The Washington times., 1906-06-24

from the f Fiat Symphony and the overture
10 Magic Flute besides two Wagner numbers,
were heard. Schubert's Symphony IN C was
heard at the third concert; Haydn's Military
symphony and the Symphonic Pathetique of
Tschaikowsky at the fourth. and, finally. the
table Wagner programme at the fifth.
"The orchestra was increased from ffty-six
instruments at the first concert to 104 at the
fifth This was needed for the selections given,
but 1t was made possible through the financial
success of the venture.
''When the symphony concerts were pro-
posed. DIR. Wolfe, who did not regard himself
an orchestral but rather choral leader, w=-s
urged 70 accept the responsibilities of direction
His success IN the role won him high praise"
Thus. In a notable way. DR.. Wolfe has mark
ed the beginning OF his work as occupant Of the
newly created chair OF music of the University
of California work which he undertook last
fall at the personal solicitation OF President
Wheeler.
known throughout the world for its wonder
full Bach festivals Is Bethlehem, Pa DR.. Wolfe
had had chorus in Bethlehem for fifteen years
singing Bach music, but the famous Bach CHAIR
was not organized until 1898, and the first festl-
val was given IN 1900
Three years later the chorus had grown 20
lis voices, In addition TO a boys choir of fifty
voices. The orchestra included sixty pieces. Ten
thousand persons attended the concerts that
established.
In Bethlehem forty-three years ago DR..
Wolfe was born, When, in 1869 organ was
placed in the chapel of the Moravian Seminary
for Young Ladies. of which institution his father
was principal. the boy was not long in finding
his way 20 the instrument.
His Iife's passion was music. Years later he
studied in Munich under Rheinberger, who first
opened 10 him the great treasures OF Bach, whose
ardent devotee he has since been.
Wl1e the chair Il music was created the
University of California. authorities of the IN
stitutiou selected the famous choir leader or
Bethlehem to formulate and plan the course and
develop the department In its entirety.
He lectures upon the history of music and
the theory of composition In addition to ha--
ing a large chorus 10 direct in training and
actual productions-300 students composing the
body by which "The Messiah was 10 have been
given-he has also assumed direction of the
chestra, which has now been augmented to 1o4
pieces.
DR.. Wolfe makes his concerts educational
usually developing plan of historical reminis-
cence. When the Bach concerts at bethlehem
began attracting general attention, some noted
critics journeved thither+o snalyze the under
lying motif of the scheme. from the standpoint
of musical education.
One of these attending the concerts few
years ago, writes his impressions as follows:
ANALYSIS tie prosreuames % - sh9ws ,,g that they
its religious 5isnicanee from the Protestant point
u TSe hrst three SCISSORS dealt with sayiours
ercnnes scssoneaeh concert Of the esvai series
is called a ~cssioR-was prelude to the series
con nsiSer~d whole.
den.ure concerts the only purely instrumental
tIr. of the festival. These compositions the
lrea sest of o<Rtnrios. the St Matthew Passion
which occupied the sessions Of Thursday
-.-Turins the next tNyo days had Ia do with the
ascension proclamation or faith the
flfs-lffc concerned. of ChrfStS mission.
The works chosen this nhase Of the subject
Faster .cantata. The Heavens Laugh. an
asc.,re,r eantata fSoeth I'D With Shouting
followed on the closing day by the B-ninor Mas
This statement gives an idea of the educa-
tional value placed upon music by DR.. Wolfe.