Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1902-09-23
From the Daily Record.

A stage with the lights softened
bit, set with palms and ferns-sonly
touch of color to accentuate the quiet
green OF the luxuriant foliage-an
audience that filed the theatre with
an atmosphere OF sympathetic appre-
ciation-a slender girl robed in simple
white-the unobtrusive support of
subdued accompaniment-and Raffs
Cavatina-this was the focal point
last evening. of one of the most de-
lightful entertainments ever given at
the Grand.
The occasion was musicale given
by Mr.. and Mrs. E. B. Thayer. to In
troduce their daughter, Miss Della
Thayer, to the musical society OF
Wausau. Miss Thayer is a violinist
of exquisite finish. and her appear
ance last evening in formal program
was the means of securing for her a
triumph honestly earned and cor
daily accorded Time seems so short
and swiftly fieeting when Wausau
audience gathers to greet as finished
artist one who but yesterday was a
child among us. And Wausau was
gratified beyond measure tnat to her
people was given the opportunity OF
first placing upon the work OF Miss
rhayer the deserved and we]l-won
laurel.
1t is bit difficult to discuss Miss
'rhayer's playing without undue en-
thusiasm, for, aside from all critical
considerations, she is pleasing per-
former The test of music is it's APP
peal To the heart. LII it can commend
itself TO the head that is well. but IL
must in any case reach the heart, or
it comes tardy off. Miss rhayer has,
at the outset of her career. the elusive
and indetinable quality OF sympathy
with her work, W hich impresses itself
upon her auditors. She mas already
acquired IL technical proficiency W hich
is remarkable, and what Is more i'm
portant, she has learned to subject
technique to interpretation. She
phrases with skill and intelligence.
her contrasts are strong and her
shading delicate. She plays with
thorough command of her subject
temperamentally as we'll as techni-
cally. When It Is borne in mind that
all these qualities are essential-vit-
ally essential-and that once acquired
they ripen and mature as time goes
on, the future holds out rich promises
to this girl, who has laid the broad
foundations for n brilliant career, in
the sure cement of long and arduOus
toll. Wausau enjoys her triumph to-
day--in the years to come Wausau
Will take pride in her accomplish
ments.
The selections which Miss Thayer
rendered were we'll calculated to
please her listeners and at the same
| time afford them an opportunity to,
appreciate the immense amount Ol
| work she has done. The Cavatina
was, of course, best liked. The mar
velous melody of the piece-the un-
dertone of deep and moving feeling
always goes TO the heart of the listen
er. The composition. is so great that
| 1t is a difficult matter TO play Ii
pOorly-wher there IL so much to in
| terpret one Is bound to get some
part Of the message-but it Is more
difficult to play 1t well, for there are
SO many OF the finer passages that 1t
| Is so easy to mar. Bruch's Concerto
and the Wieniawski Romance and
Rondo. both stamped Miss Thayer a
violinist-the Gavatina marked her
an artist. She handled the difficult
| technique OF the heavicrcompositions
with mastefiul skiIl--hlt she put the
singing tone into Raff's measureless
tenderness which no one can learn TO
dot must come from the soul that
| is born.
| The numbers on the program by
Mrs. Kickbusch, Miss Opdahl and
Mrs. Speer were enthusiastically re-
ceived by the audience, and they, as
established favorites with Waussu
people. thoroughly enjoyed assisting
In the artistic triumph of their friend,
| Miss Thayer.