Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1919-05-19
BONNET GIVES
|. OMAHA A RARE
SHOW OF MUSIC
Celebrated French Master of
Organ Plays Wonderful
Program at st. c.
CeIia's Cathedral.
By HENRIETTA M. REES.


the greatest musical treats which
has ever fallen to the lot of Oman;
people,
The organ, most complicated O.
all musical instruments, is more
like an orchestra than SIMPLE in,
strument. and a musician who at
.tains the front rank as an organist
is the musician among musicians
Joseph Bonnet is one of those rare
examples of veritable genius. Hi!
musicianlv qualities. his marvellous
and amazing technic, his prodigious
memory, and the beauty of his com.
positions. alike proclaim him as
among the chosen few in the realm
of music.
Program a Wonder.
The program he presented was q
most difficult one. and essentially
classic in character. 1t would be
enough for most organists to be
able to plav it at all, and to plav i,
we'll and with the score in sight they
would win for themselves an inn
nortant position in musical favor
But he presented the entire program
without one note of music. and with
a finish and charm which is rarely
found in these complicated and ire
mendous musical works. Yet these
numbers are only few of his rep
ertoire.
He has unusually clear cut rhymth
and his phrasing was so distinct and
graceful as to prove a constant de-
light.
The themes and melodies of the
various voices were always clearly
defined. and artistically sung, and
there was never an inartistic pause
to effect a single change of registra-
ton. such as sometimes seems in
evitable with even widely known
and accomplished organists.
Mr.. Bonnet is a postmaster OF
the techr;c of the organ, and the
technic of the organ is the most
difficult Of all musical technic. He
has not only fluency of fingers. but
a velocity Of bravura of pedal tech
mic which requires the most con-
summate skill and accuracy.
There are many beautiful stops to
be fo,nd in this new Casavant or
pan, the gift Of Mr.. Frank Burkley.
An exquisite flute tone would some
times peep out in solo, or a warmly
voiced reed would be heard sing
ing in contrast to the organ or
string tone, as the fancy of Mr..
Bonnet dictated.
The full organ has a ringing SON.
ority which makes possible dra-
matte climaxes and a majestic
breadth of sound most impressive.
Beauties of Music Displayed.
Mr.. Bonnet's share of the program
opened with a group of three num-
bers from the early composers, fore
runners of Bach. A joyous "Pre-
lude." by purcell; an interesting and
quaint "Recit de Tierce en- Tale u
bv De Grignv. and a charming
prelude" by Clerambault, in which
the piccolo in combination gave a
graceful bell-like effect.
Mr.. Bonnet presented the Can
tasia and Fugue" in G minor, by
Bach, at a delightfully."- rapid tempo
and with tremendous dramatic ef-
feet.
The tenth organ concerto by
Handel. with its beauteous adagio,
and brilliant fast movement which
followed, also gave the organist op-
portunity to display both his artis-
tic Interpretation and his great
vitruosity. The smaller numbers of
the program were all played with
repose and individual charm, and
varied tone color.
The three compositions of his
own which Mr.. Bonnet presented
were most interesting. There was
much beauty of melody and ease of
expression and fertility of imagi-
nation to be found in all of them,
and the registrations brought out
many varied beauties of the organ.
In his CARNATIONS de Concert" Mr..
Bonnet surpassed himself. A bril-
liant cadenza, on the pedal key
board, with the feet alone, was
played with a skill one hardly
imagined possible. Arpeggios. swift
runs, and thirds and chords followed
each other in rapid sequence in this
brilliant portion, ever working up
to the tremendous climax with
which the number closed.
Choral Society Sings Well.
The Catholic Choral society,
under the baton of ]. H. Simms,
presented three religious numbers
in English with excellent musical
effect. This society has only been
rehearsing two months, but it is a
great credit to Mr.. Simms, and to
the singers themselves that each
number was presented with fniss,
and an ensemble of which many an
older organization could be proud.
Attack, phrasing and expression
were always regarded, and the re-
suits were highly satisfying.
Future appearances of this So
ciety will be awaited with interest.
Mr.. Harry Burnley and Mrs. Bertha
Coffey Ahsmann were heard to ad-
in the solo parts witt, the
choir. Miss Winifred Traynor
played the accompaniment for the
choir with excellent taste and ability.
"Muffed" the "Marseillaise."
It was unfortunate that the an
nouncement that Mr.. Bonnet would
play the "Marseillaise" at the close
Of the program was not understood
by the audience. 1t was more I'M
fortunate, when Mr.. Bonnet started
to play it, that all of the audience
did not immediately stop and stand
at attention. 4 r number of them
did, but this terrible lack of courtesy
on the part of the audience was the
result of ignorance and thoughtless-
ness on the part of those who so
offended, and was in no way meant
IS lack of appreciation for the
s,sk r..