The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-12-03
DAVID BAXTER APPEARS
BEFORE MATINLE MUSICALE.
Welt-knOwn Scotch Basso Gives an
Interesting Song Recital at the
PrOpylaeum.

David Baxter, the distinguished Scotch
basso. appeared in one of his very interest
ing song recitals yesterday afternoon in the
auditorium at the Propylaeum. the enter
tainment being given under the auspices of
the Matinee Musicale, a society that is
bringing many notable artists to this city
nowadays. The audience was of good size
and very attentive, and Mr.. Baxter empha-
sized the good impression that he made in
indianapolis last winter when he gave
concert at the German House under the
Philharmonic Clubs direction. In fact, Mr..
Baxter was heard yesterday to better ad-
vantage than upon his first appearance
here, as his programme was more diversi-
fled This time and gave him more opportu-
nifty Cor showing his versatility.
1t was not heavy programme by any
fashion, the fifteen numbers being so placed
in the recital that the merits Of each were
clearly brought out. The programme dis
played Mr.. Bakers power at vocalization
as well as his beauty of voice, and at it's
conclusion he was given an enthusiastic
demonstration OF appreciation. His phras-
ing and Interpretation were delightful; his
voice is the true baSsO and naturally the
lower register colors the whole, but his
higher tones are not without their COM
manding qualities. The recital opened with
a fine rendition of the Handel aria, Isl ira
Ceppi." a difficult number, which served to
introduce very effectively the authority and
the 'temperament'-a word that Is in
evitable in describing a musical event-of
the singer.
A group of five songs followed, all Ger
man except the last one, which was an Ital
ian selection by Salvador Rosa. The Ger
man songS-compositionS of Schubert, Hol-
lander. Hermann and Bungert, were rem
dered in excellent style and expression, and
the italian number wss also well sung,
though 1t was, perhaps, the least interesting
of the group and the least suited to Mr..
Baxter's voice. Three English numbers
were next on the programme-two of them,
1.-THE Tinker's Song" and '"Twankadlllo,"
blacksmth's song, being old-time English
ditties, and the third being Clays descrip-
tive ballad, 1.-The Sands o. Dea," beautiful
composition, and the one In which Mr.. Bax-
ter scored the greatest success of the after
noon. 1t was admirably rendered and the
exquisite piano accompaniment was played
in most sympathetic and thoroughly ar
tistic manner by Miss Carrie Hyatt, who,
by the way, proved a praisewOrthy ac-
companist throughout the recital. Mr.. Bax-
ter's work in this group of songs was so
well liked that he was recalled to the plat
very pleasingly the tender old Welsh slum-
Der song, "All Through the Night
Three compositions Of Cowen-"Jennie
Nettles." ALTON Water and 1.-The Border
Ballad'-were impressively interpreted,
especially the latter, a fine number, which
the basso sang with rouSing spirit, and a
group Of old Scotch ballads, which Mr. Bax-
ter knows so well how TO sing, brought the
noteworthy musical event to close. The
Gale series will take place during January
and a pianist will furnish the programme,
the performer having not as yet been de-
cided upon.