Omaha daily bee., 1916-03-26

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By HENRIETTA VI. REEFS.


foEHaOI more numerous than ever
49, and there seems to be a
steady revival Of local mixed choruses.
No matter what the conditions are, cho-
ruses Of male voices and choruses OF
women's voices flourish but II Is only in
prosperous times that the two bodies can
be persuaded to Join forces. The expense
OF n concert given by a mixed chorus
with orchestra and soloists is OF course
large and the returns rarely come within
speaking distance OF the outlay. But we
cannot have national music without ma
tional choruses. and one enthusiastic
chorus singer will do more fer the cause
OF music than a hundred mere listeners.
The generous donors OF funds TO .he
various orchestras might with beuaft
open their purses also to the vari )us
organizations struggling 20 promote choral
music"
The above article Is quoted from thu
editorial pages OF the New Music Review
and seems especially appropriate in ITS
application 20 Omaha and It's Mendels-
sohn Choir. And the reason is summed
up so aptly in that one particular SEN
tence, because one enthusiastic chorus
singer will 90 more for the cause Of
music than a hundred mere listeners.
Here in our Mendelssohn Choir there
are about 80 enthusiastic chorus singers.
No one who heard them sing last Tuesday
could have any doubts OF thait enthus-
Aasm- In fact, one woman was heard
70 remark: Il never saw chorus that
looked 30 animated in my life Their
faces reflected every bit of the music
ana Il was beautiful just TO watch them.
Every one seemed 20 put 80 much IN
dividuality into the unity of It ALI" Ac-
cordIng to the above figures, think how
valuable the Mendelssohn Choir Is to the
cause Of local music.
Mr.. Kelly is coming back next year to
spend certain days OF each week in
Omaha, and to continue 10 direct the
Anendefssohn Choir. II only some con-
certed effort could be made to handle
sha financial end, taking the business ar
rangements off of the shoulders Of the
conductor and singers and putting them
into the hands Of business men. which
would assure US not only one but several
concerts next year, It would be the
greatest thing that could happen tv
omaha muslcally. The musical editor
would be glad 20 do anything possible
20 help.
One OF the main attractions about ihs
work OF the Mendelssohn choir last
week is what I like 70 think about ms
the fascination OF the inner voices.
Many a time when one particular voice
was busy with the principal melody a
bit of melody in the tenor or alto would
sing out, a short contrapuntai PASSAGE
would rise above the surface here ana
there. or some other significant touch
OF phrasing or nuancing would catch the
attention. OF course this is because tho
conductor has pointed these out at re-
hearnal ana the choir have caught the
idea and worked It out TO the proper
expression. II Is never ,le result OF an
accident. This is only one Of the many
things which are worked out behind the
scenes and which have given the choir
IT'S high standing IN musical circles OF
the country.
Tho postponed recital by Fritz kreisler
VIII take place at the Auditorium Tues
day evening. March q. and Is looked for
ward 20 with the greatest anticipation
both by those who were present at his
recital two years ago. and by those who
have been hearing about him ever since
Kreisler IL without doubt. not only
pre-eminent IN the realm OF viollnist. but
IL ono OF the few figures at the very
top in the whole world OF music. His
compositions are famous with the pro.
fessionai musician and amateur music
lover alike. A local yiolinlst told the
writer a short time ago that every one
Of Krcialer'a compositions held some In
dividual touch that put them absolutely
out OF the reach OF the ordinary amateur
player. His arrangements and original
compositions alike abound IN color AMI
there II an inderinable charm about hln
playing that holds his Audiences spell
bound.
This is the final number upon the
eourse presented BY the smaha Retail
srsi association This course has been
of the very finest from a muscal stand
point and has been deservedly popular.
Too much communication cannot be given
20 this organization for presenting these
wonderful musical opportunities TO ths
community. and this last concert bids
fair to be one Of the greatest Of the
entire course. The program:
(a) sonata, A major. Handel
Cb) Fugue. A ...sTartin
Concerto In 70 uainor.........sM sMendelssohr
1. Allegro motto appassionato.
!. liissTettO non troppo; Allegro mOlt'
vivace.
Ea) Larghette lamentasa...... Godowsks
(b) Rondino Con q theme oy
Beethofenls ..........s. s...s hfeis!el
Song without words Msndelssoh
No) Moment Musical .......s...,, .Schuber
Sd) Ma1urka .s.-... - -. .s.s ,s.s NhoPii
(el Spanish Serenade. .Chaminade- kreisle
sa) Indian Lament .Dvorak- -Kreislel
<b) Vsenneee Popular Song. ..........A.
ssesssess..ss.ss..ses..- -ttfAtIs Wy hfNAetNi
CThe Old Retrain.l
(e) spanish Dance ...Granados- kreisie
"a Caprice Niennois ..'......... hreislel
.
In connection with the approaching per
formance OF the opera, "LAmore de
IRE Re-" by Montemezzi. which will b
pleyed by the Boston Grand Opera com
pany at the Auditorium the evening o
April Is. n Is interesting 20 note wha
H.sonard Lebling editor OF the Musiea
Courier IA New York has TO say about II
Mr.. IAebssng is upon one OF his tour
Investigating musical conditions through
out the country. and caught up wit
the opera company upon its present tou