El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1919-02-17
Great Concert
Is GiUeN By
French Band
Visit Mexico, Establishing
A Precedent
Family All Heroes.

Patriotic airs, rhapsodies. the soft
ilulling music OF symphonies where
the reed instruments predominated,
and marches that have cheered the
soldiers in the trenches. were blended
in the program OF the concert given
by the French army band at Liberty
hall Saturday night. From the mo-
ment that the audience rose 20 the
playing OF The Star Spangled Ban
ner" and The Marseillaise" until the
last note OF Sambre ct Mouse had
died away. the audience sat en-
tranced.
The musicians are all soldiers. Sc
Iected from different regiments for
their exceptional musical talent, and
brought together into a band COM
posed entirely Of artists. Many OF
them were formerly members OF cele-
brated orchestras Of France. The di-
rector Of the band. Capt. Fernand
Pollain, toured the United States a
few years ago as solo cellOist for the
Paris Symphony orchestra, alternat-
ing with Alfred Corot-
Whole Family OF Patriots.
Nearly all the members Of the band
have seen service in the trenches, and
a number Of them have been Eassed,
wounded, and suffered the usual pri-
vatiOns and hardships Of trench fight
ing. Capt Pollain commanded a COM
pany Of infantry at the fighting at
Nerdun. and was decorated with the
croix de guerre for bravery. His
battalion was lost for IL hours in no
man STAND. and was caught between
the fires OF both the French and Ger
man armies. When the rescuing
troops arrived, his own son. a non
-
army. was the first to reach him,
where he lay exhausted in a shell
hole. Capt Pollain had four sons in
tie army and two daughters serving
as nurses. One OF his daughters had
received training as a nurse prior TO
the war and was given the rank OF
major during the hOstilities, and had
supervision Of a wing Of one OF the
hospitals. One son was killed and
one wounded; a third served %
months in the infantry and was after
wards transferred to the aviation
corps, connected with the artillery,
and served as observer. The fourth
son was on a French torpedo boat
Played Modern Music.
Only music OF the great modern
composers was put upon the pro-
gram" Capt Pollain stated, regard
Ing Saturday nights concert. "Phedre
Is one OF the great operas Of all time:
love Il for its melodies. The ballet
de Sylvia was written by the com
poser Of the opera Iakme.' which was
played in New York a year or two
ago" Gounod's music was men
toned, and he said: Yes, Gounod
was great, but not so great as some
OF these others. I could only have
used his ballet from Faust. and that
has been heard so often the public
mas tired somewhat Of it. The piano
solo 'BarcarOlle,' is by Gabriel Faure.
director Of the Paris Conservatory.
Gabriel Pierne. who wrote The
March OF the Little Leaden Soldiers
IS director Of the Concerto Colonne in
Paris"
''1Iadelon" was added as the first
march in the eighth number. by spe-
cial request and did not appear on
the printed program This march was
played everywhere by military bands
during the war. and Is familiar TO
American and all allied soldiers.
Visit Juarez-
The train bearing the band arrived
IN FL Paso Saturday afternoon after
crossing the entire state OF Texas.
The broad expanse Of territory aston
ished the French musicians. I'VE
could put all OF France in Texas and
lose It," one Of them remarked.
The band was taken in \ tour
ing car TO Juarez during the late
afternoon on a sightseeing trip.
II was said that this was the first
time since the days Of Marfmu-
Ian that French soldier has
been upon Mexican soil.
The musicians were delighted with
the quaint Mexican city; they saluted
every as they drove past. bought
Spanish newspapers and post csrdz
and mailed them forthwith back to
France with Mexican postage stamps
Il was said that they also drank OF
the win rouge" so dear TO the French
soldier.
One OF them remarked: There is
no personal freedom in the United
States. In Mexico there Is" He safd
this after he had been able to secure
a glass OF French wine in a Mexican
saloon.
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