Kansas City daily journal., 1897-01-06
!: MUSIC AND THE DRAMA. :



Although Mr.. Clarence Eddy was an or
ganist of high attainment and wide repu-
tation when he last appeared in Kansas
City-some years ago-he had not reached
the wonderful degree of virtuosity that he
displayed last night at the Grand Avenue
Methodist church, where our own modest
but gifted and energetic young orsanist,
Mr. Edward F. Kreiser, has done so much,
through a series of recitals, to inform the
local public in the line of organ music.
Since his last appearance here Mr.. Eddy
has not only grown in facility and broad
ened expression, but he has absolutely es-
tablished himself as one of the greatest
organists of this time in such critical CEN
tiers as Paris, London and other European
cities In his sojourn abroad he was not
only most enthusiastically welcomed and
applauded by the public, put he gained the
most friendly recognition of the greatest
living composers and interpreters of organ
music. His appearance last night was,
therefore attended by exceptional interest
His programme was, with one exception,
made up of the compositions and works OF
living composers, and nearly all the num-
bers played are new to this country. The
music ranged from the old formalities and
exacting construction of Bach TO the most
fanciful variations of the modern compos-
ers, and included almost every style of
music written for the organ, and served TO
illustrate the amazing versatility and alb
solute thoroughness of this artist. This
unvarying efficiency long ago characterized
the playing of Mr.. Eddy, but with it Is now
sFNfa ifNT
of feeling that are not always the fruits or
the devoted study and application of great
executants. Yet Mr.. Eddy will doubtless
be remembered as n distinctively great
virtuoso rather than particularly inspired
interpreter. His execution is astonishing
in its breadth and facility. His feet are as
wonderful as his hands.
In such numbers as the Bach prelude and
fugue and the Capocci toccata his pedaling
is simply prodigious. The most important
number was Guilmant's minor sonata,
No. 3. dedicated TO Mr.. Eddy by the re-
nowned French composer, who frankly ac-
knowledges the inspiration of the American
organist. 1t is in five movements of great
variety, beautiful, fancy and mastery con-
struction, and was superbly played by Mr..
Eddy. a technical novelty of engaging
quality was the Rousseau double theme,
and two numbers of bright characteristic
music were the LeInare pastorale and Bos-
numbers of the programme was the Saint
Saens fantasie, q piece of concert music
that is destined to become very popular.
MIR. Eddy's other numbers were a Hollins
andante, two Walstenholme fancies and a
Guilmant allegro.
Mr. Eddy was assisted by Miss Lila
johnson, of this city, formerly n well
known soprano, but little heard of late.
Her voice is exceptionally wide in range,
so wide indeed that she is now devoting
herself entirely to contralto music. a
change that has been manifestly wise.
Her voice is exceedingly sweet and SYM
pathetic in quality and she sings with
much feeling and discretion. Her numbers
" ere 30 Don Fatale," from Verdi's Don
Carlos Chaminade ritournelle and
Clayton Johns Where Blooms the Rose"
The return of Mark Twain's delightful
comedy, "Pudd'nhead Wilson," to the
Coates next week will be particularly well
come in view of the fact that for several
weeks Kansas City has been almost bar
rem of really interesting theatrical attrac-
tions 1t is said that even the most loyal
friends of the late Frank Mayo admit the
entire success of Theodore Hamilton in
the title role of the play. Eleanor Moret-
ii has been succeeded In the role of Roxy
by Emily Rigl, & Kansas City favorite.
whose Temperament and style of acting
should make her particularly strong in
this part. OtnerWlSe the cast remains dl-
most the same as that seen Mt the Coates
last season. The advance sale of seats
will begin tomorrow morning.
Among the old melodramas few had
such successful engagements in Kansas
City as Shadows of a Great City" Some
distinguished people We're seen in former
casts. The revival of the play this season
has met with n success that is but nat
uraI when it is remembered that plays
of Il strong heart interest, like this one,
are most enduring. The play will be seen
at the Ninth Street next week.
Murray and Mack, TWO young comedians,
who have met with fortune in presenting
their farce comedy, "Finnegans Ball.,
have q new play along the same lines; in
fact it is in the form of q sequel to the
other one. It is called "Finnegans Court
ship" and will be seen for the first time
in Kansas City at the Grand next Sunday,
and will run throughout the week.