The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1905-12-15
n Memoriam-Aueust C. Wesener

best that is within him. | believe that
in every human heart and every human
soul the Great Ruler of the Universe
has placed germ that nourished and
trained will develope into life of no.
bility and usefulness in some of the
varied spheres of human activity. The
great merchant, lawyer, doctor, preach
er, statesman or musician is the pro-
duct of an evolution from a small be-
ginning, as he has evolved physically
from the babe to the man.
The person who uses and developes
his abilities for selfish ends, whose
influence in his community is for the
bad things rather than for the good
things, whose ideas are low, whose
morals are impure. who believes that
the standard of honesty is the compel
ing influence of the law and that any
man who keeps out of prison is a good
enough citizen, should have no place
and no word of eulogy in meetings such
as this.
We pass judgment upon men and
women then because of what they have
done with the talent intrusted to them
for development, and we measure them
largely by comparison with their fell
lows who are placed in like conditions
and surroundings.
Judged by these standards August G.
Wesener was successful to a high de-
gree. He developed the musical gift
that was given him until he stood at the
head of musical leaders in his communi-
ty, and he carried this leadership until
the day of his passing away.
I have known August Wesener for
many years, we were boys rogether
drawn into an intimacy because of a
mutual love for divine art in which he
was an active worker, and l but re-
ceptive admirer Born of a musical
parentage, brought UP in an atmosphere
of musical appreciation, the spark of
musical genius was early famed into
flame that burned with lustre through
his life, not the pale colorless flame that
is Consumed by its own heat, nut the
shining lfdiant light that brings JOY to
all wh@sale within the influence of it's
I, ~ snf rS Out of the fuIlness of
of his'musical store August Wenener
was a prodigal giver to his community.
He gave not only the melodies and
harmonies of the composer, but he gave
of his personality in musical interpreta-
ton.
Many people there are who play, but
few are they who put the life, the move
ment and the feeling into their playing
that adds new meaning to the authors
score. He entered into whatever he
played and gave expression, and en-
phasis, not with the instrument alone,
but with his whole being. Nor yet was
he demonstrative in his playing, or ever
for moment lost the even poise and
balance of the artist who is master
of his craft. The glance of an eye, a
movement of the head, or the emphasis
of his sligh4ly swaying body on fortis-
simo passage, as the bow in full and
pawerful stroke from heel to tip would
search the strings, seemed to make the
player part of what he played.
Mr.. Wesener enjoyed for but brief
time the advantages of the best musical
instruction, and while he profted there
by, his playing was after all largely his
own.
Wesener's Orchestra, of which he was
for many years the director and leader,
has now become one the traditions of
our city, for with the passing of the
master who organized and controlled it,
it too has become memory.
Mr.. Wesener had that finer musical
instinct that chose and loved the best in
his art. and because ofthis he has left
his impress upon the musical life of the
city. He found us community whose
ideals were church hymns, Old Dan
Tucker, America, and the Cantata of
Esther. He introduced us to the great
masters in musical composition, and we
too can nowenjoy them.
Mr.. Wesener was not only the musi-
clan of the city, he was merchant as
well, and for years conducted success
full business; but he was more than eth
or musician or business man. He loved
his home life, and he loved his wife.
But short time before his death we
were at Detroit attending presenta-
tion of Parsifal. At night after the
opera, as he opened the travelling case
that his wife's thoughtful care had
packed for his use he spoke such loving
and tender words of her as could only
come from man who has found and
appreciates his helpmate and his life
mate AS this expression. begotten in
moment of confidence, represents the best
side of the man, so his home playing rep
resented the best of his musical genius
Only they who have heard him when
the mood was ripe, when be would nes-
tie his beloved violin under his chin and
| A. =.