Omaha daily bee., 1916-01-02
nr mENRIErrA NI. nEEs.

By HENRIETTA VI. REEs.
HE usual holiday iull in must
~ cal affairs this year reminds
one very much OF the calm
which precedes the storm, for
IGINNlNI II will soon be followed by a
ks-As=J period OF as great musical &C
tlvity as our city has ever known. Re-
citals, concerts OF all sorts and opera
seem to be elbowing each other for places
upon the calendar Il speaks well for
Omaha that this is 50. II IL good 70 be
able to hear the greatest artists OF the
world and to appreciate the supreme
heights to which they have attained. 1t
Is good 20 hear our local musical people
and TO know the ability of those who live
among us and the opportunities they
offer near at hand. IT. a good thing TO
be a good listener. and to attend concerts
as often as possible. one becomes ac-
quainted with a greater variety of musi-
cal expression, gains a broader outlook
of the art. and gradually appreciates
more and more the fine points OF IL all
All of these things are of great value in
the community and do their part in the
cultural life OF our city. But In our
enjoyment of the great things that come
our way let us not lose sight of that
greatest musical influence Of all. which
is found in earnest individual effort. Let
us not be content to be mere listeners,
but let us also be interested devotees OF
some form of the art. There is a great
enjoyment to be had from just padding
in the water, which becomes more and
more exhilarating as one learns 20 swim.
There are many who are fond Of swim
ming who do not expect to become cham
pions.
II all those who are fond OF music
would try to do something individually
in a musical way, would try to play or
sing better and a little more frequently,
not necessarily for others but for them
selves To study II possible. not to be
come professional musicians necessarily
but to keep themselves going and 10
gain the more enjoyment from It, To
enter some form Of ensemble music. Just
90 broaden ones repertory. and for the
pleasure of It.
II every one who is fond Of music ac-
lively INDUCED this fondness for his
own pleasure after the days grind is
over. it would do much toward making
Omaha a musical center. A musical CEN
ter is a place within which, not through
which, there is great musical activity.
Hearing great artists is like glimpsing
the end of the rainbow. II should be an
incentive 10 greater efforts perhaps not
to reach the end of the rainbow itself
but to stay upon It's path. To be a good
listener is a good thing. To be a good
listener and an enthusiastic disciple as
well is a better one.
NJ. saint Saens, recently wrote an ar
ticle upon the San Francisco exposition.
part of which Is reprinted in the New
Music Review. While there he heard
the Boston symphony orchestra. and con-
ducted the Exposition Orchestra, and
| spoke highly of them both. The follow
ing is interesting. 81 had to contend
with only one fault. which is nearly gem
eral today, but was carried to an extreme
by the fine orchestra from Boston. Fifty
year ago orehestras always played too
loud. today 1t is the reverse, As soon
as the indications piano and 'diminuendo'
appear everything fades away. Melodic
phrases are no, longer sung; a mass of
important details passes unperceived.
Like fortissimo the pianissimo should be
exceptional. and then II produces a great
effect but its abuse in large hall is
a mistake. I have demanded this ex-
treme 'pianissimo' at the beginning OF
the Adagio in my symphony, and also
the suppression of the 'vibrato.' the con-
slant use of which Is one OF the evils
of modern Interpretation. It also should
be exceptional and reserved for emo
tional passages
These remarks could apply in gen.
eral way to all musical Interpretation,
In my own observation. two of the most
neglected parts of interpretative work are
the dirnlnuendos and crescendos, and II
is these as much as the extremes OF the
dynamic scale, which give vitality 10
the music.
The Tuesday Morning Musical club will
present Mime. Louise Homer. prima donna
contralto OF the Metropolitan Opera COM
pany, at the Boyds theater Thursday
evening. January ls. in song recital.
The San Carlo Opera company will be
heard again this season at the Auditorium
under the auspices OF Tangier temple
Ancient Arabic Order, Mobiles OF the
Mystic Shrine. with much the same ar
rangements for popular prices of admis-
sion as were 50 successful last year. The
dates are January q. Is and 49, This com
pany has recently been at Detroit and
Cleveland and the critics of both cities
2 have been most lavish in praise OF the
performances given. 1t is pronounced $
opera at popular prices.
, -
/ The Nash-Hamlin concert scheduled FOL
: o'clock Sunday afternoon, January 30
: at Boyd's theater. will be distinguished
= by being the only Sunday afternoon con
cert of the season. though the popular
. ity OF Sunday afternoon concerts was wei
demonstrated when Kreisler made hi
first Omaha appearance under the sam
!, management last season. On the Sunda'
r preceding Frances Nash will play tn
e Saint Saens f major concerto in Mime
n apolLs with the Minneapolis symphony or
chestra, and with the recital appearance
p in Wisconsin and Iowa will reach Omah
n Just the day before her concert.
r. Word has Just reached here OF the tri