Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1901-02-28
TIE S|E|IEL CONCERT
Famous Mandolinist Given a
Flatterins Reception on His
Return Home.
Marked Improvement Shown in
His Manipulation Of His Fa-
vorite Instrument.
Ably Assisted BY Arion Ladies
Quartet and Charlotte Hills
Leavens. Harpist.

LeavenSs nafplSt.
Mr.. Samuel siegel was given latter
Ing reception at the Odeon last night,
on the occasion of his return to Mar
shalltown after an absence of three
years. While the audience was not so
large as Mr.. Siegel and those assisting
him deserved. it was a critieal one and
capable Of Approaching.
Mr.. Siegelss mandolin playing shows.
marked Improvement since he was last
heard in Marshalltown His contact
With the musicians OF Europe evidently
was an inspiration to him and he was
not satisfied with being their peer, but
he has exerted himself to excel. In his
hands the mandolin is an entirely diff
ferent instrument from the one the pub
lie generally knows. II sings as sweetly
as a bird and the range and volume of
the songs he makes it sing are wonder
full. His playing will Go much to popu-s
larize an instrument that has NOT been
appreciated by musicians because it is
so seldom mustered
The Arion Ladies Quartet was heard
for the first time in public. The quartet
is composed of Mesdames r. L. Meeker
B. A. Morgan and E. r. Lay and Miss
.Leora Crabtree, and the services of the
ladies will be in great demand in the
future. Miss Crabtree and Mrs Meeker
appeared also as soloists and the ap-
piausa accorded them proves that they
are as great favurites with the music
loving public as ever Each was re-
called. Charlotte Hills l.eaven, the
popular harpist of this city. added va
riety to the program and her selections
We're among the most popular of the
evening, she being twice recalled.
Mrs. T. R. Lay acted as accompanist
for Mr.. Siegel and also for the soloists
The mandolin accomplishments We're
quite difficult and but one rehearsal
had peen had, but Mrs Lay was so
proficient that her work vas conpli-
Smeate6 by both the audience and MIR
Siegel.
Mr.. siegels opening number. Fam
tasia Medley. which is OF his own arr
rangenent, vas one of his most artistic
selections, ard appealed 10 the popular
as we'll as the classic ear. The number
embraces My Old Kentucky Home.
Home Sweet Home" and Marching
Thru Georgia. The arrangement of the
airs is entirely original with the soloiSt-6
composer, opening with very clabo-
rate Introduction and cloaing with a
finale in presto chord movements. The
number was played without piano ac-
compartment, as were several Others Of
his collections, but in one of the move
merts the melody and the accompani-
lnent are played by a very deXtsrous
movement of the pick an absolutely
sustained tone for the melody being
carried and at the same time the piZzi-
cato accompaniment. Another very
pretty effect introduced in one Of his
numbers was the harmones produced
With the right hand which Is something
new With mandolinists and very rarely
attempted.
Another very beautiful piece Of work
on ths part Of the soloist was his inter-
probation of the intermezzo from
.Cavalleria Rusticana." This strain
from Mascagni.s master hand Is always
popular and in Mr.. Siegers interpreta-
tion the tones are clear, almost resem-
bling violin the scraping Of the pick
EenefIliy HsaTu GHu expected from
mandolin players, being entirely e.imi-
mated. In the last few bars Of the in
termezzo the mir was SO delicatey rem
dered that the diminuendo was 50 soft
and sweet that he audience was scarce
ly able to tell when the tones had
ceased. The fantasia from Garner"
and the melody in r, from Rubeistein.
both popular to the classical ear, We're
finished in the extreme. but probably
the best selection from an artistic
standpoint was the closing number,
The Witches Dance one of Mr. Sic
gels own compositions.
The Beauty of Mr. siegel's playing lies
greatly in Ills extreme versatility. His
program was decidedly varied. embrace
ing both the classics and the popular,
showing that he is perfectly at home in
the various styles of music His por-
ton of the program was in Itself fifty
five minutes in length and the audience
did not tire of the music, the best
recommendation possible to soloist,
where but little variety is expected.