The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1904-07-01
LUND STUDENTS CONCERT

One who attended the Lund students
concert at the university armory last
evening will not soon forget the nagnin-
cent singing of that body Of fifty men
nor the enthusiasm which that singing
engendered. Never before in the history
of the armory has there been exhibited
such deep, almost passionate interest on
the part of the audience, nor such wild
and enthusiastic applause. 1t was far and
beyond the art" evinced by the singers,
and that was wonderful: it was the love
for the fatherland, it's music, and the
men who represented it. 1t was that love
that filled the immense armory with an
audience that overf1owed the galleries,
filled the anterooms and ranged itself
around the walls to listen thru more than
two hours to the strains that filled their
hearts with the thoughts of the homes and
friends back in that fatherand.
The surprising thing about the singing
of the Lund Students Singing society
and it's work is the fresh and hearty
abandon with which 1t sings, combined
with the perfect control and incubation
which it's talented director, DR.. Alfred
Berg, secures. With the opening familiar
Wennerberg hymn, "FIorr Oss Svea'' the
characteristics of the chorus were at once
apparent. The fine balance between the
clear and truekeyed tenors. and the opu-
lent and orotund BASES; the magnificent
colorings and organ-like expression; the
complete unity Of attack and splendid
enunciation; and the thoro training, all
were there in full measure.
The program was composed largely Of
Swedish numbers, music that is charac-
teristically different from the music Of
the other nations and afforded, from the
beauty Of its Interpretation, a comprehen-
siVe view of Swedish musical thought and
composition. It would be difficult to
speak in detail of the numbers rendered.
The most surprising and wonderful eff
| feet was reached In the Grieg Den Store
Hvide Flok," which closed with a sus-
tanned chord. This was taken at half
| voice and grew with magnificent cres-
cendo until 1t closed with volume of tone
that was fairly overwhelming. The effect
was electrical The audience fairly went
wild. Bravo" and again, again" were
heard from all over the house. People
stood on chairs, waved handkerchief,
tossed their hats in air, and the ap-
plause was simply deafening.
The Swedish national hymn, arranged
by DR.. Berg, "Du gamla, du friska, was
sung, with Herr Forsell taking the solo.
Althc not particularly electric like the
'Marseillaise," or profoundly impressive
like the Russian Battle Hymn it was
splendidly sung and was wildly and loudly
encored. Among the other numbers was
Soderman's "a Swedish Peasant We'd
ding" including wedding March," 'In
the Church." Song Of Best Wishes and
THE Wedding Feast" The last was es-
pecially enjoyed by the vast audience,
which laughed and wept, cheered and APP
plauded and at the close refused to leave
! the hall until after an encore number had
been given. and the announcement was
| finally made that the students had de-
parted. Dr. Berg was given a splendid
ovation, and divided the honors of the
evening with Herr Forsell, the soloist
/ OF Herr Forsell, it is pleasure to re-
cord the magnificent success which he
achieved Altho he came as the solois
Of the club, and appeared only with the
| students, he was heard to advantage IL
the solos occurring in many of the mum.
bers. His voice is magnificent barry
tone, OF extended ange, smooth and ever
in texture, and of a clear and vibran
quality turnout that makes it especially
effective. He was recalled time and tim'
again. and seemed to enjoy the cordia
reception which was so different from tina
!, which he secured on the occasion Of hi
last visit here. Both he and DR.. Bers
| were given many beautiful floral designs
. Claude Madden, director of the Orpheu
club, under whose auspices the Lund stu
dents came to Minneapolis, appeared OF
the program with twosviolin solos, playin,
the Svendsen Romance for his frs
, number and the Ries "Adagio'' and tn
Brahms Joachim Hungarian Dance 70
the second number. His playing wa
charming, especially in the Svendsen an,
Ries selections, which were encored. Loui
Rosenherger accompanied Mr.. Madden
The other numbers were sung without &C
compartment.
Altogether, the Iund concert was a mag
nifcent success, and one cannot help won
!. dering why American universities, wit
= their wealth of material, could not accom-
plish such results.
s.." Howard Boardman.
s -. 80 : @--'