The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-04-18
AT PARSIFAL.
Walter Damrosch Gave Topeka
a Peep at Wagner.
Explained the Motive that I'M
PEELED the Composer.
1 GREAT ORCHESTRA.
New York Symphony Best Ever
Heard in Topeka.
SoIoists Were Pleasing But Not
Remarkable.

Walter Damrosch proved several
things 10 the audience at the Auditor
ium Saturday night when ne. with his
New York Symphony orchestra ard
his company Of singers gave selections
from Wagner's masterpiece -F'srsi-
faL"
Mr.. Damrosch proved himself to be
a Wagnerfan authority who fully APP
preciates the fact that every one does
not understand Wagner He proved
himself TO be. besides a capable coll
ductOr. lecturer Of no mean ability
There are many who know nothing
about Wagner To those Nj Dam
rOsch's lecture on --Parsifsi vas IKE
a revelation To those who are mere
or less musical and have acquainted
themselves in measure with the
works of the great composer. the eA-
planatory remarks were interesting
In fact without the Damrosch idea
that Of plain and direct explanation Of
the excerpt the concert would have
been robbed of much OF the interest
ratio nor does he appear eoncelted,
still he was central figure on the stage
during the concert
Mr.. Daurosch explained -Parsifai
by telling Of its history; Of the tact
that Il was Wagner's conception n
artistic form. OF Christianity that IN
his last great opera he symDoiized lne
truths and teachings by using the leg
as the means to the end desired
IN this musical dramatization ne
has preserved the same system as IA
Isolde" said Mr.. Damrosch- he e1-
planned the three ideas OF the opera
convened in the prelude. viz. Love-
Faith and Hope He explained the
three themes and then played tns
phrases on the piano re PlcA .-'-l
finger: and who cannot grasp a musi-
cal phrase when played one note at a
tfue2 The explanatory remark
brought "Parsifal' down 10 the u1l-
to the understanding, IN q degree al
least. Of the music
The New York Symphony OTches-
ira which BY the way Is MI Dam
rosch's own organization which he
formed after his differences with tbs
management Of the Metropolitan
opera house. is probably the best
orchestra that has been heard In To-
ue5xa The choice would lie between
the symphony and the Metropolitan
and Mr. Damrosch's leadership would
seem to give preference 10 the for
Iner-
The soIoists. while not remarkable
artists were pleasing M David
Names. violfnist. who played the
Good Friday Spell was easily the
best Of soloists- He IS one OF the best
violinists heard here M Names IS
a brother-in-1aW OF Nj Damrosch-
Daniel Beddoe- the tenor, sang the
+ mart OF EaE&lL1A AEErNLaDA1- MISS
Bertha Harmon sang kundry's song
and Nine Ruby Cutter-Savage sang
the mart of the first flower maiden
Francis Archambault sang "Amfortas
Lament
The music OF 'Parsifal' is muc7
different from the music Of othaG
yVagnerfan operas heard in Topeka.
that is As much different as the mu-
sic could be and still be Wagner The
Professional March OF the Knights
Of the Holy Grai1~ and the songs OF
ssParsIfal- and the Flower Maidens'
were greeted with all the applause
that should be INDUCED I'm by an audi
ence hearing the music OF religious
festival The music Of -Pars1faE'
would hardly be associated with the
thunderous passage from Die Val
kurer- and .Tannheuser."