The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-05-11
MUSIC TEACHERS CONCERTS

Saturday was the closing day of the
State Music Teachers convention and
it ended literally in a, blaze Of glory. The
nanag ement had succeeded in almost If
not entirely meeting all expenses and had
given the visiting musicians royal well
come, which was participated in by many
of the musical organizations of the. city
among which, however, the Ladies Thurs
day Musicale was easily the most prom
inert. It's president Mrs. George e. Rick
er and many Of its members were con-
stantly on hand with smiles and refresh
ment for the tired but happy members
Of the association.
The Afternoon Concert.
Saturday afternoon at Wesley church
occurred the first Of the formal concerts
given under thes4auspices of the associa-
ton to it's members, and the public gen
orally. The, bright, particular attraction
at this as we11 as at the evening concert
was. the Boston, Festival orchestra under
the leadership Of Emil Mollenhauer the
prominent, Boston orchestra leader and
director. Tho work Of the orchestra was
little short of marvellous, It's esprit du
corps, it's thoroly trained musicians, and
it's evident participation together in that
practice which makes perfect, contributed
much to this result.
% The program opened with the overture
to Cigars "Cockaigne,'' work seldom
f ever heard here. While not heavy
music, it was well played and afforded an
opportunity to judge Of the good things
that were coming. The work of the string
instruments in the orchestra in Bolzoni's
''Minuet'' was simply superb, especially
the pianissimos. Such effects have been
rarely heard, and notwithstanding the
strict prohibition OF encores, the demand
was SO insistent that Mr.. Mollenhauer
yielded in this instance. The unfinished
Hof ,s,,o SoI,,x
bert, was the finest thing on the program,
and 1t was superbly played. AS one lady
remarked. it was no wonder it was never
finished on earth; 1t could only be COM
pleted in heaven The beautiful Beetho-
ven Overture Leonore No. 81 was also
superbly played.
OF the other numbers on the program.
the famous Tschaikowsky Concerto in B
fiat minor No. L. played by Miss Ella
Richards Of st. Paul, with the orchestra,
was the one which aroused the greatest
interest. It seemed almost Uncomfortable
that an amateur player should even at
tempt a work, and that with but a single
rehearsal. which is played by the greatest
| living pianists< only. The thing would
| have been impossible except for the nerve
and brilliancy of the pianiste, and the
| tense Watchfulnessi Of the conductor.
| concerto of that sort, even under
/ the most favorable circumstances, is diff
| ficult enough, and to make the attempt
under the circumstances surrounding Miss
| Richards effort, was enough to cause
| those who had some realization of the
| monumental character of the work and
its immense technical difficulties, to wait
! in suspense lest the attempt should prove
a fiasco. That it did not, Is no small
praise to the plucky and energetic young
woman who essayed It.
Miss Richards is possessed of great
| technical skill a ready wit, perfect poise
! and self possession. 10 these qualities
she owes her success and the concerto
was not only played clear thru to the end
without a break, but it was played in such
| manner as to give those who were
present an opportunity which comes but
vineyard Of hearing and Judging s. Of the
beauty of one Of the greatest musical
works extant. There were times when 1t
required the greatest skill on the part Of
the conductor, and the perfect training OF