The herald., 1895-06-30
Presbyterian Concert

PASADENA, June 29.-The Presbyter-
ian church was comfortably filled by an
audience of representative ccitizens last
evening, the occasion being the first
formal public appear ance of Miss Alice
Coleman as an artist since her return
from Boston. where she has been pursu-
ing her musical studies. Although the
programme was not of the kind that
might be denominated as popular con-
cert" by considerable, yet it was plainly
not above the appreciation of the audi
ence, which seemed to enjoy it thorough
1y.
Miss Coleman has an excellent tech
nique, firm though delicate touch, and
sympathetic appreciation of the COM
poser's meaning, which she brings out
in truly artistic manner. Although
the auditorium of the church is a large
one to fill with the tones of a piano,
when occupied as in this case by large
audience, yet Miss Coleman's touch is
20 light and at the same time so strong
that sne had no difficulty in being heard
throughout the room.
i A musical critic, who is we'll qualified
TO Judge of the merits Of the evenings
performance, gives the following report:
Her programme opened with Beetho-
ven's sharp major sonata, a severe test
for any pianist and one OF great beauty.
1t belongs to later period of Beethoven's s
writings when he was beginning his ex-
periments in the sonata forms that led
up to such marvels as the opus 3. The
form of the one given is remarkable in
that it almoS1 alone of Beethoven's So
natas contains no slow movement except
the few preliminary measures. Miss
Coleman played SO easily as to disguise
the technical difficulties of certain parts.
The rapid tempo is apt to confuse one
who hears the piece for the first time.
is hpr ~ If
ss Miss Coleman is a skillful Beethoven
player it is hoped she may be soon heard
an classical programme from ohe
greatest Of writers. The Liszt number
was an able performance. The acquired
mower of Miss Coleman's left hand was
Severely taxed in the elaborate bass score
and her playing of this number was one
of the most remarkable events of the
evening. The Little Romance by Miss
Lang is new to Pasadena. Miss Lang is
the daughter of Miss Coleman's instruc-
tor and is musician of much fame in
the east but little known here except for
Eome exquisitely arranged songs that
long since found their way across the
continent.
! The Romance is rather long for con-
cert number, but it arsistically describes
b love adventure in which q cavalier a
prince and princess have their love
affair." ending with the death of the cav
plier. The music is more descriptive
than brilliant, except i'll, the allegro con
fuoco, where the combat Is vividly
painted. The whole piece abounds in
graceful themes, of which the tempo di
gavotte and tempo di ballo contain a
pumber The slow movements well il
Illustrated some of the excellencies of Miss
Coleman's training, her touch being soft,
even and true.
X The allegro scherzando from the SAINT
eaens concerto was the opportunity of
She evening for the display of Miss Cole
mans execution, and it created storm
of well-merited applause.
The influence OF orchestral work was
very noticeable in her organ numbers. In
6hese sheimade decided success, and is
eertainly entitled to rank far ahead of the
6rganists generally heard in Southern
California.
I She had the assistance of Mr.. Cogswell
formerly of this city, and gentleman
whose singing is well known. He sang
four songs and made an agreeable diver
yion to the piano mum bers his powerful
voice being effectively used in Schubert S
classc Erl King. j. f, 2.