The Washington times., 1904-11-17
SING "HIAWATHH"
IN A FINE STYLE
COleridg; Taylor Choral So
ciety Gives | 5 Concert.
COMPOSER HOLDS THE BATON
Music Faithful TO Indian Customs and
Religious Character of the
Poem

one IF the most interesting and i'm
poTtant musical performances ever given
IN Washington took place last night in
Convention Hall when the Coleridge-
Taylor Choral Society. under the direc-
ton Of the composer for whom II is
FAMED. gave a reading OF Coleridge-
Taylor's musical setting 10 portions of
Longfeilow's "Hiawatha.
1t was estimated that $500 persons at
tended the concert. among whom were
many prominent suciety people and
nearly the entire musical colony In
Washington.
"Hiawatha" has been given previously
by this society, but never under the
suspicious conditions which marked last
nights performance. ridge-Taylor.
the composer. came all the way from
lis home in London TO WELD the baton
aud the orchestra Of the United States
Marine Band furnished the accompani-
iAent TO a chorus OF more than 200
voices.
Sing Three Sections
Three sections of Longfellow's poem
we're given. They included "Iiawa-
tha's Wedding Feast" THE Death OF
Minnehaaa," and .'Hiawatha's Depar-
ture"
The w edding Feast music was the
FIRST part Of The series composed by
Coleridge-Taylor and was among his
earliest efforts, having been composed
while he was still "a student. Later
came the others and the last. "Hiawa-
tha s Departure, Is easily the best OF
The three AS he matured In years the
composers ideas manifestiy broadened
and Impaired greater dignity and more
comprehensive spirit of his writings.
The third part was decidedly the gem
Of the collection,
A music student could hardly overlook
the hne Orchestration which the COM
poser has provided for the accompant-
ment. Looking always 20 preserving the
Indian spirit throughout he has impaTt-
81 20 the instrumental score a concep-
tiOn OF this weird peoples nature that
is wholly admirable.
OF Coleridge-Taylor' music IL must
be said that II represents one of the
highest types in composition. Not once
does IL fail 10 impress an auditor with
its dignity, its superior quality and IFS
religious adherence 10 the theme OF the
poem. IL Is as characteristic Of the In
Gian people as their wigwams. their
paint and feathers and even their his
toric pipe OF peace.
Tax Upon Chorus.
In writing for n choral society the
composer has evidently not taken into
consideration any limitations OF voice
and the ehoruses which would interpret
his score must be composed OF voices OF
vide range and much enduring power.
This was particularly noticeable IN the
ane work or the soprano chorus for
despite a most exacting score the purity
and strength OF the voices was as great
at the end as in the beginning OF the
performance
The soloists. Mrs. CiouEh. Mr. Free
man and Mr. Burleigh. were at a disad-
vantage in the hall The acoustic prop
critics are so poor that one could form nc
judgment whatever OF their work al
though Mr.. Burleigh apparently did the
best WON. of the trio.
Among the prominent people in boxes
and chairs were Mrs. Leslie NJ. Shaw
and Miss Shaw, wife and daughter OF
the Secretary OF the Treasury; the Post
master General and Miss Wynne, Mr.
and Mrs. Thomas Nelson Page. Miss
Isabelle Hagner, Theodore Hansen, first
secretary OF the Russian embassy: the
Secretary 10 the President and Mrs
Loeb the Assistant Secretary to the
President and Mrs. Barnes. Commission
er and Mrs. Mcfarland. and many 9TH
ers prominent IN official and social cir
Giles
The society will tonight present Cole
ridge-Tay ior' 5 Three Choral Ballads
and tomorrow night. again under the
direction OF the composer. il will give
"Hiawatha" az the Lyric Theater, Bal
timore.