The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1911-04-12

be considered an amateur in the con-
Quoting business, for he has been doing
that sort of work off and on in a
more or less deSultory way, since he
was twenty years old. Just before he
came to Topeka from Boston, a year
and half ago, he conducted a choir
festival in Trinity Church, Boston,
which was an event of importance,
even at the Hub" the Mecca of mu-
sicianS and high-brows. He was a stu
dent of Goodrich, who is now conduct
ing grand opera in Boston. Yet, with
these advantages and such experience,
1t is no small undertaking to conduct
an orchestra which ranks with the
three or four best and most famous
organizations of it's kind in the coun-
try, which has been given a series of
performances under the leadership of
man whose name stands for perfec-
ton in his art, and in addition, direct
the singing of more than fifty voices.
Some of the very best musical treats
Topeka has had during the past two
seasons have been given under the
auspices of the Fine Arts School of
WashbUrn, and Mr.. Whitehouse has
shown both energy and discrimination
In arranging for these events, and
has become a factor OF Importance in
an educational way, outside his work
in the school His Sunday afternoon
organ concerts at the Central Congre-
gational church have attracted a good
has been arranged for the Easter
concert.
The series of orchestra concerts in
progress at the Auditorium by the
presenting programs entirely different
from those they have given in Topeka
in previous years, including no such
heavy works. so far at least, as the
great Tschaikowsky symphony played
last year. The opening number of last
nights SPb11bartfC 11nf
4shed symphony. This is, if you will,
a hackneyed work, but no lover of
beauty, of pure melody, of charming
sentiment can grudge it a place in the
scheme of the seasons art. In the in
depreciation of the composition, refine
ment of performance counts much, and
the pianissimos obtained in some of
the situations were of the most perfect
delicacy., and such things are not so
frequently Forthcoming from orches-
tras that the triumph can be passed
without a word of admiration. Glazou-
nOw's Ballet Scenes OPP. So, given in
four parts, was interesting, especially
as this composers work is so seldom
used in popular concerts. The
Tschaikowsky number for the strings,
was delicate and intricate, and perfect
~ performed. The soloists who appear
ed last night were Richard Czerwonky,
evieve Wheat, contralto, and Charles
Hargreaves, tenor. Czerwonky was a
special favorite with the audience and
was twice encored. He is a virtuoso
and an orchestral performer of quite
remarkable merit. The bass solo, Wag-
ner's Evening Star Song, was encored,
and Mr.. Kellerman sang "Dannie Dee
YER" always popular number. The
Festival March and Hymn to Liberty,
which closed the program, was given
with organ accompaniment, played by
Dean Whitehouse.
The afternoon concert furnished solo
work by the 'cellist, Carlo Fischer,
Harry Williams, harpist, and Lucille
Tewl1esbury, soprano. The work of all
of them had the finish and spirit of the
real artist. Czerwonky played the vi
olin obligato for the Saint-Saens Sym
phonic Poem. He has a mastery of
the mechanical difficulties of violin
playing that can laugh at the obstacles
put in the way Of effective per-
Torrance, and keep an answering
sense of rhythm, never losing sight of
the soul of the piece for the sake of
brilliant display.
The concert tonight with the oratorio,
Elijah. will close the festival.