The Washington times., 1904-04-27
STRAUSS MUSIC
A GREAT DELIGHT
Interesting Song Program
at National Theater.
MOST VERSATILE COMPOSER
Anton Kaspar Pleases Audience by
Mastery Playing of Sonata in
E Flat Major.

The closing days Of the musical sea-
son are bringing to washington some of
the most delightful entertainments of
the year. and in the appearance at the
National Theater yester1a afternoon of
DR.. and Mrs. Richard Strauss the local
public enjoyed an afternoon of music
such as IT has ran ~ been accorded in
many seasons.
An audience conn., >sed OF musicians
among whom was a lsrs-e representation
from official and social life including
Mrs. Roosevelt and party sat from 4:3O
until almost o'clock to hear the inter-
estifls program offered by these artists,
assisted by Anton Kaspar, violinist, and
Sy0ney Lloyd Wrightson, reader.
The first part Of the program was de-
voted exclusively to Strauss compost
tons, and IT was this the audience had
gone to hear. Strauss is now one
OF the musical idols of the hour. and his
coming to America at this time when the
musical world is intensely interested in
him is opportune. That he has intrusted
to Nine. Strauss the Interpretation OF
his songs is a bit of good fortune for
which the audience of yesterday was
totally unprepared.
Novelty in Composition.
In each song offered some new phase
in the character of the composer seemed
manifest In no tvs compositions did
he combine the same elements and with
each succeeding song he gave to his
hearers novelty after novelty until the
audience could scarcely realize the inno-
vations
The entire group Of songs was given
In German, and, with the composer at
. .ne piano and Nine. Strauss as inter-
prefer, the program proved a delight.
Nine. Strauss is an interesting artist.
In the first few minutes IN which one
hears her sing there are few qualities
Mhlcn commend themselves. Her voice
Is not beautiful; neither has il the fine.
clefr-cut, and delicate tone one might
exp'.ct from an exponent of the Strauss
music But II has charm so indefin-
the singer has finished her song one Is
saying over and over, She Is great"
Understands the Motive.
The secret of Nine Strauss success
as vocalist is undoubtedly her thor
ough understanding OF the composers
motives. In each number she gave evil
dence Of having studied and having un-
derstood the smallest meaning of the
work, and in several of them her in
depreciation was so artistic as to win
recall after recall. one of the most
delight selections was Elm Obdach,"
beautiful. sympathetic, and delicate
theme set to words by Paul England
In nearing Nine. Strauss one would
never believe she could master the in
tricacies involved in many OF her hus-
bands compositions; yet IN this num-
Der, which concludes with the tiniest
n Gh
spirit so absolutely that the audience
was carried away with enthusiasm. and
she was compelled 70 repeat the song
The same opinion might be yentured On
every number which figured in the pro-
gram. AS was said before, the beauty
and charm Of Nine. Strauss work is not
In her voice, but in her superior method
Of Interpretation, and 10 this was due
her triumph of yesterday.
Mr.. Kaspar's Work.
Anton Kaspar surprised even his most
ardent admirers by his mastery read
ing the Strauss sonata, Op IS. in E
fat major. Nothing quite so delicate,
soothing. and highly artistic has been
heard than Mr.. Kaspars beautiful per
Torrance. particularly of the second
movement. and at the conclusion of the
sonata the composer and Mr.. Kaspar
were compelled to bow to series Of
recalls.
The second half Of the program was
devoted TO DR.. Strauss musical setting
TO Tennyson's "Enoch Arden" read by
Sydney Lloyd Wrightson Many in the
audience left before and during the
reading OF the poem because of the late
ness Of the hour, and in order not 10
prolOng the concert too far the poem
was cut from the rescue of Enoch to
his death scene.
Dr. Strauss is a genius whom Wash
ington has been honored in hearing.
Nine Strauss received a huge cluster
of lOng-stemmed American Beauty roses
from Mrs. Roosevelt, TO whom the ar
lists were presented yesterday after
noon at the White House.