New-York tribune., 1908-05-10
MUSIC FESTIVAL ENDS
Result Of Cincinnati Euent, Artistic
and Financial Success.
fRv telegram n tn. Trihun. I

Cincinnati. May 9-The eighteenth biennial May
music festival in the Music Hall here, which is A
monument to the enthusiasm created by the first
two festivals, generation ago. TO end to-
day, with concerts in the afternoon and evening
The apathy which seemed TO threaten the under
taking because Of the atrocous weather dis
PEELED by the artistic triumphs of the first
certs. and the concluding OF inspiring
enthusiasm. The audience which heard the concert
OF Friday night. which Pierne's 'Children's
Crusade performed. numerous to
cause apprehension to the city police and fire Of
fcials. and Mayor Markbreit felt impelled no.
tify the directors that crowding OF the aisles by
listeners who had would not be permitted
at to-day's concert. The warning was hardly neces
sary in the afternoon. though the audience a
superb one. filling all the seats and leaving a few
hundred their feet. In the evening, however
the scenes OF Friday were all but repeated, though
the fire department did have quite much
reason for concern.
The result has been extremely gratifying the
directors. who have been encouraged already to be
gin the prepa rations for the next festival There
is a generous recognition of the credit due to Mr.
Van der Stucken only for reviving the old
spirit of enthusiasm. but for justfying the revival
ny the artistic results. There is doubt that the
standard of the festivals have been raised far
above the level which il has occupied for decade
It has indeed been placed very near 10
which hoped and longed for by those
music lovers who have believed that the festivals
ought 10 he in reality what they have always been
in the pressed but justified. belief OF the pub
lictlp noblest and finest choral manifestations in
the land Too often they have been merely dupli-
Gates OF concerts of kind familiar al! the sea
son through in New York. Boston, Philadelphia or
Chicago This festivals offerings have been dis
tnctive and they have made so by local
forces in other words. by the chorus and perfec-
finn Of performance not attaina bic under ordinary
conditions,
There will be another festival in two years. tdd
though Mr. Van der Stucken had contemplated
transfer of his activities permanently TO Europe
towing 70 the disruption Of the Cincinnati or
chestra) ii than likely that he will return
to continue the efforts spendidly begun two years
ago There is 4 demand for 4 repetition of
Pierne's beautiful work. and LISTS oratoro, st
Elizabeth" is likely to Of the choral feat
ures The expenses of the festival Just ended
have amounted to about $4,000 and the receipts
will more than cover them
The concerts to-day. though popularity Httrac-
tive were more interesting to the local pubic
than 70 visitors the Eastern cities. in which
music like that which made UP it's programmes
is Of common occurrence In the afternoon the
solo attraction was Nine. Schums mn Heink, whose
hold upon the public heart is not to be explained
upon high artistic grounds The symptom
plsved by tho Thomas orchestra of Chicago and
conducted by Mr.. Stock. was Beethoveu's seventh
In the evening Mrs. Rider-Kelsey. Miss Janet
Spencer ard the womens choir sang DebussTs s
blessed pamozeI' \ work hIed with poetical
charm and presenting the French composers In
dividuality in its gracious light The full
choir united in performances Of LISTS Thirteenth
Psalm and Ciries's olaf TrvzvaSson," which vas
spiendidlv musical and inspiritinE II F. X.