The San Francisco call., 1903-01-04

"O O those unhopeful for the artistic
future Of America one may point
10 at least one figure in our na-
tional music from which the purest
satisfaction may be derived-to
that OF Edward Mcdowell of COlun-
bia University. 1t is a sausfaction-
like the famous grave Of Clementine-both
vide and deep. OF the highest eminence
both as composer and pianist, MacDoWen
represents the best in contemporary mu-
sic. in European centers this fact is even
more fully recognized than in the com
poser's not ungrateful country where the
first chair Of music IN an American uni
versity columbia was created 70 honor
him
Best known 10 US here. perhaps, as an
eXquisitely varied and deeply poetic
writer Of songs. MacDowells fascinating
contributions 10 piano literature are
hardly less familiar. His higher piano
pieces are in every pianist's repertoire. his
songs on every singers programme; and
II Is only in the large orchestral direction.
save from such satisfs ction as the study
OF the score affords, that the composer is
an unknown quantity here. This week will
remedy the deficiency by the grace Of
Paul SteindOrff at the TivOH. in the series
cf novelty concerts" 20 be given there.
Not only are we 10 have MacDowelPs 3
Indian Suite" for orchestra. but his fine
concerto for piano ID minor. Op. 2S), and
interpreted by the composer himself.
Truly a noble conjunction,
Every one 4xil. OF course. be there, as
T. is an opportunity Of rarest sort In ac-
cord with the title OF novelty concerts, -
the first OF which MacDowell graces, there
viii also be given the Srnetana overture
The Battered Bride not before played
here, and the Kaiser March" Of Wag-
ner. 1t is hardly perhaps necessary TO re-
mind that the concert takes place at the
Tivolf on Thursday afternoon next.
Then Mr.. Greenbaum will present Mr..
MacDowell in the further delights OF two
recitsls. 10 consist largely Of the Mac
Doweu compositions, at Steinway Hall on
next Saturday afternoon and on Monday
evening, January 5. The new year starts
indeed, well.
The many friends Of Signor AIichelena
whose Romeo and Canio used so royalty
20 please Us at the Tivon some years ago
viii be glad to rejoice with him in the
success Of his daughter and pupil Miss
Vera Michelena, who has just been made
prima donna soprano Of the Princess
Chic" company. AS Miss Vera was in
short frOcks only yesterday. being TO-DAY
only II. her success is Of the remarkabie
order. The young lady joined the "Prin.
cess Chic" company last spring and ha,
been very rapidly advanced to her pres
ent imposing position She comes to the
Columbia this month and viii doubtless
receive a genuine Californian welcome.
Nilsson nowhere, Patti bad fbirS
Xaw outdone-" So begins an article tha-
concerns itself with a curiosity in In.
musical way that comes to-day TO fb,
Orpheum in the person OF Miss Editi
Helena. a. soprano with an extraordinary
range. Miss Helena is said TO have
touched the A. five half-tones above Eller
Beach Yaw's famed high Z. and TO sins
the T and + sharp with utmost ease
Nilsson was f4mous for a high { anf
PATHS . came next in the line Of altiss.
mo wonders. Then came Miss Yaw anf
now Miss Helena. Counting the occasiona
tOp-nOtch A Miss Helena's range is thre,
Octaves. and her voice IS said to b;
further remarkable for an exceptiona
purity Of quality. Neither are her natura
advantages the only advantages possessed
by the singer. for TO them she has adde.
sound musical training under the Che
Waller Bassini of New York. Next Oc
tOber Miss Helena is TO begin a three
year concert tour under the direction O.