The Montgomery advertiser., 1908-06-17
FESTIVAL CLOSED
TWO SPLENDID PERFORMANCES
 GIVEN YESTERDAY.
Work of Local Chorus Was Highiy Praised by Innes and 1t May Be
 Kept Intact.


 The musical festival was brought to close with performances yesterday afternoon and night at the Grand: The patriotic allegory, Americana, was produced for the second time in the evening, scoring an even greater sue cess than previously. The afternoon program was better chosen than that Of yesterday, the volume of sound was perfectly adapted to the acoustics or the Grand, and to introduce compaF- ison between the almost hawless per formances, that of yesterday was per haps more pleasing to MontgomsTy au- incongruous with respect to the excei- ience of the concerts. though 1t could ha noted that many present at the per formances of Monday. also listened to the incomparable music of yesterday.
 The first number of the afternoon program, the second Hungarian Anap- aody of Liszt. was brilliantly played by the band, and was listened to by de- lighted audience. The composition Is one particularly graceful, tenderly TO- mantle. and as such always appeals with fervor to Southern audience. An original harp cadenza by H. J. williams was introduced into this num- Der, which led the listeners Into nelds of pleasing reyerie.
 Following. the triumphant strains of Rubenstein's Kammenoi Ostrow lifted the audience from feeling of placid eontentment Into realms of exalta- tien. The theme carries inspiration. and in the rendition yesterday after. noon the band might have been also inspired, such perfection of execution was there exhibited.
 The festival chorus participated with the band In the rendition of the next number. the wedding March from Lo- hengrin. and the Blue Danube Waltz Song. The chorus showed improve rent. responding with great accuracy 70 the leadership of Mr. Innes, and the singing was effective in much higher degree than previously. Both of the selections rendered could not have been chosen better in accordance win the capabilities of tho chorus and at the same time the entertainment Of the audience.
 The weingarten transcription of weber's 'Tnvitation to the Dance" was tral rendition of this composition is we'll known. few Montgomerians have heard it played by a band. The fa- nous transcription of the familiar I'm vitationv was pleyed In such manner as to emphasize passages of gently flowing melody and the entire seleer ton Feceived an interpretation which intensified the soothing influence pre- dominating the theme.
 At this juncture of the concert, Mir. Iunes announced that In answer to many requests. Mir. Williams would render a harp solo. Mir. Williams did delight the audience with an exquisite- ly melodious selection. but he was net permitted to cease before responding to two encores, and even then applause ciamorously maintained extended to the musician a cordial invitation to con- tinue indefinitely. The work of Mir. Williams cannot be too highly praised His technique, expression and sympa- thetic interpretation declare undentably the virtuoso.
 Of particular interest was the sixth number of the program. The Dance of the Seven Wells" Richard. With the pleasant informality peculiar to his personality. Mir. Innes. before the rem dition of the number, gave a brief out line of the historical events upon which the theme is based introducing an his- tericaI sketch with the statement that Richard Strauss "a the greatest of living composers. endowed with an ec- centric genius which rnanifests itself in the peculiar quality of his compost tons.
 ''The Dance of the Seven veiIs," said Mir. Innes. "was suggested to the composer by the incident In the thir- teenth chapter of St. Mark. in which Herod requests of his daughter, Sai- ome, that she dance at feast for his guest. The lingering reluctance with which she aecedes to the request. her initial difldence after engaging to do as he desires. and the final abandon with which she hurls herself Into the frenzied nnazes of the dance are por- trayed powerfully and convincingly In the conception of the composer"
 The music is essentially of an Oriep- tai character weird, fantastic and frensied. The varying time of the movements indicates the changing emo tions of the dancer. and the use of the cymbal. the tambourine, and the pfccolos render the musical illusion perfect To the audience. the compost ton was a delightful novelty. As an architect. utilizing the clements which constitute a band. the director in his interpretation built musical struc- ture fantastic in shape but deceivinR- Iy stable--an interpretation which might well be taken as standard. or classic.
 With the sympathetie sweetness which characterized her singing Mon day night, Miss Listermann appeared before the audience in a vocal solo -