune, the intermezzo and all his
posthumous works, which have been care
fully adapted to the text. To fill up a
hiatus of recitative here and there, for
which no music had ever been written in
previous productions. whole phrases that
fitted were taken from Mendelssohns pos
thumous opera, 'Lorely,' with the result
that the entire score, which now includes
fourteen vocal numbers instead of the orig
inal two. is Memberships throughout. This
is also the first time that words have been
applied to the Spring Song and the
"Spinning Song" and the easy fitting of
of the source of their inspiration.
Active rehearsals of the chorus of $50
voices which Mr. w. ]. Palmer has organ
lied are now being held. and the progress
made is considered admirable. The choral
works are for the most part serious COM
positions and the ready grasp of the sing
ers is fine commentary upon the class of
musicians the conductor has been enabled
to secure for this affair. which is rendered
the Home for the Aged and which will
occur Thanksgiving. Mr.. H w. Weber and
the Rebew Orchestra have also rendered
their services, and in addition to playing
the accomplishments will play several num-
bers
Chevalier Gargiulo who is to be remen-
hered for his good work on the mandolin at
his concert at the New Willard last jan
uary, which was under the patronage of
several ambassadors and many society peo-
pie of Washington, has returned to this
city.
At the last rehearsal of the Choral So
ciety the president announced that the en-
rollment at this time was already in ex-
cess of the enrolment at the close Of last
year. By another week 1t is expected to
be ahead of the maximum number reached
at any time during the preceding season.
There has been some difficulty about the
date of the last concert, which was orig
inally set for April "a. The engagement Of
the Washington Symphony Orchestra will
cert. and the performance of Elijah" will
probably have to be changed to two weeks
earlier. April 16. as Chase's Theater is
engaged by the D. A. r. for the 18th. This
artists already selected and will probably
result In having Mr.. Ericsson Bushnell sing
in Elijah" rather than in the Messiah"
he having been heard here only once as
''Elijah," which he considers his great part,
while in the Messiah" he has been heard
more than any other singer.
-sA1~
Boston is under consideration for the
Messiah" He has sung this part In Bos-
ton and elsewhere. and was one of the lead
ing artists at the Worcester festival of
1902, where his fine bass voice and finished |
method attracted much attention.
The position of tenor soloist at the New |
York Avenue Presbyterian Church is at |
present filled by Mr.. Harry Stevens.
A mandolin club composed entirely of |
young ladies has been organized under the |
name of the Carmeena Club. The first |
meeting was held last Monday. Mrs R. e. |
Carney was e.ected secretary; Mr.. William |
Edward Todd, director.
The Marine Band will give a concert at |
the Lyric Music Hall. Baltimore. next |
month. The band has In preparation the |
overture from ''Tannhauser." prelude from |
Samson and Delilah," Liszts Second Polo |
naise and Mascagnrs "Rantzan." This |
opera was written for the Emperor William |
Mr.. Chas Rabold has resigned from the |
faculty of the Peabody Conservatory. Mr..
Rabold, assisted by Miss Margaret Cum
mings gave a concert at Dobbs' Ferry, |
New York, last week.
Mr.. s. M. Fabian is arranging a series of /
four recitals by advanced pupils. to take |
place beginning in November. Miss Chase |
and Miss Hoberg, from New York. Mr. Ed |
win Hughes and Mr.. Frank Norris Jones /
will play at the first. Mr.. Fabian has in |
prospect busy season, having given re-