The Washington herald., 1908-05-13
MEMORY HONORED IN SONG
Musicians Pay Fitting Tribute to
Composer Mcdowell.
Concert Given by the Musical Art
Society Proves an Artistic
Success.

The Musical Art Society, OF this city,
gave a memorable MacDowell Memorial
concert yesterday afternoon IN the Co
lumbia Theater. They were assisted by
Nine Florence Mulford, mszzo soprano;
Dr. Franklin P Lawson. tenor Mr. Fred
erick Martin, bssso. all OF New York;
Mr. Carl Webster. OF Boston, vlolincel-
list: Mr.. Oscar Franklin Comstoek, Of
this city. pianist. and the Boston Festi-
val Orchestra. TIE audience was good
ly-sized one In the balcony and gallery.
but there was a lamentable number Of
vacant seats on the first floor, showing a
poor tribute to the local organization,
which has lsbored faithfully in the
cause. and to the dead musician. sc-
knowiedged everywhere to be the greatest
Of American composers, and ranking with
the contemporaneous composers in the
older world.
The Musical Art Society, a carefully
selected number Of men and women sing
ers, sang beautifully. Their numbers in
eluded: From the Sea- The Collier
Lassie." "The Brook 'Slumber Sons"
and 'BaFcarJlle." The tone effects were
excellent and the shading was delicate
and even. There were also choruses Of
mems voices and choruses OF womsn's.
the former sing Midsummer Clouds,
The Fisher Boy" and Dance of tine
Gnomes," and the latter singing Bonnie
Ann, Cradle Song" and 'Springtime.
The women made quite the bit OF the
concerted numbers. their songs being
more pleasing. and their work being
more even and clean. II their ehoruses
were apparently a little high, it was due
20 the fact that they had 70 sing mems
choruses. arranged for womens voices as
Mr.. MacDowell wrote no music fer women
choruses.
The solo singers were all above the
average, and each gave the audience a
special treat Nine Mulford quite carried
the audience away with a glorious mezzo
soprano voice, especially deep. mellow.
and powerful In the lower register, and
clear and resonant in the upper. She
has much temperament, good tone
throughout and a charming personality.
Her phrasing is most intelligent and art
istic. and her enunciation excellent.
Her songs were Thy Beaming Eyes"
so familiar TO ali American singers, and
Deserted, and a beautiful song, THE
Blue Bell" Mr. Martin showed himself
the great artist in his songs. The Sea,
The swan Bent Low, Long Ago" and "A
Maid Sings Light" He is a versatile
singer. with a remarkable control OF a
very powerful voice. Dr. Lawson was
equally successful IN the Midsummer
Lullaby" Through the Meadow"
Merry Maiden and Spring" He has a
charming voice of splendid range. and
sings with delightful enunciation and
STYLE.
Mr. Webster's cello solo. the Romance,
the only solo for cello MaeDowell wrote.
was one Of the best numbers He played
with good tone and style. and showed
much skill with his difficult instrument
The orchestra did most ereditable and
artistic work. They played with deep
feeling and much sentiment and with
very evident painstaking care, as well
as abandon. The Indian Suite, No. 2, in
minor. which opened the programme
was exquisitely done In all parts, the
dirge being especially impressive, and
the gsyety OF the last movement which
followed. being given with great delicaey
and nnish. Their othaz numbers vera