Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1915-07-18

the festival orchestra and the local
Il In view of his wide experience there was
no other choice to be considered for shis
particular task.
Prof Reese is conductor of the great festival
orchestra and children's chorus Of 1000 voices OF
the saengerfest to be held in Omaha next week.
He is conductor Of the local choruses. He has
been supreme conductor Of the great mass male
chorus at several national saengerfests He feels
It Is fitting @ younger man should do that this
year.
''Music's golden tongue" Prof. Reese speaks
with the fluency acquired by many, many years Of
musical activity,
He told the interviewer about II in short, sharp
sentences after the interviewer had succeeded in
gaining the great musicians ear. 1t was at his
commodious homo ON North Twenty-sighth ave-
niue.
The interviewer called. Mrs. Reese called the
professor who in his studio, very busy. In
fluent German the professor protested that he
could not take time to talk Mrs. Reese smingly
explained to the interviewer-that Is, to the
would-be interviewer-that the professor was al
ways very, very busy and maybe she could tell
what was wanted The interviewer was adamant.
No one but the professor would do.
At this critical moment came a fair young dip
lomatist In the person OF Miss Elisa Reese. one
of the professors daughters
Upstairs she ran and there was q little
change of German verbal artillery. Then down
stairs she ran and after her came her father.
Prof Reese not only looks the part Of real
conductor. but he acts the part. or heavy build,
he has the nervous movements Of great artists, a
quick manner of speech. But this is tempered by
frequent smiles that are charming and reveal why
he Is worshiped BY every member Of the great
Choruses under his tuition.
His hair is white and stands up4n- the pompadour
style. tiny grey moustache and flashing, rest
less eyes help to make up striking Oountenance
Though he has been in this country for thirty
five years. SO immersed has he been in the realm
of music that he still lacks fluency in speaking
English. Often Mrs Reese or Elisa would help
him out with word 80 the ground work OF his
life was learned-born in MMsdeburg. Germany
father didn't want him to be q musician. away
and entered the great Berlin conservatory where
he studied under Prof. Stern. engaged in the Ger
man opera at Hamburg in 1881. came to New York
In German opera for two years organized orches-
ira of his own and toured this country. finally dis
banded at Davenport, Ia, and determined to settle
in Omaha, where he has been ever since.
AS leader of the great mass chorus of the ma
t'onal saengerfest, Prof. Reese has reached the
highest rung in conductor fame among the German
people OF America. And his methods OF drilling
great choruses of skilled singers finished vocalists
who both by birth and by environment have been
moulded spontaneously into musicians, worth
listening to.
There many different kinds Of conductors.
Some rage like lions before their choruses and
chestras; others dreamily weave lovely arabesques
in the air; some leap about in what seems to be
exhibition of ground and lofty tumbling; others
merely motion with military stolidity; some use
batons yard long; others use batons at ALL
Prof Reese is in of these classes. He is
q class by himself.
His power lies rather in the affection which he
inspires in the genuineness of his musical knowl-
edge. in his earnestness and singleness of purpose
and in his unflagging zeal and indefatigable In
dustry.
OF course he didn't say this himself But one
of his chorus said II.
He is pleasant to the men," said this singer.
He doesn't get excited. He doesn't scold Prof.
Reese Is none of that. He is very modest, too,
although we know he would have good reason to
be very proud, He is very clever composer and
he knows music from A to z. He is very much
liked by all the singers"
Whom do you consider the greatest COM
poser?" the professor asked.
Beethoven, Wagner and Johannes Brahna
think the greatest composers" he said
do you do much composing7"
The professor laughed and made a gesture that
indicated he did indeed, do much OF that eort OF
work, and his wife and daughter put his gesture
into words He is busy all the time. For the
saengerfest Of course. arranging the music for ali
the different instruments and voices is a work al