New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-03-02
MUSIC.
DIR. and Mrs. Strauss.

The song recital which took place IN Carnegie
Hail yesterday afternoon. while it plqued public
curiosity IN the first instance, and satisfied it in
the second, did not make altogether plain what
special artistic service is advancing by the visit to
New-YorH OF DR.. and Mrs. Richard Strauss. 1t
added nothing 10 the status Of DIT. Strauss n
composer. for the best Of the songs which his wife
sang and he accompanied upon the pianoforte were
old acquaintances; the others brought no evidence
either for or against him. and the performances
were in most things neither instructive COM
mendable. The majority of our singers who venture
before the public with Strauss songs have better
voices and better artistic skill than Nine Strauss
de Alma and none OF our really skilful accom-
pansts would think he doing his duty II he
TO play in the Unconditional. matter-of-fact
manner, even Indifferent, Of the composer. It
was indeed IN some things an Incompetent
sible afternoon, and its most obvious explanation
little hattering to local pride complimentary TO
the performers Evidently some hundreds OF well
meaning persons went out "for to see" and saw.
Many OF them made demonstrations Of satisfaction.
and several times in the course Of the afternoon
created an impression Of popular delight. But the
undercurrent in the affair was almost saddening.
Nine Strauss do Alma was cnce a German ora-
matte soprano OF small calbre- There are traces
left n her lower register Of what was pleasing
quality and natural warmth But the voice has
gone the way Of hundreds OF German sopranos
brought up in the strenuous fashion stimulated by
the Wagnerian cult and little has been left in the
way Of compensation. That little might have been
edfying II employed unanectedly in the bringing
out Of hidden and occult charms in her husbands
songs assuming that mysteries hitherto undiscov-
cred exist IN then); but unhappily even her merit
as an futerpreter is obscured and made nugatory
by iuexcusable afronts 10 the decencles OF
the art OF song. Such tone production as hers
would not be pardoned in a novice making
no pretensions artist Neither would any OF
our local singers have expected pardon had she
distorted the contour Of the melodies as Nine.
Strauss did or sung with such indstinct enuncia-
tiun Of the text This dement, was doubtless
charEeabe in part 70 the size Of Carnegie Hall. Of
which complaint has been made IN this journal
even when such queens OF song as Mesdames Sem
brich and Lehman have given their recitaIs; but
IL we are 20 be instructed in special branches OF
the art b. artists bringing a special dspensation
ought 10 be entitled TO exhibitions Of musical
gifts and graces. Nine. Strauss sang fourteen
songs in all, ranging from on. II. early period.
down 20 the imprinted "GefUnden'' Of Goethe a
song Of real poeticnl depth and beauty. The four
teenth song was supplementary. Three songs on
the list were repeated: they were "Alp mec
Cedankin," ''StHndchen" and 'Traum durch die
uammerunE''-the last the lady's best interpreta-
ton all things considered.
Tie second part Of the programme was taken up
with Or. strauss's melodramatic version Of .Enoch
Arden" tho poem read by MI Bspham-and reaS
eloquently and well-ths Incidental music played
by the composer. Why Tenuyson's sentimental
mush should ever have appealed 20 Dr. Strauss is
one OF the many mysteries no. 10 be fathorned
For Il he wrote some striking music. The poem
doubtless brings tears 70 the eyes OF gentle Great
ures IN Germany when read by Herr Director
Possart; II accomplished the same feat yesterday
when Mr. Blspham bestowed the benson Of a
reading IN the original Would that II had opened
with the costly funeral with which II ends;
happily. then. We might have been spared the
fearful tale altogether. a handsome audience wit
messed the function.