Capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1893-1895, 1894-12-06
MISS Hay Cooks Concert.

Miss Cooks fiat piano concert
at Salem since her return from Berlin
was given Wednesday evening at the
M. r.. church before the finest audi
euce that has ever greeted single in
strumental performer here. The first
number comprised sonata in G major
by Beethoven, followed by an adagio
Of wonderful sweetness, an exquisite
thing, followed by "The Last Hope" 7"
one Of the old favorites played by re-
quest, the upper runs in the treble of
this grand meditation, being played
with charming softness ami expression.
The player bad before this won the
sympathy and admiration Of her audi
ence, playing with distinguished tech
nique, touch soft and foe, great
power without those manifestations
of force that often mar the work of
good players.
Two selections from Chopin, the one
in g sharp being the only minor
played. The novelette, was lively
mezzo,a musette by d'Albert, Ia dainty
thing, and then selection from Ru-
bernstein, full of wonderful runs in
octaves, with thrilling climaxes. The
rest of the program was mainly from
Liszt. The love song was very sweet,
and following this,was the rhapsodie
hongroise. BY request Miss Cook
played the Last Rose of Summer" a
most elaborate version with intricate
variations-but evidently rot the
choice of the artist,as nothing ia varia-
tions il considered classical.
Numerous tributes of applause and
beautiful flowers were sent up to the
young player and gracefully acknowl-
edged. Miss Cook resorts to none of
the conventional stage effects, but wore
modest dress and simple coifiure of
most becoming style. No smirking or
smiling but perfect devotion to her art
charscterizes her appearance and wins
the hearts of all lovers of music.
Miss Cook was fortunate in haying
magnificent instrument before her, q
Chckeriug Grand piano, brought from
Portland for her especial use, which
was in itself a treat to listen to. The
audience comprised the finest social
circles of the capital city and the en-.
tire concart from the immaculate
usbers to rich floral decorations was an
artistic musical event.
The above was prepared by very
musical critic for the JOUR-
NAL. The regular reporter was there
and his notes are given below for what
they are worth. He is good on pol
ltcal meeting or horse race but has
low tastes when it comes to classical
he is not In it. His comments
are not against the young lady but
against classical music and here is the
way lie displays his ignorance:
THE oTHEB REPORT.
The concert is all classical We
know it is because we couldn't under
stand q blessed strain of it. She was a
brave girl though to attempt to play
through that long program for two
hours of heavy compositions and not
tune in it. IF there had been one soil
tary tune, us ignorant fellows would
have caught on aud applauded. If
thre'd been Fishers hornpipe, or few
bars.of "Old Dan Tucker" you couldn't
kept us old fellows from busting right
out. We'd called that pretty girl back
every time we'd a caught on, and if
she'd played one tune we'd a caught
on. Once in while she would strike
into what apparently was going to
lead up to tune but before she got
there il would wobble and wander off
into the musical parlor exercises that
are palmed off on the public for classics.
The girl could keep all sorts of time,
but that didn't help us out I'VE couldn't
tell where she was at on the program.
rhe!managers at last got afraid the
evening would pass away without any
applause so they threw Mezzo
soprano and big Scherzo--rOndo
Dut of the back door of the church and
dragged in old "Home, Sweet Home
and you'd ought to hear the rafters
ring We know music but not until
we hear 1t. She can't blame us because
she can't bang her blamed showbangs
through our heads. We've listened to
100 many hophouse symphonies for
hat. One thing we could appreciate,
ler pretty face and dandy dress. The
after was rapture in pale yellow silk,
. sort Of old melody cut In the newest
ityle, with the sleeves blowed up.
some Of her finest passages sounded
Ike rattling two claw.hammers over
he keyboard, Several Of the classical
lieces had passages In them that APP
very near the sanity point
md we appauded her TO keep our
courage up In hopes lucid interval OF
Ietual music might break through but