The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1901-10-22
MISS MARION MASON SPEAKS
PAWTUCKET WOMAN'S CLUB

deep dimple was at once noticed in his
chin. We can picture him in brave ap-
perel of 4 fine red cloak, a blue dress coat.
or in black coat and waistcoat black
stockings and trousers. and white era
vat. when his black ones were TOO shah
by All these garments-unpsid for we
fear-for our hero. like many musicians
OF that day, was invariably impecunious.
Clara Wieck had developed from the
wonderful child pianist playing one Of his
own compositions at the age OF thirteen,
when Schumann first saw her. into the
most brilliant, poetical and charming OF
women.
She had become the greatest pianist In
Germany, playing Bach. Beethoven ana
Chopin-it was waitten Of her she came:
she played. she conquered. No one could
resist the poetry OF this tender noble sp-
Paganninl. Chopin and now Clara are eN-
anples OF those brilliant flashes OF light
ming which makes the world, that hero OF
cattle. look up from its tranquil grazing
Her nature was frank and sunny. haV-
ing no taint OF petulance or self-con-
spired schumsnn with something deeper
than admiration. As early as 1892 he
wrote her: i think OF you not az
brother of a sister-or as a friend OF a
friend. but somewhat as pilgrim thinks
of the far off altar picture.
Early I'm the autumn OF lAO Clara
one. Then did the blossoms OF song burst
forth In all his lavish profusion. one
hundred and thirtv-eight i'm a single year.
Schumann writes friend; am now
writing nothing but songs, and l cannot
describe the tumult and stir within me
when sit down TO do it. IL IL so delight
full to write for the voice instead OF IN.
strumentsl composition. And again 10
Clara. Il have written u pages OF song
music since yesterday morning. | could
sing myself to death like a nightingale.
And then sending her the nrSt printed
song cycle. the Myrtle Wreath, he says
When wrote these my soul Was within
yours dedicate these songs Sa to On mi u,t"n De,
bride could write such music The
masters high culture enabled him TO
choose the highest representatives 90, SI .y-
| vorite poet OF Schumann as Goethe was OF
| Schubert.
1T was the culture of sehumann to
| write cycles of songs-the Liederkreiss-a
! set OF songs written 10 words by Eichen-
| dorff RE eohoing the charms OF the
woods, the idyllie forest solltud.s. . me me
/ dreamy night. the glistening stars and all
the magical music or fairy tales that
dwell in Held and forest--to sehumanns =
emotional and highly appreciative nature
| furnished rich field for musical paint
| ing 'rhe Loretta and 'Waldesgesprach'
! are examples The 'Dichtesliebe, or
| Heine-seems TO embody every mood or
| the poet as we'll as the composer.
( None but Heine could have written
| them. none but Schumann could have set
them Ich golle nich.' which united the
| best traits OF his genius and has never
| been even approached i'm it's isolation OF
| passionate despair. has more than the
/ companion in poiW OF sustained emotion,
as 'Widwung Devotion and 'StiUe
| Shanen (Quiet Tears).
| "rhe MYRTLE Wreath another cycle OF
| songs contains some that especially ap-
peal to us. The Mussbaum' !Almond
| rree) and the Lotus Flower The Two
| Grenadiers,' always a favorite, intro
! ducing the stirring 'Marcellaise At the
close. will possess the charm OF eternal
! youth as well as the exquisite May song,
| Loves Tears. The Vision and the Rose
| and the Lily so dainty and expressive
gems - A..
| Russell n Dana sang with exquislte
taste the following: The Vision ne
| Lotus Flower and Love Speed Us.
| Miss Ruth Chase also sweetly sang the
| following Devotion" and The Al
| mond Tree"
| schumann's martial song. The Gren-
| adiers was rendered with just the need
| ed expression and spirit by Mr.. Babcock
| of Boston and another or Schnmann
| gems. ITO the sunshine, By Mr. bab-
| cock closed one of the most delightful ar
ternoons in the history Of the club.