Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-03-27
AMERICAN MUSIC.
The Signal Success of the First Concert
Of Promising Series.

Such representative showing of what Amer
lean composers have done in music as that of
last evening in Lincoln Music hall has never
before been given in single concert in this
country. Mrs. Jeanette NJ. Thurber has
added another to her many services to our ma
tive musical art by arranging this series Of
American concerts, of which last evenings was
the initial one. Such series could not fail
vastly to increase the honor in which our
prophets in music are held in their own cNun-
try, for it would show to the music lovers Of
the United States that we have a school of COM
posers with something to say and the ability to
say it in noble and BETTING musical utterance,
school animated by lofty aims and
sincere purposes, equipped abundantly in
knowledge and technical means. and
best of all urged on by real creative
impulse. These things were exemplified in
many different lights by the concert last even
ing, in which neither variety or dignity we're
lacking. There were four orchestral works
that must be called of capital importance.
Arthur Foote's overture I'm the Mountains" is
beautiful piece of solid and well expressed
musical thought serious, almost severe, though
1t be; its Instrumentation is charming in its va
riety and tirmness of texture. Most thoroughly
individual Is Mr.. MacDOwelrs symphonic poem
'Ophella there is something in this brilliant
young composers gift Of quaint and charming
melody that is much in harmony with such a
subject, and he has wrought with means which,
though now and then somewhat too obviously
intended to secure originality of effect. are
thoroughly characteristic and in keeping with
the subject which he illustrates. Prof. Paine
directed his own contribution to the evenings
program, the prelude to his 'Oedipus' music. a
composition of almost as classical dignity and
severity OF outline is the great drama it pre-
hgures. \ different spirit of tragedy, more
dlstlnctively modern in feeling, is that which
inspires Mr.. Chadwick's "Melpomene" overture,
hcry and vehement in its passionate drectness
and scored with great richness and
accurate knowledge of effect. These, the
corner stones of the evenings pro-
gram. were set off by delightful
variety OF interesting matter. Mr.. Arthur
Whiting played with neatness and crispness of
touch three charming piano pieces of
his own. Miss Maud Powell did much for
Mr. Huss in her splendid performance of his
elaborate romance and poonaise for violin;
Miss karyss showed dramatic power in Mr..
GleasOn's aria, which would be SO much more
enjoyable if the richness of its orchestral &C
compartment were somewhat diversified and
modified. and Miss Everest sang three dainty
and CHARACTERISTIC little songs with much SYM
pathy; the orchestra added the contribution
of an elegant trifie of Autumn Buds, a taking
movement from Arthur Yields italia" suite
which he himself conducted, and Dudley
Bucks enhancement of THE Star Spangled
Banner. with devices foreign to the patriotic
ear, but undeniably effective to the musicians.
The American composers at last nights show
exemplified Enthusiastically their sympathy
with the forms and methods and general char
acteristics OF the modern schools of compost
ton. The Interpretation of program" in
the ideal that each has apparently set before
himself in the larger forms of music and the
devices of orchestration are no less those of
the modern school than is the impelling motive
of all this music. 1t is we'll that this so, with
school OF composers who have yet their past to
leave behind them and the vitality that was SO
amply exhibited in the various works Of Amer
lean origin that could furnish forth program
of such interest and variety, speaks of waxing
strength and coming esteem that are In store
for the American composer. The orchestra
last evening, which was under Mr.. Van Der
Suckers vigorous and discreet direction. was
body of exceptional capabilities for one so
temporary in its organization. Its playing, if
not always as finished and as refined as posi-
bic, was full of contrast of well-marked elab-
orations and excellent in tone, quality and
balance
The upper boxes on the right of the pros.
cenium arch were occupied last night by Mrs.
HeaNt and a party of guests, including Miss
Florence Bayard, Miss Hilyer and the Misses
Ferrer. Mr.. Sam Ward with his daughter, the
Countess Schoenberg, had one of the boxes on
that side the house. On the opposite side of the
arch Representative and Mrs Chas. Ii. Gibson
and their friends had box, and Mr.. and Mrs.
Chas. Nordhoff were with Mrs. Thurber in the
other one Below Mrs. McAlister Laughton,
Mrs. Scott Townsend and Senator and Mrs.
Gray had the box nearest the stage and the
other was reserved for the presidential party
and was occupied by Mrs. Mckee and Secretary
L. j.. Halford during the rendition of the sec
ond part OF the program.