Omaha daily bee., 1915-05-02

hthtf tbT n lonk Nlfnt N the
Il1l61NI minds and hearts Of all true
80 listeners. for such choral
singing Is only heard under very few
conductors. MIR Kelly plays upon his
choir as though It were q great respon-
sive instrument. and when one ponders
upon the necessary sfnount OF personality.
tact and patience required to draw such
responsiveness and flexibility from 175
average mortals who have like all the
rest OF us. been taught nom earliest
youth 20 crush In the bud any semblance
OF emotional expression, one marvels AT
the result
Al no time since its organization did
the Mendelssohn Choir do better work
than on the occasion 81 the closing con-
certs OF its career with the Chicago SYM
phony orchestra. The sublimity OF it's
climaxes, marveliously attained and SUI
perbly sustained. placed the Choir among
the first OF American musical organizs-
lions. From every standpoint Of critical
view. Mr. Kelly IL to be congratulated
on his artistic achievement That the
five-ycar contract with the Chicago
Symphony Orchestra expired was but the
result OF times flight: whether It IL
20 be removed is yet 10 be decided. Mu-
steal Omaha can scarcely afford 10 NJ
low this splendid partnership to lapse,
but II takes more than words Of praise
to support the undertaking. Financially
the venture has not been a success
Moreover. the existing conditions have
laid too heavy a burden on the conduc-
tor OF the choir and those who so en-
Enthusiastically give OF their tirne and tall
ent that Omaha may have the privilege
Of enjoying such splendid festival So
has been afforded during the last five
years. II would ordinarily he enough for
those In the Choir who not only volun-
tarily work, but also voluntarily contri-
butte OF their means 20 keep II alive. TO
provide for the artistic eide OF the ven
ture, without any responsibility for the
financial OBLIGATION entailed. This view
Is coming 70 be better understood. and
SOME words expressed during the week
may have fallen on fertile soil. and the
future OF the Mendelssohn choir be made
the more secure by reason OF its being
given the support Il deserves and which
is yet TO Be developed
-
'1cmars Lament which was suns the
first evening ana repeated by request the
second makes a stronger general appeal
upon each hearing. The old irish Lament
with its mournful melody IL admirably
adapted 10 the words OF Lady Gregory,
and the wonderful musical form OF the
composition. with lis canonicai double
duet between tenor and bass and soprano
and alto IL as expressive a. II II strict.
Many OF the uninitiated may not know
what canon in music IL. II Ia the
strictest variety or musical Imitation. One
voice sings a melody and another follows
al a fixed interval above or below the
first with the same progression OF In
tervais exactly initiated Il is just like
perfectly serious game OF follow the
leader.
| The writer has heard many compile
mentary remarks about tho program books
ct the concerts. There was not an adj
vertisement IN Thorn and with the names
OF the participants Of both choir and or
chestra. the words OF the poems which
were set 70 music, and the explanatory
notes Of the orchestral numbers they
formed beautiful souvenirs OF this me-
morahle festival These little books were
only another manifestation OF the good
taste which has always been In evidence
IN the appointments at these spring con-
certs
The New York symphony orchestra Of
sixty players under Walter Damrosch,
gives one concert only at the Brandeia
theator on next Friday evening In COM
lplIment 70 the professional bow OF Cor
Time PRulson, pianist Miss PaUlson
opens part two OF the program with the
brilliant Saint saens concerto. with or
ehestrai accompaniment
Walter Damrosch. the distinguished
conductor Of the New York symphony
orchestra. has conducted coneests IN
NEARLY every state In the union and has
a vast store Of knowledge regarding the
varied aspects OF American life and re
sources In his thirty years experience
he has gained an accurate knowledge Of
the temper and ideals OF the people and
what they enjoy In serious music
Mr.. Damresch owns the largest music
library IN the world. which occupies az
enormous room with shelves from floor
20 ceiling. In the center n contained
every opera from Giuek TO Wagner. and
every symphonic work OF note. many OF
which bear dedication from the COM
posers. The Insurance on this library
0io0oo0) would not even defray the cost
or worth OF the thousands OF notations
depression marks and corrections added
In years of rsheaFsais. The combined
popularity Of the Damrosch orchestra and
corinne Paulson has already brought .