The Washington times., 1908-05-06
CHORAL SOCIETY AND ORCHESTRA
JOIN IN GIVING GREG PROGRAM
Many of Novel Works of
the Famous Com
poser Sung.
Performers and Director
Given an Ovation by
Audience.

Washington music lovers were given
one OF the most notable concerts Of the
year last night, when the Choral So
eiety and a local orchestra combined in
an Edward Grieg memorial in Conti-
mental Hall. The concert was under the
direction Of Heinrich Hammer, the So
ciety's new director. An audience which
filed the han paid tribute to the society.
Its conductor. and the remarkable pro
gram. 1t was a rare opportunity for
lovers Of music, and one which does
not come IN the regularly prescribed
program OF musical events in Washing
ton
In arranging the program many Of the
most novel and least known WOri-- Of
Grieg were included. One Of the most
distinctive and effective was the chorus
"At the Cloister Care" for women's
voices. The weird. plaiutive tone picture
offered a pretty contrast 20 the mixed
choruses. and brought out the pretty
quality Of the women's voices. Another
distinctive chorus. quite as much so
as at the ClOistsT Gate was the
handspring chorus for mems voices
Tenors and basses were effectively
blended. and Mr.. Hammer took the sing
ers through the number with manifest
skill and understanding.
The program was as follows.
Three pieces for orchestra Cprelude,
intermezzo, and "Triumphal March'),
from the music 70 "Sigud JOrsalfar'
drama by Bjornson). op. IS.
AT the Cloister Gate from BjOTu-
sons "Arnljot Genine,'' composed for
solo voices. womens chorus, and orch
estra, op. o.
Thanksgiving" poem by BjOrnstjerne
RsoPnson. com posed for male chorus,
baritone solo, ard orchestra. Op. 81.
Three songs for soprano. with orches-
ira accompaniment "Sprinstime,
poem by a. O. Ninje; SolVejg's Cradle
SOrg' and SolVeJg song. from the
music so IbSeu's Peer Gynt-'
Scenes from "OlaV IrygVaSOn, un-
finished drama by BjoTnstjerne BjOrn-
son, composed for solo voices, mixed
chorus. and orchestra, OF. 90
The solOists were Mrs Rollie Borden
Low. soprano, Of New YORK; Miss Glars
Drew. cOntralto, Of Washington, and
j. Walter Humphrey. bass. also Of
Washington. Mrs Lows voice Is one
OF remarkable sweetness and power.
She sang with fine discretion and the
beautiful quality Of her voice had
every opportunity for display in the
numbers allotted 20 her. Miss Clara
Drew has rarely appeared to better
advantage than in her work last night
Her songs were full of dramatic
strength and size sang them with deep
power Of expression and effectiveness.
Her voice was clear, dramatic, and full
Of color.
Mr.. Humphrey was particularly pleas
ing I'm Here's the Spot to Found Our
Kingdom" accompanying tic Land
sighting chorus. Mr.. Humphrey is al
ways sure TO be conscientious and
painstalSing. Adding 10 this his DeaUti-
ful voice the result could not have
been other than .it was-a beautiful eX-
position Of the composers ideals
Mr.. Hammer has worked such mar
velOus results not only with the society
itself but with the group Of amateur
musicians who comprise the orchestra
that 10 was no wonder he received an
ovation last night. His reading of the
entire program was a JOY. and at its
conclusion the society added its tesu-