Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1886-02-11
A SCHUMANN RECITAL
Lately Given by the Pupils Of Mt.
De ChantaI.
The German Masters Romantic and
Beautiful Music Skiifslly Inter
preted by the Performers.

In the long series OF musical entertain
at Mt de Chantal, extending
through the whole period of the existence
that institution, their are some whose
characteristic beauty and brilliant success
i impressed them indelibly on the minds OF
all who heard them. Each entertainment
being designed 10 honor some tsvorlte
composer, the programme was devoted
entirely to the works Of that master, and a
fuller knowledge of his style, his power
and his rank as a musical composer was
thus attained. Following this custom OF
previous years, the pupils of the Mount
have this week given US a recital OF no
common merit, and n which stands
second to none in the beauty OF the selec'
tions and he skill OF the performers.
ROBERT sCHUMANN,
the head of the modern school OF compost
4ion, was the chosen genius OF the occa'
sion, and a few words relative TO his career
az musician may not be smiss. This
great composer was born in 1910, and be-
ing Of an earnest and thoughtful nature
devoted his early years 10 hard study in the
Universities of Leipsic and Heidelberg.
Although in his youth he gave to the world
many fragments OF much beauty, he re-
served the real works Of his genius tor hia
maturer years, and reached the zenith OF
his power in l849. From that time we
find him gradually nearing the tear
full gulf in which his
life made shipwreck, and two
years before his death, in 1856, be became
hopelessly insane. In his wife, Clara
Week, Schumannf found sympathetic com
partnership, and q loving. faithful inter
prefer for the great thoughts and lofty
sentiments with which his works abound,
and since mis- death she has perpetuated
his memory throughout Earops by her
magnificent rendition OF his finest works.
Schumaun combines in his creations
THE ROMANTIC ELEMENT
with great purity and depth of thought
and much spiritual beauty, aud rlghtt1lIy
claims a place upon the exalted pedestal
classical mastership. Although he 10 es-
p~ecially a piaDo.forte composer, his aOngs
are very numerous aud in some respects
rank among the greatest and uoblest that
exist. Their value rests principally on
their spiritual depth, and this fac!
renders even the simplest OF
them difficult. They are 80 short
as to sstonish the hearer and require the
singer who wishes to portray their full
beauty 10 give up mind and heart com
pletely 10 tue sentiment they embody. In
this abandonment of self lies the difficulty
for the Young, whose timid nature shrlGks
from all manifestation Of sentiment. The
Schumaun recital was opened by Miss
Alice Glouinger, who read "Schumaun
and His Music" TIE sketch Of Schu-
MAINS life with a short analysis Of
HIS STYLl or COMPOSITION
was intelligsutly read by Miss Glonipger
ana formed an appropriate Introduction to
the evenings entertainment. Other read
lugs interpreted among the musical Sc
~lecrions were first, "Panceatius in the
Arena" by Eleanor Donnelly, retilcd bg
Miss Julia Doyan. The scene is one OF
great moral beauty and vac clearly and
wildly portrayed; second, Gifts q poem
By Emma Eazarus, lead by Miss Lille
PotYin. This poem comprises the gifts
bestowed on the ancient ~na,ion': Wtalth
the Egyptians, beauty on the Greeks,
power on the Romans, truth on the He
brews The poem found q good interpreter
in Mis- Potvin, who read it with spirit
aud appreciation OF lis deep thoughts aud
noble sentiments; third, "Ministering
Spirits" d composition writen and read
by Mlss Bsll Dent. This was n personiti
cation Of air, rain and light, and G con.
t,ast OF their miGistrations o man, with
thOsc of Guardian Angel, The compost.
ton showed some play of fancy aud a
study OF nature aud was read distinctly
AID with good infection,
Having already commented at length on
Schumsnn's style, it remains only TO give
idea of the manner IN which
II YOUTHFUL PERFORMERS
acquitted themselves.
Miss Nora Eerrlsh, Of Bermuda, sang
Spring Night with credit to herself, and
more self possession than on previous oc'
c]ssioas.
% Thou'rt Like q Flower" vas sung
very well hy Miss Jane Humes, of Ablug-
don, whose pure, sweet voice has gained
in volume, and suited admirably
the genlle style Of tnis lovely song. A
vocal quartette, "Gsily ~Tambourine, |
Swing Thee" next claimed our attention.
Misses Daisy Bell, Jennie Quinn, Mary
Hagan and Mary Donohue gave u
this little gem in q spirited style, and their
fresh voices blended most plessingiy in the
beautiful harmony. The contralto song,
Two Grenadiers, wasreudered with much
finish by Miss Mary Donshue. Of Grafton,
whose superior culture ana maturity OF
tone cortTasted very agreeabIy with the
lesa developed voices Of those who preceded
her.
OF
HI INSTRUMENTAL SELECTIONS.
Three are deserving of special mention
Miss Jane Humes played Liszt's mastery
transcription of Schumann's exquisite
song, Devotion 10 & style worthy of the
composition. The technique was perfect,
the depth and tenderness which
seemed TO pour the whole strength ola
nature at the feet of the "Adored
one" LETT nothing 10 be desired.
MISS Jennie Quinn, Of Ssudusky pat
such fire and spirit into Soaring Alofi.'
hat the audience had 10 difficulty in l5l-
ling the ideas of the composer il hi5 az.
.2r L,gher ideals, vai!2 the
.ovellettsa pl4Jvd by Miss Julia DoEsn,
displayed more sweetness aud tranquility