The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-07-21

Sorrentino is getting that Sousa habit
of introducing great many or his own
compositions at his concerts. There is
nothing superior in its way to w How
Grove" anu when the band played it is
an encore last night the applause which
greeted it showed that its popularity IN
Topeka has not abated since il was first
given here by its composer two years
ago. OF the two new Sorrentino
marches played last night The Great
Western" was the better 1t has some
Of the dash and swing that made Viii
low Grove" go" The other one, The
French GallantrY "Kake Wake" is an
ingenious little conceit illustrative of the
Partisan fad for the GalIicized coon
song and cakewaik which fourished
among us so long, but it is not especial
ly catchy and is not likely to be in
great demand.
A number new to Topeka audiences
in the brass band repertoires. at least,
was RosSinis .tCazza Ladra' overture,
a selection admira bly, chosen for Illus
tration of what the Red Band can do
in the way of noise. Sometimes still,
in spite of the fact that Sorrentino has
changed his orchestra ton considerably
brass is too loud in the Red Band. In
the "Gazza Ladra' overture was
fearful crash, calculated 10 drive those
of the audience who sat near the stage
to the roof. 1t was encored, however,
and the band played march by Harry
Kelly, Southern Smiles.
The selection from Giordanos AN
drea Chenier," which the band played
at its matinee concert here year ago.
was repeated last night. No number
in it's repertoire more effectively dis
plays the versa tility of the Sorrentino
aggregation. The wonderful thing
ABOUT this band is that although IL
revels in blare and makes more OF its
brass than any other band known to
America it is quite as capab BILE OF the
delicate orchestral effects. Andrea
Chenier' has stirring. theme and a
delightful melody and SCREENINGS in
depreciation is artistical and intellec>
tual. The Batiste organ otIertoire was
another excellent number. Creatore
ana Innes have both played it in To-
peka. Signor Bottega, the trumpeter
without whom the Red Band would
hardly be the same, was the soloist
last night. He played Nevin's Tho
Rosary known to all amateur vocal
lists and we'll suited to the trumpet.
tones. THE Honeysuckle and the
Bee" from King Dodo" served as all
encore this year, as last. Undoubtedly
a vote of the audience in the concert
would give first place to Verdfs Dirge
from ii Trovatore'' Almost every
band that visits Topeka plays it III
one form or another. When the Rec
Band was here last year Bottega play
ed it as a trumpet solo. But people
never tire of the Miserere, and Sorren>
tinos rendition of it is superb.
The introduction of national airs in q
medley used as an encore to the Gior-
dano selection and in the closing num-
ber Thieies American Republic
brings up again the question why no.
body has ever written a really satisfac-
tory arrangement of our country'S songs
for the use OF brass bands. Every band
is expected to play some such compost
ton and many of the national airs are
really noble in character and capable of
artistic treatment. But all the medleys
and arrangements are weak and trivial
introducing the same old cheap effects
and quite beneath the efforts OF an or
ganization like the Banda Rosa.
The Auditorium was comfortably
cool last night although the heat I'M
doubtedly kept people away for the au-
dience was small The electric fans
blowing across huge blocks of ice reduc-
ed the temperature in the big building
ter were agreesbly surprised.
The band is giving it's second popular
programme this afternoon and will close
It's engagement with a Wagner concert
tonight. The numbers will be:
PART
Grand war march from "Rienzi,''.
.--.-. --.---.-s.--.-.. wagner
Walther's traumied from die
Meistersinger.' .....-... Wagner
Solo trumpet, Sig. Bottega.
Grand selection from "Valkyrie, -
........ Observation-Disclosures. Wagner
PART II.
March of the knights of the Holy
GraiF' from ''ParsifaI,". -. Wagner
Evening Star" from 'Tannhauser,"
Solo baritone. Sig. Barilotti. asHe'
Ride of the Vallxyries,' ........ Wagner
/ ssNibelungeQf march ..........,. Wagner