The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1923-05-18
SUCCESS ACHIEVED
AUDIENCE PLEASED
Beautiful Cantata Was Pre-
sented Last Night
ELIJAH IS BOOKED
One Hundred Fifty Voices To
Take Part In Singing
Oratorio
JAMES DAVIES, MUSICAL CRITIC
FOR MINNEAPOLIS TRIBUNE

JAMES DAVIES, MUSICAL CRITIC
FOR MINNEAPOLIS TRIBUNE
Anyone doubling the genuineness
of Mankato's interest in affairs mu-
steal would have received a severe
shock last night passing by the Ar
mory to see the crowds Of people 60
ing in to hear the opening concert
of the first music festival ever held
here. Without publicity, or the right
kind of applied psychology, the pub
lie is not going to be led very far
out Of the humdrum scheme Of every
day life; but even with these ele-
ments, il people don't want . thing
publicity and psychology In the
world is not going to change them.
The people of Mankato and vicinity
want good music, they are willing to
support it, and all they need is the
knowledge of when and where. That
has been my experience OF this city
during the past few years and last
night proved no exception.
It was concert we'll worthy the
patronage of q music loving public
anywhere. The hard work of past
years Is now coming to fuller fruition
in the singing Of the members of the
Orpheus club. Drudgery il blessed
only when 1t produces results. and
results Of most satisfactory nature
have evolved out of the constant ef
forts OF the leaders Of this male
chorus. OF course the singing Is not
fiawless. singing never IS but on a
firm foundation has been built up =
musical organization Of which any
city might be proud.
There was hardly single slip in
the whole of the exacting program,
little hesitation of attack in parts
of the Vision of Sir Launfal" hard
ly effected the fine sweep of nara
tive as it was unfolded by the chorus
and soloists. It Is anathema to say
anything derogatory of the composer
of this cantata, but there is an irri-
tating rise and fall of quality In the
work. Sometimes q phrase would
suggest the purity and dignity of
PARTIAL, and no doubt Mr.. Cadman
felt the influence Of Wagner's perfect
knight, as he tried to mold more per
feet qualities OF his hero into his
musical scheme. Then why leave
simplicity and directness behind and
indulge in harmonic complications
certain amount Of dissatisfaction
r. 4.
Kinder To Tenor Soloist.
He was a little kinder to the tenor
solofst, who speaks of plain truths
In a plain manner and with q good
deal Of dignity, there were occasion
al touches of lsublimity IN both the
choruses and solos, but more fire.
quently a sentence begun in this
manner ends in deadly dull prose.
The wonder is that the chorus nego-
tiated the musical difficulties with
such perfection. Drifting around on an
a capeIla sea and finding their way
successfully amidst the progressive
difficulties of Cadman's music is
something to be proud of. and both
DR.. Lloyd and the members Of the
club are to be heartily congratulated
on their accomplishment.
The Bach number made a very
fine opening selection, and it was
rendered with beautiful taste, a love-
ly quality of tone, and the voices in
the various sections measured up to
each other splendidly, and this ex-
cellent opening was emphasized in
the singing of Mohr's, "The Altar OF
Truth. The exquisite pianissimo
captured the spirit of the text with
infallible sureness. The choir was
at its best in passages like that be-
ginning, Songs Sweetly Calling,
here there was delicacy of phrase
and sense Of contrasts that gave
strong emphasis to the poem. Where
greater intensity was required, both
in this and other selections, slight
weakness was apparent in the first
tenor section. Two or three voices
sang the tones too open, and under
such treatment a voice quickly be-
comes harsh and penetrating.
Program Of High Standard
While the program maintained q
high standard of excellence from be-
ginning to the end. certain selections
IN.sx;.u~a A. 49, -