Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1923-09-21
SOUSA'S Band
THRILLS AUDIENCE
Americas March King APP
pears in Person-"The Vic
tory Ball" Seedlings Fan
tasy, Grips Listeners-Fav-
Orite Marches Played

GOrged with music at CITY nan, Dut
the walls did not fall-Sousa, the
Sousa. the March King and his band
were there in full strength. The need
of an auditorium for Augusta was
again pronounced, when City hall was
filled with music lovers, who were
overwhelmed with the storm OF
music. But again, the crowd. while
it filled the up stairs and half filled
the down stairs, would not have
made much of an Impression in an
auditorium. So there you are.
But the applause was spontaneous
and the appreciation was sincere.
Sousa, himself. was there and that
topped the enjoyment of the after
noon. Two years ago. Augusta adj
mirers were disappointed in not see
ing him in action.
With a band of over 60 musicians,
Sousa directed a program over two
hours in duration. He was most gen.
erous in encores, favoring with his
marches, many of which have been
favorites for years.
1.-THE Victory Ball. fantasy, the
latest completed work by Smelling.
was perhaps the most impressive or
the afternoon, in its way. The score
bears the inscription, ITO the mem
DRY of an American Soldier" The
fantasy is based on Alfred NoyeS
poem. THE Victory Ball. To salts
factorily enjoy it. one should be ia
miliar with the poem. When the pro-
gram was arranged this was borne IN
mind, because the poem was printed
on the program,
Weird. to say the least. 1.-THE Vic
tory Ball began. Out of the initial
weirdness developed tune and about
the tune swirled notes. higher and
higher, until a mass of chords rose.
StanZa after stanZa struggled with
one another and then resolved into a
lighter melody. which even so, was
still ponderous and n creature of
doubts. Hesitancy. then fiippancy
brought in by the noise of the tam
BOURNE and this in turn was drown
ed by the low reedy tones. They We're
mistakenly sweet and slow and an
other strain found expression.
Returning to the initial strain. the
repetition was by times monotonous.
But this was relieved with the cas-
tencts. which sounded almost Span
ish. Lost in q maze of music almost.
an uncertain quality of noises came
into minor strain, tantalizing in
it's Incompetence.
An. there is a familiar strain. But
no. it was but another weird cousin.
Then came a jerky. hectic strain
which was closely followed by a deaf
ening, dulling tramp, tramp, with the
cornet calling, clear and loud above
it. 1t came louder and louder and
then softened away into nothing
ness.
A dull boom, still persistent drum
or two, Il brassy echo. Refer to the
noem: -"Shadow of dead men stand
nv the wall. Watching the fun OF the
Victory Ball. They do not reproach.
because they know, If they're forgot
ton, it's better So 1t was the dead
men talking.
Drowned almost by the blare of the
trumpets, aided by the drums, the
talking" was pushed, for the time
being, into oblivion. A martial strain
found expression, only to thin out
again, re-echoed in thin brasses. A
dead silence.
Sweetness, maybe "Ox-eyed ma
tron and slim white girl" 1t might
have been an echo from the land or
honey and cream instead of the
dance, after the war. But sinister
strain undermined it. grew louder and
grew into n ponderous noise, crash
upon crash, leaving only the drum.
Leagues away, the cornet sounded
taps and the deep grumble of the
heavy tones of the harp found the
echo. 1t was terribly beautiful
thing and bitter, 1.-The Victory Ball"
by Schelling.
No concert by Sousa's band would
be complete without Sousa's marches
and every time the band started one,
even before the announcer appeared,
bearing the card, there was a ripple
of appreciation. School day men,
cries found expression in The Stars
and Stripes Forever" and it was a
thrilling burst of music. when the
seven flies, eight comets and six
slide trombones, stood in q straight
row in front and played.
In spite of the cramped conditions
for the marvellous feast of music, one
could not help but be impressed by
the finesse and beauty Of it all. The
finished product, Sousa's own COM
positions, played by Sousa's band and
directed by the composer. 1t was
keenest enjoyment to sit there and
observe one OF the worlds leading
march kings conduct his band with
all the pep" and assurance which
brings about results.
Besides Mr.. Sousa and his band,
there was Miss Marjorie Moody. pos
SCISSOR of a sweet soprano voice, who
sang Shadow Song" (Mayerbeer),
in an accomplished style. Her rem
dition Of Victor Herberts waltz hit.