New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-04-01
MUSIC.

MR.. FFRANGCON DAVIES'S ENTERTAINMENT.
The entertainment which Mr. D. Ffranecon Davies
gave in Mendelssohn Hall yesterday afternoon was
one-half concert and one-half nondescript As
singer Mr.. Davies won his spurs on previous visits
TO NewYork and II could not have been expected
by the extremely kind and sympathetic audience
which had gathered to hear him that anything new
or startling in that line would be offered. He vas
known singer equally gifted In voice and style.
"A singer OF feeling and OF intelligence an artist that
is cognzant OF what his art exacted OF him and
consciously able TO meet its demands. The style OF
the songs chosen for exploitation was not that
which we are accustomed 10 In our concert-rooms.
The English composer predominated, and though
there is a ready recognition here for the good
things which England contributes to music nova
days It cannot be said that such songs as Mr.. Davies
sang yesterday have the full measure OF artistic
merit expected highest class recitas. But
Mr. Davies exenphed the style admirably and made
them entertaining
Meanwhile It was plain that he hrnselt felt that
the chief interest centred in the second part OF
his programme which was devoted to a number OF
"cantilations" he has been pleased 10 call them.
The term is somewhat unhappy In its suggestions
10 the studen, OF musical history. bringing up, as Il
docs thoughts OF the strange and sometimes IN.
couth manner in which the Scriptures and prayers
are rected in orthodox synagogues; but II is not
with the that are concerned. but with tho
thing Itself. This thing. In one form another.
against It's beauty and effectiveness Unquestion-
ably II antidated formal song and It's efficiency as
appeal TO the fancy and emotion is likely 70 be
recognized In the future as Il was in the dim and
distant past. Briefly described. IL Is dramatic
defamation OF poetical text 10 illustrative
accompaniment. with careful adherence TO tho
rhythms of words and instrumental melody and an
occasional use also OF vocal melody 20 he.ghen tho
emotional moment. Long ago. before the term be.
came prevented I, was called melodrama- The music
which Mr. Davies utilized yesterday was written BY
Stanley Hawley whose gifts IN the direction Illus
trated are certainly most commendable though We
not quite certain that he would not have done
wiser had he consistently avoided tho drop
into pure song. In such performances tho best
effects are obtained by remaining on the border
line between emotionaiizei speech and song. But
Mr. Davess experiments ror his efforts must stu
he looked upon SUCH exert a most unmstakablo
charm. and ough. 10 be extremely welcome 20 a
large number OF people who .oncer OF poetry
than they are OF what IS ordinarily called vocal
music His efforts yesterday. supported Out not
as dlscree;ly ingenously they might have
been) by Mr.. Luckstone AZ the planofore. were re-
ceived with many exhibitions OF delight by an audi
ence which could not truthfully be accused OF =
lack o, artistic appreciation. Tho poems chosen
for illustration were Kingsley's Lorraine Lorraine
Loree," Whyte-Melvilles Riding Through the
Broom" Davidson's The Ballad OF He'll" Tho
Birth OF the Opal" IN the Round Tower OF Jhansi
and The Story OF the Faithful Soul" remark
ably fine climax worked UP IN the last with
the help OF the organ.