The Washington times., 1902-03-08
MUSIC LOVERS HEAR
PIANOLA RECITAL
"In a Persian Garden" Rem
dered in an Artistic Manner.
Many Flocked to Columbia Theatre or
Invitation From Mr.. William
Knabe.

| The Columbia Theatre was scarcely
| large enough to accommodate those who
responded to the Invitations of Mr. Will
| liam Knabe for a pianola recital yester-
| day afternoon, when ''In Persian Gar
| dem was rendered in a most artistic
| manner by well-balanced quartette, un-
| der the direction of Mr.. H. H. Mills.
Many people have an idea that the pi-
anola is simply a mechanical instrument
| which when operated plays in much the
same way as the obnoxious street piano,
but IL the contrary had not been proven
before yesterday. it certainly was when
the accompaniment to Liza LehmS nm 5
song cycle was rendered
Played With Effect.
That the pianola was played by Mr. c.
II. Parkyn, who came ON from New. York
for the occasion, and who is considered
one of the best pianola players to be found
in the country. was naturally an import
ant feature. The quartette included Miss
Lillian HALEY, soprano: Miss Eleanor
Simonds. contralto: Mr.. Horatio Rench
tenor, and Mr.. S. P. Thompson, baritone
To the audience. the singers we're thor
oughly at home with their strange ac-
companist, so much so that one hardly
realized the difficulty under which they
were singing.
The singers who participated In the re-
cital are to be congratulated upon their
success, as they had had but one rehearsal.
Yesterday was the second time I'm
Persian Garden has been heard here. it
having been introduced about year ago
by Mrs. Mills, under whose direction it
was given. The verses. which Liza Leh-
mann selected from the Rubaiyat of
Omar Khayyam. are among the most
beautiful OF those which go to make up
the poets collection. and the music which
has been written for them is as exquisite
as the lines.
An Excellent Composer.
Liza Lehman is in class of composers
all to herself and in fitting Omar Khay-
yaIn's verses with setting she has given
to the literature of the music world a col
lection of yeritable gems. 1t would
be almost impossible to discriminate in
the numbers, so absolutely appropriate are
they. and so full OF feeling, musicianly
instinct and subtle meaning. There is
uepth 10 ner compositions, and dignity
which somehow is all her own
1t is doubtful if anyone else could have
accomplished the task of writing for the
lines of the Persian poet so successfully
and with such a true touch as Lehman.
In their interpretation the quatrains
were presented in most artistic style
Each was given with studious attention
to its meaning, and with fine musical in
telligence. -1s;
Solo Scored Hit.
If any choice could be made. 1t would
probably fall on the soprano solo, 81 Sent
Ny Soul Through the Invisible and The
Worldly Hope Men Set Their Hearts
Upon" sung by Miss HALEY and Miss 81
monds, respectively.
Miss HALEY has clear meloiious So
prano voice, and her numbers were given
in the most finished style. Miss Simonds'
beautiful contralto was heard to splendid
advantage in all her numbers but par
ticularly in the one referred to.
Mr.. Rench and Mr.. Thompson were cor
daily received, and in fact. each member
of the quartette was obliged to bow re-
peatedly after the solos. The accompani-
ments to the song cycle were all that
could be desired and the results of the
recital were in every way pleasing and
satisfactory.