The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1909-07-25
SPLENDID MUSICAL
FAREATIDORAPARk
lines Band Ranges From Wag-
ner's Phrases to Trivial
Airs of the Moment
By WALTER ANTHONY

For just a week Frederick Neil Innes
has been directing his band of more
than so players through concerts at
Idora park, ranging from the passion
ate phrases of Wagner and the dis
sonant measures of Strauss to the
clever trivialities OF the music of the
moment. If yesterdays recital and Fri
day nights concert are samples. of the
excellence of all, then much has been
missed by those who have not heard
the cycle. There will be three weeks
of similar musical fare.
lines band is more than band. 1t
is an orchestra. 1t has many of the
essentials Of an orchestra, at least, and
combinations of tone are achieved
band or an orchestra. The Innes or
ganization has a harp. double basses
and other strings. it has all the wealth
Of gorgeous color that trumpets and
trombones suggest. but it can whisper
as softly as a cello, and it can thun-
der tutti. in which brass and tympani
and drums conspire in a great climax.
INNEs' STIRRING MARCH
San Francisco remembers Innes.
About five years ago he led a series of
band concerts at a May festival, which
were given in the Mechanics pavilion.
At that time he made his reputation
as a director. Thus he is no stranger
This time he comes from Seattle,
where his organization was the off,
cial band of the exposition. and he
played yesterday afternoon a stirring
march of his own composition, which
was written for the Alaskan Yukon
fair. 1t showed his skill in scoring
for the instruments which he under
stands so well.
Friday nights concert was devoted to
Wagner, and all the benches in the
park were spread out in front of the
which wanted to hear the music of
the master of Beyreuth. Hundreds
stood up. unable to secure a reserva-
ton. Yesterday afternoons concert
was not so well attended. though nearly
1000 auditors sat through the program.
The day was ideal. Intermissions broke
the concert up into three sections and
permitted patrons opportunity to ram
BILE around the concessions and then
to come back for more music as one
devours the courses of good dinner.
BEST NUMBER OF PROGRAM
LISTS Hungarian rhapsody - the
sixth-was the best number on the
program, but DR.. II. j. Williams, the
harp soloist. was so successful with
his playing of a Cheshire waltz that he
had to respond to an encore. Williams
is one of the best harpists that has ever
visited this community. He plays the
fat harp and his pedal work-in key
transitions-is managed with consum-
mate skill. His touch is vigorous yet
delicate and his tone is almost celestial
Virginia Listemann, the soprano SOLO
ist sang an Arditi waltz song effect
lively Her voice is not large, but it is
sweet and her vocalism is pure and
well schooled. She does not force her
voice, though the temptation to do so
m the open air with Il band accompani-
ment behind her must be great. She
sings with admirable discretion.
The concerts, in short, are artistic
treats. This is no hurriedly organized
band which plays flourishes for people
to talk through, but a thoroughly must
cal aggregation capable Of giving high
pleasure TO music lovers.