Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1906-01-21
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He had the misfortune to be the
Ey{y&1 son Of famous father, who died
saes<zS when he was % and left him to
wrestle out his ideals alone. For some
reason or other, it is much easier for an
unknown individual to gain just recogni-
ton than for one whose inherited name is
already emblazoned upon the walls of dis
tinction. Walter Damrosch, the son, has a
scholarly, earnest, fascinating personality
and the work he has done in the name of
art will be enduring-but he has a bulldog
tenacity in accomplishing what he thinks
is right regardless of popularity. which has
kept him pretty well at odds with the crit
les Only the other day was reading in a
New York paper that the three conductors
at the Metropolitan were not satisfying-as
the writer expressed 1t, There are two
specialists and a neophyte." Hertz is crit
icised for the gross liberties which he takes
with the tempt of Wagner's scores, thereby
blurring intended effects, and the crashes
in the way of climaxes that he insists upon
getting from the brass. He seems to be
earnest and temperamental, but not equal
to the task. There is Damrosch, right in
New York. who directed the Wagnerian
operas during the Grau regime-at that
time the Interpretation of the music meant
moro than the scenery or the star. why
uOl BlN6 MIN n CndnCSs DdHTObCu at
one time organized a German opera COM
pany OF his own, with which he toured the
country Omaha people will remember his
stay at the Boyd. Wagner's music is his
special study and II is joy to hear him
explain and demonstrate its beauties.
-
Two seasons had the delight OF listening
to the Symphony concerts under Dam
rosch. few days before each program
he came to the school in which I was a
student and explained the big numbers
to a most desperately interested lot of
girls. I fear his good looks and his bach
elor estate had something to do with the
intenseness displayed-but I for one re-
member the music-also In my scrap book
have several deftly-shot kodaks, which
I obtained while hanging out of a second
story window. and from which I would not
willingly part.
My German opera days in New York
were during the reign OF the great Anton
Seidl. When will we see him again? Lilli
Lehman, the greatest, most beautiful,
most poetic Brunhilde Of musical history
was In her glory. Theodore Reichmann
was filling the Metropolitan with his rich,
resonant bass and dear old Emil Fischer
poured out his artistic soul to satisfied ad-
mirers. Max Alvary! Who that heard him
can ever forget his buoyant graceful,
young god-like sigfried? He alone real
lied Che part in every phase; his voice was
adequate and in person he was beauti-
full and alive with grace, like a wild thing
OF the forest-as he was supposed to be.
New Workers will not soon forget his inter-
probation.
In those days DIPPED. who is this year
one OF Mr.. Conrieds main tenor stays.
was singing parts like the Seaman in
Tristan" I never thought he had a great
voice or magnetic personality. I rather
think he has developed into a good relis-
BILE. satisfactory singer from a not very
recent glimpse OF his art IN Chicago. Vogl
and Gudahns were neither OF them in
spring, though Vogl's "Loge' was an ex-
ceptional Interpretation and one to be re-
#. membered fear am rambling-the sight
OF Mr.. Damrosch's program for Thursday
evening took me back to a very happy
period OF my life. and have been "rem-
iniscing on paper"
The soloists with the Symphony orchestra
are Mr.. David Names whose reputation
in New York is OF the best Che and his wife
give a good many concerts together), and
Monsieur Jean Dimitresco. a famous Rus
sian tenor. who on account OF the troubles
IN his native country decided to embark
for land where he stood no chance OF
being blown up in the midst OF an aria
AS you know, Mr.. Damrosch went abroad
for players upon some instruments which
he wished 20 use in his orchestral work.
For instance. there are extremely few play
ers upon the English horn in this country.
the oboe generally taking its place. In the
Wagnerian scores instruments are called
for which ordinarily never appear. stu
dents OF orchestral formation viii fnd Mr..