RejsenTilAmerika_1912

65

CHICAGO

Saaledes skriver Felix Borowski i Chicago Record Herald: O rchestra Hall has not often held a more enthusiastic gathering than that which packed it almost to Ihe last seat when the Danish Student Singers, an organization connected with the University of Copen­ hagen, gave a concert there yesterday afternoon. The fervor of applause which greeted the eiforts of the visitors was not solely the result of delight in hearing choral singing that was surprisingly and, one may add, unexpectedly excellent; it was also an expression of patriotic emotion. And this patriotism was not made manifest hy Danes alone. The cheers and the waving of handkerchiefs were outward symbols of the pride of Scandinavia in the achievement of the race which the men from Denmark call their own. . . . Concerning the artistic qualities of the chorus from Copen­ hagen only praise must he set down. The singing is distinguished for a rem arkable degree of polish and refinement. The tone is excellent and the attack is such as results from rehearsals that have been conducted w ith more than ordinary care. Mr. Levysohn, choirmaster of the Copenhagen Opera, is the conductor, and, it may he presumed, has been responsible for the trai­ ning of the singers. He has made a choral organization which reflects great honor upon himself and upon the members who are part and parcel of it. The music is, or it was at this concert, turned into a message of real beauty. There was more than voice put into its inter­ pretation, more than the reading of works such as might he expected from unprofessional vocalists. Since a second concert will he given this evening this departm ent of the paper takes pleasure in stating that the perform ance will he well worth listening to. If the singing was above ihe average, the compositions which were set forth were also of finer quality than that which is associated with male choir music in general. Much can he said in favor of H art­ m ann ’s »College Song'«, and of the same composer’s »Hunter’s Chorus«, form his singspiel, »Syvsoverdag«. These works are not, it is true, of great intellectuality, hut they are endowed with real melody that is pleasurable w ithout being cheap. Much charm , too, is contained in Ihe folksong »Agnete and the Merman« and in the student song »Dans, Ropte Felen« hy Peter Heise—a composer who, himself a conductor of student choruses, was one of the most successful writers of Danish choral art. A setting of B u rn s’ »Cornin’ T h ro ’ the Rye«, made hy Helmuth, had very little in common with the tune fam iliar to most lovers of Scottish song. It was adm irably sung, as also was F. A. Reissiger’s music to B jornson’s »Olaf Trygvason.« Some of the most attractive eiforts of the afternoon were made hy two soloists—Helge Nissen, barytone, and Olaf Holboll, tenor. The former made evident a voice of fine tonal quality and of no little power. As Mr. Nissen is court singer to the King of Denmark it was to he presumed that his vocal powers would he of more than the average excellence; nor did he fail to come up to the standard expected of him. He sang with admirable feeling »The Great White Host,« a work which forms one of an album of pieces for male voices by Ed­ w ard Grieg, who published the collection as opus 30. Rejsen til Amerika °