The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1930-12-12
Sees MESSIAH AS
OPENING MUSICAL
ERA IN BISMARCK
Larsen Hopes Production Will
Stimulate Adult Interest
j..
in Melodic Art

Messiah" Sunday night at the city ,
auditorium may lead to renewed In
terest in music among Bismarck's
adult population was expressed today
by Clarion Larsen, director Of the
production.
The performance, which will be
free, will begin at 8:l5 o'clock and
will last approximately an hour and
a half.
1T is a significant thing that most
of the interest in music now manifest
in Bismarck exists among the juven-
lie population" Larsen said. We
have a number of fine instructors In
the musical arts but their pupils are
children. for the most part.
Adults of the community realize |
the advantage of giving their children
a musical education but seem to be ,
missing, at least in part. the real
pleasure which they could derive by
participating in musical affairs them
selves.
I'm presenting The Messiah on a
modest scale we hope to quicken the
interest of Bismarck's adults in must
cal things. I am certain there is SUI
ficient talent in the community to
give Bismarck some fine performances
if it al be interested and brought
| together on a. common ground Of
musical fellowship"
Likes Sangerbunds
Illustrating his suggestion, Larsen
said that communities which support
\ CO.. rorb,rSolc aSA o&sna(lnx, SAasanlAn1 -
! CARNATIONS not only take keener de-
light in musical productions which
are sponsored locally but show a more
critical appreciation Of visiting pro-
auctions.
As it will be given here Sunday
night, Larsen said, Handel's oratorio
will be presented On a relatively small
scale, although about 60 persons will
take part in it.
OF these there will be 20 In the or
chestra, IS in the chorus and four So
loists. A large part Of the chorus will
be taken from the Trinity Lutheran
church choir but other churches and
organizations will be represented and
Larsen pointed out that the produc-
ton Is on a non-sectarian basis.
AS originally written, Larsen said,
The Messiah" required about three
hours to give. To meet modern o
ditions. however, some parts Of the
production have been eliminated and
others have been shortened.
Although presented in song, the
oraterio, Larsen explained, takes its
name from the religious plays which
were common in the Middle Ages and
which then constituted the principal
form of dramatic expression. Except
for certain material differences, he
said, the oratorio as 1t is presented
today might be termed the grand
opera" of religious music. = =
The principal point of difference is
that there is no acting In an orato-
rio, the only dramatic expression COM
Ing In the Interpretation Of the score
by orchestra, chorus and soloists.
Tenor Is Visitor
The latter are Rev. r. A. Ofstedahl;
Valley City, tenor; Mrs. w. j. Tar
CART, soprano: Miss Miriam Knauf,
contralto; and Lorenzo H. Belk, bass.
OF the 81 numbers in the oratorio
as 1t will be given here, the overture
and the pastoral symphony, which
come as an intermission, are for the
orchestra alone. The chorus has
eight numbers and the remaining 81
selections are divided almost equally
among the soloists.
It will be the first time in years
that q musical production similar In
size and musical importance to 1.-THE
Messiah" has been given in Bis
marck, Larsen said. He is not certain
that n has ever been given here be-
fore.
An Easter cantata was given sew
eral years ago but the cantata takes
q lower place in the ranking of must
cal productions than does the orato-
rio, he said. the difference being in
the difficulty of the music and the
weight Of the theme.
II the forthcoming presentation Of
1.-THE Messiah" is successful and
creates sufficient interest, Larsen
said. it may be possible to have a
much larger chorus in similar pro-
ductions in the future.