The Washington herald., 1908-05-06
SINGERSHONORG GRIEG
Concert of the Choral Society
Draws Packed House.
ORCHESTRA AIDS THE SOL0ISTS
Entertainment In .. a. II. Hall Is
DistinetiveIy One OF the Musical
Soprano, Miss Drew, ContraItOy Mr..
Humphrey, Barytone, Well Liked.

The Choral Society of Washington gave
one of the best concerts in its history
last evening 1t was a Grieg memorial
concert. given in the Continental Memo
rial Hall of the D. A. r., Mr.. Heinrich
Hammer conducting. The audience, which
filled the house, was a tribute to the So
ciety, its special programme. and to the
great composer, who so recently passed
away, at the zenith Of his career.
The soloists were Mrs. Rollie Borden
Low, of New York, soprano; Miss Clara
Drew, Of this city, contralto, and J. Wal
ter Humphrey. barytone. also Of this
city. The orchestra was composed of
amateur players of the city, assisted by a
few members of the Marine Band and
Arthur D. Mayo. organist. The pro-
gramme included:
Three pieces for orchestra (prslude, inteTmezzo.
and Triumphal March,, from the music to
"sgud JoTsalfar' tdrama by Bionsonl. op- Sc,
AT the Cl0ister Gate from Bj0Tns0ns Arnli0t
Geine. composed for solo voices, women's chorus.
and orchestra op- %.
Thanksgiving" poem by Bi0mstieme Bjouson.
composed for male chorus, barytone solo, and or
Three songs for soprano, with orchestra aceompani-
"Springtide," poem by A. o. Vinie; S0lFejgs
Cradle Song and solFeig's song. from the
music TO Ibsen's Peer Gynt
Scenes from "Olay TFygyason, unfinished drama
by BionstjeGne Biornson composed for solo voices,
mixed chorus. and orchestra, op 50
The two choruses, The Cloister Gate" ."
for womens voices. and Thanksgiving. -
for mems voices, were distinctively beau
tiful, and the work of each chorus was
excellent
Solo is Good,
In the latter chorus Mr. Humphreys
voice in the solo, Here's the Spot 10
Found Our Kingdom" was most effective
Mrs. Lows solos were all beautiful
They are difficult, weird. and plaintive
even the gay "Springtide" smacking Of
the tragic. Mrs. Lows voice is Of rich,
mellow quality. and she sings with much
intelligence, pathos, and good style. She
has a good range, with a beautiful mezzo
quality. She sang with orchestra and
harp accompaniment, which, well played,
added 10 the effectiveness Of the songs.
The climax was reached in the last
number, Scenes Of Trygvason," =" a strange
ly descriptive work. with solos for barry
tone, mezzo-soprano. and contralto The
work abounds In dramatic strength and
harmonic intricacies. and can easily be
made tiresome with monotonous singing,
and that II did not become so is due 10
the skill Of the conductor
The orchestra, chorus and sol0ists work
ed well together. and deserve great credit
for their performance Of a great work
At times. the music is awe-inspiring. II
the midst Of the greatest splendor in
harmonies. the simplest and daintiest Of
themes is introduced. with w0men's
voices, "Gaily. Then, Join Ye Games for
the Gracious Gods recurring again and
again until It was lost In a grand and
majestic finale.
Conductor Gets Results.
Mr.. Hammer obtained some great re-
suits. ard showed himself 70 be a con-
ductor Of great force and musical in
tellect.
Miss Drew sang with much dramatic
fire and skill. interpreting the difficult
solos with versatility and seriousness.
The burden Of the solo work fell upon
her in this composition. and she carried
it of with credit Mr.. Humphrey also
showed his splendid quality of voice and
dramatic style In the tragic solos allotted
to him
At the close Of the concert the con-
ductor, a stranger in Washington until
last fall. was overwhelmed with applause
and enthusiasm. from the chorus as well
as from the audience, and a huge bunch
of lOnR-stemmed American Beauties was
Tusled into his arms. a testimonial from
the members of the Choral Society, who
have Iabored so faithfully under him for
many weeks.
Members of Orchestra.