“Beethoven’s ‘Coriolanus’ overture was played by the New York Philharmonic Orchestra this season. The Filharmonic Fathers should have been provided with free transportation to Philadelphia in order to learn how one conductor can mar and another make the same composition. This Philadelphia Coriolanus was a hero indeed, who walked with erect head and proud chest. There was no rheumatism in his knees and there was no crick in his back. When his mother pleaded she spoke in accents human and loving. Her voice was softly attuned. It sang a song that Coriolanus did well to heed. Scheel’s graphic characterization made the Philharmonic performance appear in the memory like almost a travesty.” * * * * * _Musical Courier_, April 1, 1903: “At the end, when the composer abandons absolute music and turns to song, Philadelphia’s own distinguished choral body, the Mendelssohn Club, came to the support of the musicians, and the beautiful ‘Hymn of Joy’ was brilliantly sung. As a quartet for the solo part, Mrs. Marie Kunkel-Zimmerman, Mrs. Osborne, Nicholas Douty and Mr. Schurig did brilliant work. Altogether the playing of this Ninth Symphony formed a fitting climax to this memorable week devoted to the great master’s own musical history.” * * * * * “After the performance of the overture, Scheel was presented with a floral wreath, lyre and harp, and John H. Converse on behalf of the Directors of the orchestra, bestowed upon him a bronze bust of Beethoven, in well chosen words of compliment and congratulations.”