Connecticut western news., 1919-06-12
43rd CONCERT AT THE
 NORFOLK MUSIC SHED
Generally Conceded Wednes-
 day Was Big Night of Season


 third concert at the Music Shed at the Norfolk home of MT. and Mrs Carl Stoeckel, patrons of the union This third concert in the series com prised no choral work and the mem bers of the chorus were part of the audience. The program was not so profound as the third night programs in previous years. It had consider able variety and the works and ren- ditions were appropriate and pleas ing. It is pretty generally admitted that the big concert of this season was that of Wednesday night when the chorus sang St. Saens' Samson and Delilah."
 The concert of Thursday night was rather informal and this proved to be an attractive feature. It opened with the rendition of Laucella' s symphonic impressions of the "Whitehouse", the home of MT. and Mrs. Stoeckel. This piece was com posed for the concert season of 1917 and when given at that time it capti- vated not only the audience but all the critics. It is an interpretation of the spirit of Norfolk hospitality and of the art of the Litchfeld County Choral Union. This work was re- ceived with enthusiasm equal to that manifested at its initial rendition. Next on the program was the singing of the aria from Puccini's "LaBohe- me" by Anna Case who was vigorous 1y applauded and recalled for two encores. The orchestra then ren- dered St. Saen' "Le Rouet d Om- phale", Stanford's "Jig from Irish Symphony Nand Tschaikowsky's Romeo and Juliet". This com pleted the first part of the program. The first work rendered in part 2 was new composition by Edgar Stillman Kelley, "Alice in Wonder land", described as series of panto- mime pictures for orchestra. It is musical interpretation of Louis Carroll's famous book for children Although rather long the piece did not weary the audience and all seem ed to enjoy it thoroughly from be- ginning to end. This work was com posed especially for this concert and it was conducted by it's composer in a splendid manner. The third origin al composition for this concert was by John Powell and entitled "Rhapso- die Negre", for piano and orchestra and MT. Powell played the pianoforte part himself. The composer has described his work as study in the religious emotion and excitement of the negro race. The work begins with the simple, primitive jungle aspirations and the scene is carried on through the simple cults of the American negro, this last phase be- ing represented by Swing Low Sweet Chariot" From this point the less desirable and wholesome develop ment oft he negro religion, the hys- teria and frenzy, is followed up to rhapsody in weird and questioning spirit. MT. Powell was applauded with great vigor and responded with an encore, "The Banjo Picker, an- other of his own compositions. He made quite hit with the audience and his coming again will be vel come event in the history of the union. The last orchestral number was the Funeral March of a Mari onette" by Gounod. The concert closed with recitation by Miss Syd- ney Thompson, "The Battle Hymn of the Republic. Miss Thompson wore a costume of patriotic colors and her recitation, accompanied by the or chestra, was one of the novel and yet most inspiring features of the music festival of this year. It was an ap- propriate ending for a festival of the allies" and particularly festival which kept the American spirit in predominance throughout. Miss Thompson made her first appearance last year at the Norfolk concerts when she recited parts of one of the oratorios. E
 This years festival, as has been remarked in those columns, proved that there has been no abatement of interest in music in this county dur ing the war and indicated even greater interest than was known in the past. The chorus grew in ex- cellence during the war period and there is no duobt that this growth will continue with greater impetus now that the world has again turned its attentions from the things invol- we'd in the great conflict to the greatest things in life, which include the development of art and litera- ture so sadly neglected during the past four years. The strength of the hold of music upon the people is indicated by the way in which the choral union stood the test of war conditions.
 At the close of each season those who have been in intimate touch with the work of the union have always looked forward to the next season with expectations of new triumphs and succeeding seasons have always brought these triumphs. The suc-