Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1902-12-02
MILE S|EMENS PLAYS
DISTINGUISHED ARTIST CAME
HERE ALMOST UNHERALDED.
ONLY HAD AN UPRIGHT PIANO.
But the Artist Charmed All Music
Lovcrs-Mrs. Sheridan Talked bet
ter Than She sane-Audience Lll<-
ed Best the "Coon'' Song.
ONLY HAD AN UPRIGHT PIANO.

Mile. Frieda Siemens. pianist. who
was heard here last night for the first
time gave to Richmond music lovers
rare treat in the hall of the Young Mems
Christian Association She played the
most difficult selections with an ease ani.
grace that denote the artist. although
few in the large audience were aware
hat her next engagement Is with the
Thomas Orchestra. of Chicago. and that
before the season is gone she will be
heard with the Boston Symphony Or
chestra, an honor which is reserved for
pianists of the first rank only.
Mile Siemens had the misfortune Il
play upon an upright piano. thing which
is likely to happen in Richmond at any
time unless the performer goes to the
trouble and expense Of carrying about
Il concert grand, which is the only in
strument suited to concert work.
This may account for the preponderancc
of panissimo effects when more vigorous
tones were demanded, as was noticed
particularly in the Liebstraum Ioves
Dream). by List: but more particularly
in the Magic Fire Music from Wagner:
Die Walkure." This latter piece is one
of the most beautiful selections in all
the German operas. Woten has just placed
the ring of fire about tile sleeping Siglin
Iii. and the dull. req light glows until
the whole mountain seems atire, while tn:
arpeggic sounds of the harp give place
to the full orchestra representing bril-
liant lights and seething mass OF fire.
These exquisite orchestral effects car
not be gotten adequately on the
piano but in the endeavOr to por-
tray this vivid scene the greatest breadtil
Of tone is required. A woman in playin:
such a work is naturally at disadvan
tage in having hands smaller than men.
aud in not having their strength.
HAPPiEST IN LIGHT SELECTIONS.
Mile. Siemens was particularly happy
in the lighter and more fantastic selec
tons. In Chopin's Fantasia 1mpromptr
she was wonderful in technique and light
! ness of touch. while in the Berceuse-.hat
! beautiful nocturne, or cradle song-she was
! probably at her best. In some of her Sc
iections she took too mucn liberty with
| the tempo, but her work generally speah-
| ing was most pleasing.
Mile. Siemens opened her programme
with a gavotte BY Bach. This she play
ed with rare precision. clearness, anc
| probably more expression than is gener.
! ally given to Bach. The Beethoven So
| nata opus g, which is very difficult was
! admirably rendered from the point OF
| execution, but there was not that re-
serve and dignity for which this selec-
tiCn Cal. ed
The pleasing part of the programme;
was its diversity There was the List
arrangement Of the Spinning Song; from
| the FLYING Dutchman; Rondo Capric-
! cioso Of Mendelssohn; vase by Chopin
F! and a valse de ballet by Poldini, and one
/, SPOKE BETTER THAN SHE SANG.
! The most pleasing thing done by Mrs
/ Sara Mcdonald Sheridan was not heI
! songs but the few words spoken as q
t prelude to an old Scotch song. which
! this lady said was to her more Of an az.
! onizing cry from the Door fsherfoik
| amo1g whom she had actually lived re
/ Gently.
-. Saying these few words she showed
! more genuine feeling and sweetness tina,
/ in all the songs put together. She sang
i her part in the programme in rather {
i passive tye, exhibiting a times seem
! ingly rather had temperament. Some O.
: her high notes We're very sweet .anc
/ clean but the songs. generally speaking
/ lacked life and action. During one encor:
/ she sang coon song. which seemed
/ from the amount of applause. to tickle
( the audience much more thar any classic
/ piano playing.
/ Mrs. Sheridan is IN Atlanta woman
and recently was TIN guest in Londor
of Sir George WlnlaNIs the founuer OF
the Young Men Christian Association
She was acco-npo MED in her songs last
r'~ht by local talent.