Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1919-05-24
Minneapolis Symphony Or.
chestra Appears ia Two
Concerts Friday; Much
Credit Due Leader.

come the Minneapolis Symphony
orchestra. This western orchestra
has visited Omaha many times in
the past, but never has it appeared
to greater advantage. There is fine
quality in the different choirs,
finer quality than ever before. The
whole orchestra responds to the
least indication of the baton with
an ensemble which is finished in
the extreme, and the balance of
tone in contrast and combination is
always artistic and unsteady effec-
tive.
Unusual Conductor.
Mr.. Oberhoffer is an unusual con-
ductor. He possesses a marvellous
knowledge of his great instrument,
the orchestra. and conducts entirely
from memory. He possesses a keen
intellectual and artistic grasp of the
numbers presented, and he clothes
them with an individual charm and
style, which marks him as one of
the leading conductors before the
musical public of the present day
When such a conductor is supported
by such a splendid body of players
it is no wonder that results of great
est musical excellence are achieved.
The program was a most satisfy
ing one. The symphony presented
was the New World Symphony" by
Dvorak, in which the finish and mu-
steal qualities of the orchestra were
Immediately evident.
Largo" Especially Good.
There is an essential negro flavor
to the many tuneful themes of this
number. The Largo" was
especially beautiful, with its melody
sung by the English horn, and the
other woodwind effects. This was
played with almost poignant re-
strairst by the orchestra. In direct
contrast is the merry and humorous
Scheroz in canon form and
the marvellous finale, which
brought out the brasses and
the clarinet in various solo melo-
dies. The joyous and typical
rhythm of this movement, the big
climaxes; and the deft weaving in
of the various other themes of the
symphony make it a masterpiece
in itself.
The other large orchestral num-
Der was the Caprice Espagnol. by
Rimsky Korsakoff. This was new
to Omaha audiences, and proved to
be an amazing and remarkable feat
of Instrumentation. There were
many unusual effects such as the
flute and solo violin harmonics to-
gether and in contrast, the clever
use of the harp and triangle, and
the clarinet and cymbols. This big
number is essentially Spanish from
its warm and brilliant introduction
through the variations and gypsy
scenes, to the wild and dashing
Fandango, and rhythmic dramatic
close.
Former Omahan Heard.
Guy Woodland, the concert mas
ter, and former resident of Omaha,
was heard to excellent advantage in
the solo parts of this number. He
possesses a beautiful tone and plays
with great musical taste.
Miss Emma Noe, dramatic So
soprano, made distinct impression,
both by her beauty of voice and her
intelligent, musicianly singing. Her
brilliant Interpretation of the aria
"Ritorna Vincitur," from Aida" by
Verdi, won her an enthusiastic en-
core. "A Dawning," by Cadman,
sang by Miss Harriet Mcconnell,
also brought pleasure to the pro-
gram with a contralto aria, 20 My
Immortal Harp" from "Sapho," by
Gounod. She also responded with
a second number.
The surprise of the evening was
the versatile Mr.. Cox. who appeared
as violin soloist, in two movements
of the Bruch concerto with the Or
chestra. For most people the man
agement of such an important mu-
steal event as the Minneapolis SYM
phony orchestra would be all that !
they would care to undertake. But
Mr.. Cox not only managed the two
concerts, but found time to prepare
himself as a soloist besides. He
gave a most enjoyable Interpretation |
of this favorite concerto, playing
with care for tone and musical ef-
feet. He was given most cordial
reception, and responded with an en-
core, Berceuse by GODDARD, played |
with harp accompaniment.
Great credit is due Mr.. Cox for |
bringing these great treats to Oma-
ha, and the audience showed its ap-
probation both by its numbers and
its cordially and courtesy.
Play For Children.
The matinee concert given by the
Symphony orchestra at /
the Auditorium was most delight
full affair. 1t was given in conjunc-
ton with the Omaha public schools.
and the audience was made up for
the most part of school children, gay
with bright dresses and hair ribbons,
so that the Auditorium looked for
all the world as Mrs. Keene Abbott
remarked, Like box of Christmas
candies all wrapped in different col
ored paper"
What merry crowd it was and
what courteous one. / do not
know which was the finest, the mu-
sic of the orchestra or the attention
Of the children. The audience was
as quiet coming in as a real grown
up concert audience, and the atten-
ton with which the young people
listened to the music was so marked
that Mr.. Oberhoffer turned after the
fourth number and congratulated,
them upon it. He said that he had
recently been to another city where
there was an audience of 600 chill