Cresco plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1913-1945, 1913-04-04
THE KOCIAN VIOLIN RECITAL
An Event Long to be Remembered
by All in Attendance.


Last Sunday morning we, in COM
pany with about twenty-five of our
home people, went to the little village
of Protivin, Iowa, to listen to a violin
recital given by one of the foremost
violinists of the world in the person of
Jaroslav Kocian. After few hours
over the miserable roads and in the dis
agreeable weather, we reached our
destination just in time to partake of q
most delicious dinner which was ele-
gantly prepared and most daintily
served, and never did good warm
meal ever ''strike home" as did this
after several hours exposure in the
biting cold. Seated at dinner, within
hand-shaking distance, We had the
pleasure or honor. or both, of "break-
ing bread' with the great Kocian.
Dinner over, sufficient time only to
"settIe" "good feed" and prepare
for the recital was in order. After
leaving the dining hall. Kocian and his
worthy assistant upon the pianofort',
Mr.. Haubiel, repaired to the concert
room where the most elegant of tones
could be distinguished as the master
was tuning and preparing his instru-
ment for the feast of melody that was
to follow. Promptly at the appointed
hour, Kocian appeared upon the stage
and at once commenced his marvellous
performance which occupied nearly the
time of two hours, and though the re-
cital continued in length as long as
is usual, we were loath to leave the
exquisite beauty of his marvellous
tones and the wonderful display of his
technique. OF the performance itself,
we are unable to do justice in explana-
ton, but such wonderful and rapid
passages in intervals of octaves and
tenths, of passages consisting entirely
of harmonics, natural and artificial,
single and double, almost instantan-
iously with the difficult pizzicato with
the left hand, and wonderful mastery
of the bow, leaves the writer who pens
these poor lines in amaze as to how
mortal mind could conceive of such
mastery composition and still as much
how mortal man could perform same.
His recital closed with the rendition
of the Bohemian national air, which
was greatly appreciated by his coun-
trymen, and amid the beautiful stage
scenery in the cozy little concert hall
in which he stood. scenery of his
native land, he seemed to place his
whole self in the rendition of his ma
tional hymn, which melodies will
linger long in the memories of those
who were fortunate enough to be with
him on that day. A pleasing feature
of the entertainment occurred before
the recital commenced, when little
Miss Emma Skoda appeared before
MIR. Kocian and in behalf of the COM
papy, delivered in a very pleasing
manner an address of welcome to
Kocian and his worthy accompanist,
MIR. Haubiel, who also rendered some
masterly piano compositions aside
from his work of accompanist, which
address was acknowledged by Kocian
with hearty hand shake with the
little Miss. After the concert we were
priviledged to visit the church, than
which we believe there is no other
edfice in this part of the country that
is more beautiful. -..
AS the shades of evening began to
fall, the lights of the banquet hall
were turned on and the banquet board
prepared; feast of the good things to
eat that had been prepared by the
ladies of the village was now in order
and right here, allow US to pass the re-
mark, the ladies are deserving of un-
stinted praise in the manner in which
I the choice food was prepared and
served. James Sobolik presided as
POSTMASTER AMI toasts that were finely
conceived and very well delivered were
given. Time and space will only per-
nit US to give the names of those who
responded to the toasts and the chief
motives of said toasts. Jos. F. Peci-
novsky and F. J. Fencl spoke in behalf
of the people of the village and well
coined the visitors of the day. It was
a matter of sincere regret that Rev.
Father Lakomy was confined to his
bed and was unable to be present on
this occasion. Toasts were responded
to by MIR. Jaroslav Kocian, but as his
speech was delivered in the Bohemian
language we could not understand it,
but Judging from the applause that
followed it must nave been very appro-
pirate and very we'll given. Orvine j.
McHugh gave progress; the develop
ment of agriculture; improved methods
in all walks of life." Louis P. Barth
talked of Protivin as it was 80 years
ago and as it is to-day. Charles Perg-
ler responded with a toast that was