The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1919-04-29
Orchestral
Concert Good
Minneapolis Symphony Orchestra
Pleases keokuk Audiences
on Its Visit Here.
written by clara Gertrude Fry.l

Two of the most delightful con-
certs ever given in Keokuk were
presented yesterday in two perform
ances. afternoon and evening. by the
Minneapolis Symphony orchestra, un-
der the auspices Of the Monday Mu-
! sic club.
The conductor of this splendid
organization is Mr.. Emil Oberhoffer.
Mr.. Oberhoffer in his directing Is
poet and painter merging the
rythm of the composition into the
colors OF the orchestral palette with
exquisite effect His phenomenal
mentality is evinced not alone In his
/ directing entirely without score
before him, but through his thorough
understanding of the structure of the
composition and knowledge OF the
idea in the mind OF the composer
(which furnished the inspiration from
which the colossal movements
sprang
He directs with authority and skill.
possessing a dominating personality
which sways the orchestra under his
| baton and holds his audience spell
bound His clear, definite enuncia-
ton of the great thought figure in
each movement of the symphony and
delivers TO his audience a clearer
conception of the themes than Is
usually presented.
Mr.. Oberhoffer's insight penetrates
the mystery of Tschaikowsky's pro
found musicianship, uncovering the
innermost soul secrets Of this emil
nent Russian composer.
In the second movement from the
symphony number five, presented in
the afternoon. we find a most i'm
passioned romanza 1t has been
called "the very apothesis of a night
of nightingales. soft and seldom
footed dells. a soft moon and dream
ing tree leaves"
Most Russian Of All.
This symphony has been termed
the most Russian of all Tschaikow-
sky's symphonies, many of its themes
being founded upon the folk songs
OF that country
In the F minor symphony played
on the evening program we find the
strong influence which the lyrical
beauty of the Italian composers ex-
ercised upon his style Of compost
! ton at this time. and which was
never quite remo7ed.
The ravishingly sweet and grace
full second movement and the Scherzo
pizzicai ostinato-displaying the ex-
| travagance of humor sometimes
characteristic OF the Russian-are
placed between a long dignified first
movement and a last movement
which is filled with the tragic pas
sion of his race Marvelously gloomy
eloquence characterizes his instru'
mentation.
1t is interesting to know that by
profession Tschaikowsky was a law
yer.
Special tribute should be made OF
every number presented by the or.
chestra on both programs, but suf-
| flee it to say the chief Characters
I tics of each composer were wildly
/ portrayed-the originality in orches-
tration Of Rimsky Korsakoff, another
| Russian composer; the versatility OF
| Percy Granger, who is a piano vir-
tuoso, the combination of complexity
and simplicity in his works which at
all times are unique; the popularity
of Ponchielli, Italian composer; the
! melodious, sweet flowing style oil
! Herold, which savors of the Italian
/ school; the exquisite coloring, har.
monte boldness, exotic intervals and
rythms Of the prince of Scandinavian
musicians, Grieg; the interesting and
serious compositions Of our own
American composer, Cadman, and