Omaha daily bee., 1899-12-31

realm of music, and sadly she realized that
all She could do was as the one first step.
And i'm time as her children grew she taught
them carefully as far us she had learned.
and even after they were consigned to more
advanced teachers she was able to help them
by criticism, for her mind could understand
what her fingers could not play. Gradually
she practiced less until at last she gave it
up altogether and her playing became only
q memory
\ young girl sat at the piano playing
that one of Mendolssohn's Songs without
Words which is known as Consolation. "
she played It carefully with close attcn-
ton to phrasing and an earnest attempt to
follow the composers thought, She played
II over several times, often stopping to re-
peat one or two measures, the rendition o.
which had not satisfied her. Her rendition
Of the song was fun OF feeling but it was
with a sigh OF dissatisfaction that she
turned to the Spring Song 1t was evil
dent that this more brilliant composition
was more difficult for her. Having played It
through she rose and walked to the window
and as She stood gazing out there were tears
in her eyes. In a moment there Heated
across from the house opposite the noisy.
strident tones Of Marching Through Gcor-
gia." How | envy that girl over there, "
she thought, and smiled sadly; she is so
satisfied with herself. 1t is so hard to do
so little and yet comprehend so much"
This girls mother had studied for a
short time under an excellent teacher. an
accomplished musician who was blind, but
she had begun after her marriage and It
was not to be expected that she might be
come a player Of note. However. she had
transmitted the little that she knew to her
daughter, who had now passed beyond her
mothers attainments and was studying
under a pupil of the great List. The les
sons were infrequcnt, for money was not
plenty in that household. Lack of money
made other obstacles. Ones desire may be
to practice sonatas, while it may be ones
duty to wash dishes and tho washing Of
dishes does not improve the hands for the
piano. And so the daughter grieved over the
inevitable. IF we had money l could do
so much. Or if | were stronger it would
partly atone for the lack of money Some
times she praCticed long hours at a time
passionately, earnestly-again in despair
she longed to renounce it altogether. a
friend said to her: "What a pleasure it
must be to play as you do" The girl
smiled, but she did not utter her thought
aloud. at is no pleasure she thought;
~ 10 Nl' NulCt VI llS TX / Usual "
play for those who cannot understand and
am afraid to play for those who can.
The years glided by until the girl became
a woman and married. Still the old dis
content pursued her and DAYS of feverish
earnestness of practice alternated with
blank despair when her piano remained
silent. Then children came and in time
the mother settled into quiet content play
ing for her husband and her friends as a
recreation and a pleasure. But there came
a time when the old restlGssness again pos
sessed her. Physical exhaustion resulted as
it frequently does in nervous temperaments
in extreme activity of mind, and old am
billions arose again to torment her. And
then her boy was born.
How like the boys face is to his fathers"
they said. How like his mind is to
mine" said the mother. While yet an in
FAINT nothing would induce him to rest and
sleep like the sound of music. Often the
tired mother placed him in his cot and p aged
by the hour soft melodies for mis- delight.
AT last" she thought, music gives me
real pleasure for it soothes my restless
boy" AS soon as he could run about he
loved to finger over the keyboard and later
begged his mother to teach him to play.
She sighed, longing yet dreading to set him
adrift on the wide sea of art. But it had
to be.
The great auditorium is flooded with light
and filled with a vast huttering throng, as
sembled to hear the young pianist whose
fame has preceded him. Presently he enters
at the curtained doorway, acknowledging
with a slight bow the applause that greets
him and seats himself at the piano.
In tho NEppfprful p1tuOuriOU pf harmony
that follows he holds his audience en-
tranced. But interviewer with the melody
though unheard by all that throng rings
the echo of zone, two, three, four" and the
stiff chords of Smiths March of long ago.
The following program was given by Miss
Boulter at her studio in the McCague build
ing yesterday afternoon, the vocal numbers
being contributed by her sister, Mrs. sun
derland, and the audience being composed
of the pupils of Miss Boulter:
EEsPagnola, op. no. No, a~......"",.Gqdard
Tho Brook .......... Lack
''NNho is Sylvia vocaD Schubert
Spring Rustic .Slnding
caprice, op. is, No. 2,..,..,,. MNiccinidicissohna
"A Winter Lullaby CyocaD ,...,.. .DcKovcn
Concert Nalse, op. y ..........lEmil Liebling
If any pianist can remember the name Of
the encore which was played by Mr.. Will
liam Sherwood after the fifth number of tho
program at Boyd's theater last Wednesday
night, information concerning it will be
gratefully received and acknowledged at
this office.
Mrs. Ford announces one OF her season
concerts under the auspices of the musical
department of the Womau's club for tho
evening Of January 4, The occasion will be
a recital of pianoforte music by Nine. Muen-
tefering. on JanuarY 30 the MhitneY Mnck.