Edward B. Scheve - 1906 Chicago

SCHEVE

Posted By: Marilyn Holmes
Date: 6/20/2016 at 19:48:35

Newspapers.com

The Chicago Daily Tribune
Tues., Feb. 27, 1906
Pg 8

Last evening in Orchestra hall there was performed for the first time in public an oratorio entitled, "Death and Resurrection of Christ." It is the composition of Edward B. Scheve, the organist and musical director of the German Baptist church of Chicago. It required for its presentation the services of the Thomas orchestra, five soloists, an organist, and a chorus of 200 singers from the church choirs of the city. I was able to hear only the first half of the work, but found this part pleasing and interesting. Mr. Scheve has written more in the cantata manner than in the oratorio, and he has written simply, melodiously, and singably. He has avoided the harshnesses and complexities of "modern" music and has not dived deep into the maze of polyphony and contrapuntal device. But he has the gift of fluent, pleasing melody, and he has penned a number of solos which are distinctly attractive because of their refined tunefulness and their singableness. And he has written several choruses which without being difficult are effective and pleasing. The work is one which should find strong favor with many choral societies who, seeking for a compostition which does not demand exceptional powers for its adequate presentment still avoids the cheap, the monotonous, and musically tawdry. Mr. Scheve has written tastefully and with no inconsiderable talent, and his work should find favor.

The performance last evening was chorally uneven, and therefore effective only in the simpler numbers. The soloists were Mrs. Scheve, soprano; Miss E. Grow, contralto; Holmes Cowper, tenor; G. Berndt, baritone; Albert Borroff, bass; and Eric Delamarter, organist.