Matthiessen's Alkahest Chautauqua Band and Orchestra

              MATTHIESSEN'S ALKAHEST CHAUTAUQUA BAND AND ORCHESTRA


Figure




J. P. Matthiessen, Director Exclusive Management—Alkahest Lyceum System, Atlanta, Ga.





Note to Chautauqua Managers



T
O supply the demand for a great Chautauqua musical attraction, the Alkahest Lyceum System has organized and presents to its patrons for the coming season the Alkahest Chautauqua Band and Orchestra.  This magnificent organization, both in solo and ensemble work, is an aggregation of artists carefully selected and specially drilled.  This band is under the direction of Prof. J. P. Matthiessen, one of the most skillful and accomplished band and orchestra directors in this country.  Among the many soloists of this great band are Mr. H. G. Wood, who studied in Boston and has played in all the principal cities of the South; Mr. A. B. Rische, a finished 'cellist and one of the special attractions of each program.  The trombone quartette is also an interesting and attractive feature of this band and orchestra.




Music is an important and a difficult proposition with every Chautauqua management.  It is an indispensable feature of every program.  To secure that combination of band and orchestra—and at reasonable cost—which shall satisfy the demand of out-door concerts and platform work, is the problem.  The Alkahest Lyceum System congratulates itself upon having met this demand in this splendid organization of both band and orchestra of ten finished musicians.  Write for dates and terms.




Alkahest Lyceum System





Introduction by Lou J. Beauchamp



Figure
Alban B. Rische




Mr. S. Russell Bridges, English-American Building, Atlanta, Ga.




Dear Mr. Bridges:-




This introduces Mr. Alvan Rische, for past three seasons 'cello soloist with Carrico's Orchestra.  He certainly can play the 'cello, having captured the audience at De Funiak Springs, Fla., these three years past.  He wants to do something for himself.  I have referred him to you because of your knowledge of music and your advice and suggestions would be of help to him.  You can hear him play and believe it might be mutually advantageous.  He has the right kind of aspirations and is certainly a wonderful player.  I hope you can be of service one to the other.




Respectfully,
Lou J. Beauchamp





Georgia Chautauqua



A 'cello solo, 
Thou Sublime Evening Star,
 from Tannhauser (Wagner), faultlessly rendered by Mr. A. B. Rische, of Carrico's Orchestra, was one of the most delightful numbers of the entire program.  Mr. Rische knows his instrument, and handles it with consummate skill.  In addition to his splendid technique, he has the soul of a musician, which shines forth in the expression and feeling which he imparts to his rendition of selections from the masters.  It is hard to see how last night's program could have been improved upon.  In its entirety it was an artistic triumph and in its details it was a succession of triumphs for those who participated in it.  —


Albany, Ga., Herald





De Funiak Springs Chautauqua



One of the strong attractions, musically, at the Florida Chautauqua this season were the 'cello solos of Alvan Rische, a member of the Carrico Orchestra.  On every occasion he rendered his solos in such an artistic manner that it was a pleasure to all who heard him.  —


De Funiak Springs, Fla., Herald





Atlanta, Georgia



Mr. A. B. Rische rendered on the 'cello, Wagner's 
Evening Star.
  The accompaniment by Matthiessen's Orchestra made the solo one of the prettiest parts of the program.  —


Atlanta, Ga., Constitution





Houston, Texas



Last evening, the Conservatory studios were crowded with those eager to hear the 'cello numbers which were contributed by A. B. Rische, rendered with a richness and fullness of harmony entrancing in its effect.  —


Houston, Texas, Post







Figure
The Trombone Quartette



Opinions of the Press




Atlanta Georgian May 26, 1908


Matthiessen's Orchestra again proved the distinctive hit and most pleasing feature of the week's program of vaudeville at the Casino, and this is said without reflecting upon the Vaudeville bill which embraces a number of pleasing acts.




Atlanta Constitution May 26, 1908


That which deserves especial mention and would at any season of the year is Matthiessens' Band.  It is without doubt the best collection of musicians ever put in front of foot-lights in this city.




Altanta Constitution June 1, 1908


Matthiessen's Orchestra will play the overtures and incidental music and there has never been a better Orchestra in the South.






Figure

Harry G. Wood, Cornet Soloist




Harry G. Wood, the cornet soloist, a brilliant graduate of several masters of the instrument, is himself an authority on this vitally important part of any band or orchestra.  He has been identified with a number of high-class musical organizations, and is to-day in great demand.  He has linked his future, with that of the other stars of the Matthiessen aggregation, and will be one of the features of all concerts, band or orchestra.






Ponce De Leon Park

Atlanta's Playground


OFFICE OF MANAGER




Atlanta, Ga., May 5th, 1908




Mr. J. P. Matthiessen
Bandmaster, Ponce De Leon Band, City




Dear Sir:  -




You will please bear in mind, that I shall expect you to retain the service of Cornetist Harry G. Wood, as one of the soloists for this season.  His work in the orchestra of the Bijou has satisfied all of us that he is possessed of unusual ability, and it will be essential to the success of our purposes this summer that you place Mr. Wood in both the Band and the Casino Orchestra, and I shall expect that you frequently assign him to solo work.  Personally I think Mr. Wood is the cleverest cornetist I can recall, for his work has pleased me better than any other musician using the instrument.




Very truly,
H. L. Cardoza, Manager



Orchestra





OVERTURE — Wiener Jubel


Suppe




PARAPHRASE — On Old Kentucky Home


Lange




VENETIAN SUITE —


Nevins




WALTZ — Vienna Woods


Strauss




MEDLEY — Selection, Mlle. Modiste


Herbert




'CELLO SOLO —
A. B. Rische

SPANISH DANCE — Vito


Popper




OVERTURE — Rienzi


Wagner




Busy Bee


Th. Bendix




SELECTION — Carmen


Bizet




MARCH — Queen of Sheba


Gounod





Band





MARCH — My Maryland


Weldon




SUITE — Looking Upward


J. P. Sousa




OVERTURE — Il Gunary


Gomez




Miss Mexico


Frantzen




SELECTION — Mephistopheles


Borta




BALLET — Music from Faust


Gounod




MEDLEY — Time, Place and the Girl


Howard




CORNET SOLO — Lost Chord
H. G. Wood
Sullivan


WALTZ — Dream of the Ocean


Gungle




SEXTET — From Lucia
Six Slide Trombones
Donizetti



MARCH — Tannhauser


Wagner