The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1910-09-05
VOLKSFEST CHARMS
IMMENSE CROWD
Thirteen ChOruSes Compete for
Austrian EmperOr's Cup at
Piedmont Park

OAKLAND. Sept 4-Seldom has
Piedmont park been the scene of such
festivity and musical triumph as
marked the volk fest held under the
auspices Of the saengerbund of the Pa
cihc coast today. when - German sing
tg societies competed IN Tyrolean songs
for the prize cup offered by Emperor
Francis Josef Of Austria.
The Eucalyptus amphitheater was
crowded TO its seating and stand
ing capacity. by far the largest
part of the audience being obliged to
listen TO the entire program from the
park grounds outside the theater.
while others, giving UP in despair. re-
treated TO shady hooks in the park.
where beer and "freundlicher Gesang'
abounded in true German style.
OPENS WITH ADDRESS
The program Of the day was opened
by DR. Max Magnus. president Of the
saengerfest, who delivered a short ad-
dress in explanation Of the competitive
musical numbers. read the list of the
competing societies and introduced the
judges of award. whose names follow:
Arthur Ficl1enscher, Theodore Vogt,
Hermann Perlet Or. J. Fred Wolfe and
The different singing societies were
not required to sing the same piece.
Each organization selected its own
number, and as result the program
comprised a wide variety Of Tyrolean
songs and chOruses, ranging from the
characteristic volkstanz style or the
light harmOnies 10 the dramatic and
more intricate works, which required
exceptional technique and training. TO
say nothing Of purity Of tone
OF all the societies which acquitted
themselves splendidly, the work of four
stands out conspicuOusly. These were
The san Francisco maennerchoir. the
Gesangs Section. des Vereins Oesterrich,
the Gruetli verein Of San Francisco and
the Harmonic of san Francisco Each
sang its respective number in splendid
fashion, eclipsing anything Of the kind
ever heard here before.
The decision will be made by the
judges tomorrow night after the Hans
Sachs production by German students
Of the University OF California at the
Greek theater in Berkeley. The total
number Of voices in the combined So
cieues was about 1900 Arthur
Claasen Of the AriOn society of New
York was director of the fest The
names of the societies which competed,
with their respective directors, follows:
Harmonic. ...-.--.....-.... San Francisco
Director J. r. Riegger
Gessngs section des San Francisco turnvereins
Director Gustav Albrecht
Director LudTick Thomas aE'S ANseieS
Grueti verein German chorus. - San Francisco
Director John c. Raffb
GeS2ngS section des Sacramento turrvereips -
Director Adam Bantz
NrcsanSs section des san Francisco Hessen vereing
Director f. Dietz
s F. Maeanerchor- .-......-.---.S San Francisco
Director P. Friedrichs
Director J. R. Riegger ''--'i'DO
Ereundschsft ssengerbund. 800. san Francisco
Director J. r. Riegger
Gesangs section des vereins OesterTeich Of S. F.
Director Ferdinand Urban
Alpenroesi German chorus 800 San Francisco
$50. Director J. R. Regger
Director Siegfried Hagen nos Anseies
Gessngs section dos turnverens Of Oakland
Director Gustav Albrecht
The officers of the day were as fol-
lows; President, Colonel Theodore
Gier; vice presidents, Ludwig Oehlmann
and II. Bendel; secretary, L. Warnke.
treasurer, Albert Kayser. The commit
tees were:
Receptlon-H. Bendel. A. Curtin. H. Du-
venek. H. Banker. J. Luth, E. Lehnhardt, l.
oehlmann A Putzker. ]. H. Yelten.
Concen-W. Baumgsrt II. Benzinger c. Wan
ner T.. Wamke.
Press-W. Bsumgsst, p. 9TH
Banquet and Entertsinmcnt-H. W KIeuen-
hr0ich. Henry Loefaer. J. Stirn F. Sonderleiter
=, Engel. F. Freund. J. TiIlmann.
At the close of the program an in
formal reception Was given to Robert
Lorentz of San Francisco to- whose in
defatigable efforts and enthusiasm the
founding OF the saengerbund five wears
ago was due. The officers of the or
Sanization, who were hailed with
cheers and song, follow: President
Robert Lorentz; vice president. w.
Krsbbenhoft; corresponding secretary.
A. Englehardt; treasurer. Z. Duelfer:
financial secretary, r Herten; librarian.
" de Witt: music committee. B. Blau-
ert and A. Brehm-