The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1901-04-14


is extremely rare especially with foreign
pianists. Most performers. include in their
programmes with rare exceptions only,
those works which admit Of a brilliant
display Of their mastery of the mechanical
difficulties of the keyboard, playing only
on sufferance the music Of which the in
terest lies deeper in melodic and poetical
expression, and in the art of combining
beautiful forms in just balance and pro-
portion,
The great lyrical school of the musical
Renaissance which began for the piano
forte with Beethoven has almost lost
place in the programmes of today 1t is
true that, by way OF concession to a
great classic name, these may contain
a Sonata of Beethoyen's; there is sure
to be a transcription of one of the Schu-
bert's songs (Which often is burlesque
of the Originally; and Chopin is represent
ed not for his grace or melody, but for
the opportunities which he gives for tech
meal display. But the great names of
Schumann and Mendelssohn. not to speak
of Schubert, Gade, Jensen and others are
seldom present. 1t is generally supposed
by the pianists that the poetical side of
music is nothing in comparison with
show of brilliant execution; that that is
all that an audience cares for, and that
the pyrotechnique of the performer is
the proof of his artistic claims That
this is no new thing anyone can see by
reading Thackerays account, written fifty
years ago, of the playing of a 'transcrip
ton of "sich getting up stairs"
1t is true that in the great musical cen
tres the tide is fast turning in favor of
a fuller recognition Of poetry in music,
Of melody, beauty of phrasing and SYM
metry of form. But he is a bold man who
is pioneer in such matters and Mr..
Sherwood deserves all praise for including
in his programme music supposed to be
easy, such as the more melodious trifles
Of Bach, Beethoven's earlier Sonatas,
Schumann's RomanZes, Mendelssohn's
songs without words, and Chopin's
waltzes Nevertheless the programme
that was given on Wednesday night was
not wanting in items giving every oppor-
tunity for technical display. Mr.. Sher-
woods mastery of every detail of scien-
tific skill in the use of both keyboard
and pedals Especially his complete COM
mand over and self-restraint in the use
of the damper pedaD, is such that he can
afford to show that besides overcoming
any mechanical difficulty, he is, in a high
sense, an artist, with that genuine I'M
taught sympathy with the composers
thoughts which enables him to declaim
his poetry on the piano without falling
into either tameness or eXaggeration-a
very rare quality in great performer.
Some of his renderings. such as his man
agement of the rome in the Musette to
Bach's Gavotte must have been new
lisht to many players.
What the South suffers from is not half
so much want Of instruction as want Of
opportunity for hearing really great in
terpreters of music, and on this account
alone Mr.. Sherwood's visit ought to be
most warmly welcomed.
The programme was as follows:
l. (a) March, op. 91.,............ Raff.
(b) Gavotte from Sd English Suite,
S. Bach.
(c) Sonata, op. 81. No, 3. Beethoven.
2. (a) Songs without Words, Nos. J. 20,
81 OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES, MendelSsoTlh'
(b) Romance, op. 2S No. 2. .schumann.
(c) Waltz, OPP. AZ. Revolutionary
Etude, op. 10. No. ?. Ballade, op. Az
Recommendations. Chopin.
3. (a) Minuet in A Flat Edgar II.
....<............., Sherwood,
Rochester, N, Y.
(b) Exhilaration, op, IA, No. 8. Coy
Maiden, op II..,...... VIM. H. Sherwood,
Chicago.
(c) Witch's Dance, op. H. No. 2
A. Mcdowell.
4. (a) Dialogue, op. ~. Tsehaikowsky
(b) La Campanella -. Paganini-L List.
(c) Concert Etude IN D Flat. List.
(d) Grand Polonaise in E..... Liszt.
THE NORTH CAROLINA BOOKLET
The North Carolina Booklet, the first
number of which is to appear May 10th,
promises to prove most entertaining, and
interesting, to all lovers of North Caro-
lima. and its romantic history, is meeting
with most encouraging appreciation, not
only from the States own loyal sons and
daughters, but also those Of other States,
numbering among its subscribers distin-
guished literateurs, editors, educators,
divines. doctors, lawyers public and
State Libraries and colleges.
Among its initial subscribers may be
found the following names.
Alexander, Mrs. Eben, Chapel Hill.
Bryan, Mr. Chas., New York
Bridgers, Mrs Preston, Wilmington.
Bailey. Miss Matte. Raleigh.
Buchanan Mrs s. NJ, Baltimore.
Baskerville DR.. Chas., Chapel Hill.
Baker, Mr.. Ashpy L., Raleigh
Bratton, Rev. DR.. T. D., st. Mary's,
Raleigh
Boyden, Mrs. John H., Salisbury.
Battle, Mr.. Thos. H., Rocky Mount.
Blacknall, Mrs o. W, Kittrell
Cain. Prof VIM. Chapel Hill
Carr. Mrs William Kearney, Washing
ton City.
Crcecy, Mrs G. Eaon, Washington.
Carr, General Julian s., Durham.
Cheshire, Bishop J. b., Raleigh.
Gotten. Mrs r. r., Bruce.
pay Robert Editor ~ Y Post, N Y.
billiard, Dr. Richard, Edenton.
Davis, o. H., Washington City.
Drane, Rev r. b., Edenton,
Davidson. Mrs Theodore f.. Asheville.
Dancy. Mr.. Frank b., Atlanta, Ga.
Flowers. Mrs II. c., Kansas City.
Fries, Miss Fannie, Salem
Gilmer, r. D., State Attorney General,
Raleigh.
Gray Mrs. R. L., Raleigh.
Holland. Ralph H., New York City
Hughes. Mrs. Jas. b.. Newbern, n. G.
Hester, Rev. ST. Clair New York
Howell, Mr. Logan D., New York
Holmes. Prof Jas. A., Chapel Hill
Hawkins. Mrs. A. b., Raleigh