The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1905-06-22
MORE THAN 800
NORWEGIANS sing
WORK OF QUICKLY ASSEMBLED
CHORUS Is EXCELLENT.
Concert of Choral Union Of Norwegian
Lutheran Synod Of America a Happy
Augury for the Future of the Union
Features Of the Program at the
Auditorium.

That the Scandinavian people of the
northwest are taking the place that
riightfully belongs to them in the mu-
sica! Life of the city, was emphasized
again last evening, as it has often been
during the season Just closing, in the
opening concert of the sangarfest,
given under the auspices of the Nor
wegian Lutheran Synod of America.
The concert was given by the Choral
union organized at the meeting of the
synod at DEBORAH, Iowa. and is the first
OF the sangarfests to be held triennially
hereafter.
The union was organized primarily to
church and to stimulate interest in the
melodies Of the fatherland. The ex-
cellence of the program last evening
is a happy augury for the future Of the
union and the success of its work. The
chorus consisted of choirs from Chicago,
Beloit, La Crosse; DEBORAH, Iowa; Red
Minneapolis, st. Paul, Minot, n. D., and
many other smaller places. There were
over $50 members in the chorus, a num-
Der Of whom could not find seating ac-
commodations on the stage, but all Of
whom participated in the choral num-
bers.
Of John DAZZLE Of st. Paul, who has
charge Of the music at Luther seminary,
Hamline, and who was but recently
elected director Of the Northwestern
| Scandinavian Singers association. Con-
| sidering the meager time for united
rehearsal, the work of the large chorus
| and Mr.. DAZZLE was unusually good:
! The sopranos were particularly fny and
somewhat overbalanced the other f'arts,
| but the voices were all fresh and tWeet,
and the ensemble was enjoyable. The
best choral work was the singing Of
1.-THE Heavens are Telling" from the
mcreatien," and 1.-The Great White
with Luther's hymn, "A Mighty Fort
ress,n which was magnifeently sung.
The Students band and chorus from
Luther college, at DEBORAH, Iowa, was
a welcome addition to the program.
The band played the "Festival over
ture" by Nicolai,. as an opening num-
Der, and church ehorale by Linde'
Gently taken charge Of the music work
at Luther college, directed both the
band and the chorus, and accomplished
great results from the limited time IN
| which he has drilled them. The obli-
cato solo in the choral sung by one of
/ the students, E. Krugsness, was worthy
Of note. His voice, tho not cultivated,
has good natural timbre and wide
range.
Miss Olivia Dahl of Christiania, sang
number of Norwegian songs which
were. greatly enjoyed. Her voice is
mezzo-soprano and her enuHciation was
remarkably good. While she sang
number Of classic things, it was in her
native folk songs that she excelled.
She was repe atedly recalled. Miss
Eleanora Olson, sang the English YER
sion of Saint Saens' "My Heart at
Thy Sweet Voice. from "Samson
and Delilah, - the Only English number
of the program. Her voice is beaut1-
fully placed, and her singing was most
finished and artistic. She was also re-
caleld a number of times.
christian F. Martens sang with but
mediocre effect, Gade's "Knud Law
ard' His voice is !: rather high bari
tone and of pleasant quality, but he
could not be easily heard everywhere
in the large hall. In the solo # the
Grieg number "The Great White
Hcst,' he was heard to much better
: advantage. Jacob l.. Hort of this
city, with Miss Olson and Mr.. Martens,
sang the trio in the "Creation' cho-
rus. Heinrich Gunnerson, played as
an organ number, the Bach "Prelude
! in CO and the Handel "Largo.' The
! former was The better number. Mrs
!, Minnie Bergh Wollan was very salts.
,, factory accompanist. The second
concert of the Sangerfest occurs to-
night. ..........
Howard Boardman.