The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-05-29

strings piano and organ. the Grieg
piano concerto opus 16. Beethoven
Turkish march and his own tone
poem on Tennyson's Rizpah without
score, and although there will al
ways, perhaps, be two opinions as to
the artistic necessity of this it is a
certain proof of musicianship.
Mr.. Jebe had played compositions of
his own-solos-in Topeka before but
his dramatic tone poem on Tennyson's
Rizpah. revealed him in a new light.
The composition has more than a little
of the Norwegian flavor which charac-
terizes all his work and its appeal is
universal Mr.. Jebe's compositions
previously heard here have been for
violin alone but he writes even more
ably for orchestra, being more than
clever at counterpoint and orchestra
ton Those of his audience who had
expected his Rizpah to be mere ac-
compartment to his wife's reading of
the TennysOn poem were agreeably sur
p-ised to hear a broad, comprehensive
and ambitious composition entirely free
from the banalities and extravagances
of the Strauss imitatOrS, work of
much intellectual and emotional distinc-
ton.
Mrs. Sofie Bernhoft-Jebe in her read
ing of the Tennyson poem made her
first appearance on any stage in Eng
a Topeka audience. Mrs. Jete was for
years a professional actress of the ma
tional theater of Christiania. Norway.
Shortly after she came to Topeka last
winter to join her husband she appear
ed with Mr.. Klingenberg in a Grieg-
Bjornsen tone poem at recital at
Washburn when she completely en-
thralled her audience with the beauty of
her voice, the grace and nobility of her
rare, expressive features and the mag
netism of her personality, although her
reading was entirely in Norwegian. In
a few months she has so far mastered
the English language that her reading
of TennySon last night, while invested
with the charm of quaint and pretty
foreign accent, was perfectly Ineligible
and her pronunciation and infection
pure and flawless- Her Interpretation of
the Tennyson poem left nothing to be
desired in the way of dramatic fervor
and convincing realism Her art is of
the quiet, repressed, intense description
that leaves an impression of enormous
reserve power and her art lent much to
her husbands brilliant and powerful
score.
The feature of the concert was the
Grieg piano concerto opus 16 by Mr.. Alt
Klingenberg and the orchestra. Topeka
have learned to expect
much of Mr.. Klingenberg and they
have never been disappointed in him.
He is a musician of the first class and
at every appearance he strengthens the
impression of his powerful gifts and
which was his number last night con-
tains little grateful passage work and
no snowy bravOura with which to cleo
trify an audience It demands rather an
exalted poetic conception self-abnega-
ton. almost, and a subordination of the
soIoist to the symphonic whole. Mr..
reading displayed a fine
ting insight into it's spirit and
to it's Interpretation he brought his re-
clean, clear technic. fine sense
of rhythm. beautiful touch, exceptional
command of dynamics. precision, verye
and controlled and carrying tone quail
ty He held up the orchestra wonder
fully, too. seemed TO give the youthful
players new confidence and zeal and
they achieved some of their best effects
in this number.
Mr.. KHngenberg's mastery of the
piano is complete He draws marvellous
tonal effects from an instrument which
is undeniably unplastic but never forces
it beyond its power of sorority. One is
not always being overwhelmed by his
sound waves for at times his tone has
an ethereal quality of exquisite beauty.
His poetic conception and artistic man.
ner of delivery unite to make his play
ing of telling effect and brilliancy and
the beauty of the adagio movement,