Los Angeles herald., 1909-12-04
NuSiCNOfeS
STRANGE thing happened in Los

A STRANGE thing happened in Los
II Angeles last night, something
"a seldom if ever recorded in the
music annals of the city--an audience
which filled Simpson auditorium was
led whittier he would by an interpreta-
tor of German leider and, held by his
magic until the last note of the ac-
compartment died in silence, Wakened
then to spontaneous applause. Trivial
matters, such as hats and wraps were
for once forgotten, and the audience
fingered, standing, while Ludwig Wull-
ner came forward again and again to
acknowledge the tribute paid him.
When it can be truthfully said of an
artist that he caused Los Angeles
audience to forget the habitual rush
for the doors, a rush which often 10
well under way before the closing
chords of the accompaniment are fin
ished, he needs no other Endorsement.
One should have a special vocabulary
when writing of Wullners art, for the
terms applied to average people and
average voices do not fit this man.
One forgets to listen to his singing be-
cause attention Is directed by the
dominating personality of the man. In
a rugged, cultural German voice that
could only belong to one of his massive
frame, but which is not too big for
lIlb lGHOGE llLlle SODBS VI Ills ItDGl-
toire, he is equally master of Fri
konig," "Die Forelle" and Caecilie."
All his numbers by the way are sung
in German, but this does not interfere
with entire enjoyment of the evening,
for the program notes supply all
linguistic deficiencies among his list
eners. Wullner's face, grave and i'm
passive in repose, and with tired eyes,
breaks into the most human lines when
he begins to sing, and when, to the
accompaniment of Schuberts and
Hugo VOLTS and Strauss music, he
recites the beautiful German leader
which have no equivalent In the Eng
lish language, it becomes difficult to
remember that it is not close friend
of long years who is taking you into his
confidence in regard to "the most beau
tiful princess" or the tragic sorrow of
the soldier who was one of a squad de-
tailed to shoot the comrade of his
youth. The great joy of Wullner is
the absolute proportion of his big
frame and temperament and art. The
one word which best describes both
man and voice is, human" His rem
dition of "Erlkonig" was a thing to
remember all ones life, tremendously
dramatic, and for the moment the only
thing that really mattered in all the
world
Do you ask, "But what of Wullner's
voice. is it baritone? Or is it"
I do not know. 1t is a voice of un-
usual cadence, deep and harmonious
what matter where 1t is placed. One
does not seek to analyze the mag
nificent colors of an ocean sunset, nor
to dissect the mighty song of the
waterfall.
DR.. Wullner returns to Los Angeles
for a second engagement Thursday
evening of next week. when he will
present an entirely new program, be-
ing again accompanied by Coenraad
Bos, whose self f-effacement as Wull-
ners accompanist is the work of an
artist.
Last nights program was the fol-
lowing:
Der Wanderer," "Du liebst mich
nicht." Der Doppelganger" Erik
onig," IF. Schubert)
Die Taubenpost," "Die Forelle,"
"Alinde," "Eifersucht und Stolz," "Das
Lied i'm Grunen," Der Musensohn,'
IF. Schubert.)
"Auf dem Kirchhofe," "Verrat,"
Ooh. Brahms) "Fussreise," Der
Gartner," Hugo Wolf;) "Das Lied des
Steinklopfers, "Caecille," Orchard
Strauss.)
Nit Myrthen und Rosen," Der
Soldat." "Waldesgesprach,' die bel
den Grenadiere," Or. Schumann.)
s
An enjoyoble program of organ and
violin numbers was given in Temple