The San Francisco call., 1904-12-14
FARWELL TALKS
ON MUSIC OF
THE NEW TIME

Mr. Arthur Farwell. who last night
lectured at Century Hall on '.Ameri-
can Music and the Development of In
dian Melodies brilliantly proved his
point as to the large musical value of
the Indian themes. Mr.. FarwelPs talk
took in the consideration of music as
it is now made in America and the
possible Indian sources for its future
inspiration, and was admirably illus
trated by the lecturer both on the
piano and the violin. Mr. Farwell was
introduced by Mr.. Frank P Deering,
who invited particular attention to the
lecturer as the founder of the Wa-Wan
Press, which is rapidly earning fame
as the publishing channel of a new and
vigorous school of the younger Ameri-
can composers.
The lecturer began by expressing his
belief that we are now at the begin
ming of the creative epoch in Ameri-
can music. Heretofore the musical
expression has been initiative, but
there is now strong body of young
composers doing the thing revolution
ary and at the same time significant
and beautiful That this new express
sion should find its way to the people
the Wa-Wan Press was founded, and
has already published many important
compositions. Some striking examples
of the Indian folk-songs were then
given, with most picturesque stories of
their origin. Songs Of love, Of war. of
death were all exampled, richly illus
trating a literature that seems prac-
tically unlimited in its suggestion to
the musician. One wonders, indeed, so
striking is the resemblance, If one of
the themes did not wander over to
Bayreuth while Wagner was at work
song is the Love Song of an Old
Man" once sung by an old Indian
every morning at dawn from a hill top.
1t is plaintiveness, longing, gentle sad
ness incarnate and charmingly me-
Iodious The Ghost Dance" the Song
of Peace" the Song of the Leader"
a chorale sung to the departing spirit,
and others were given. all proving
beautiful in the largest sense and thor
oughly characteristic. They were
PLAYED by Mr.. Farwel on the piano
and on the violin, in which latter case
the lecturer was accompanied by Miss
Hulda Andersen.
The third part OF the lecture was
given over to the rendering OF four
compositions for piano. founded upon
Indian themes. by Mr.. Farwell Much
the most interesting Of these is the
Domain of Hurakan," the Wind God,
in which there are many passages. of
remarkable beauty and originality
Chopin is somewhat suggested, Wag-
ner also, but there is notable original
strength, much native poetry and pic
turesqueness to be found therein. In
dian, thoroughly, and that way fas-
cinating, are the Ichibuzzi War Cry
and the Navajo War Dance" The
Dawn" again has strongly the poetic
quality, is full of color and Is firmly
built The composer shows rich har-
monic sense throughout. Tomorrow
evening the following programme Will
be given at Lyric Hall, representative
OF the younger American composers
None of the works have been given
here before. Mr.. Farwell will be as
sisted therein by Miss Helen Colburn
Heath, soprano; Miss Hulda Andersen.
piano: Mr. Frederick Maurer, piano.
and Professor Carlos Troyer, piano.
Part I, Modern American Compost
tions-Piano, Negro Episode" Henry
F. Gilbert; soprano, ISRAELI" Edgar
S. Kelley; concerted, I'm the Moon
Shower" Harvey w. Loomis.
Part IL Developments of Indian Mu-
sic-violin and piano. Indian Melo-
dies" Arthur Farweii; piano, Dawn"
Arthur Farwell; soprano. Traditional
Songs of the Zunis," (a) Sunrise Call,
Cb) The Coming of Montezuma," Car
los Troyer; piano. THE Domain of
Hurakan" Arthur Farwell; piano.
violin and gong. Ghost Dance OF the
Zunis," Carlos Troyer.
BLANCHE PARTINGTON