The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1909-11-10
LARGE CROWD At
BRILLIANT CONCERT
MRS. ALDRlCH, MR.. STULTS AND
MRS. BEECHER ENTHUSIAST
CALLY REcEIvED-vARIE PRO-
GRAM FINELY RENDERED.

The concert at the Jefferson theatre last
night for the benefit of st. Mary's Free
Kindergarten building was splendid sue
cess, both in point of attendance and ar
tistic achievement. Seldom has so large
an audience been seen here this season on
any occasion; and as for the performance
nothing in the form of a recital heard
In Birmingham in many a day has been
quite so satisfying.
Those taking part were Mrs. Truman
Aldrich, Jr.. piano; Walter Allen Stults
of Chicago, basso; Mrs Leonard Beecher
reader; Mrs. Edward Castle Wells, violin,
and Clarence Klenk, violoncello. The pro-
gramme was as follows:
Hear Me. Ye Winds and Waves" (Han-
deD, Mr.. Stults.
GGavotte (Gluck-Brams), Scherzo CMen-
delssohn) Novelette, E. major (Schu
MANN, Mrs. Aldrich
Traum durch die Dammerung Is.
Strauss), Verrat, Standchen (Brahms).
Die Beiden Grenadiere (Schumann), Mr..
Suits.
Barcarolle (GrodzkD, Rakoczky March
Qiszt), Mrs Aldrich.
Love on Tiptoe (Kaun), The Horn (Flf-
ger), Mandoline Debussy), The Pau
pei OTlNt tf1OileIJ, OoHS i11dllitl
Ware), Widdicombe Fair (Andrews), Mr..
Suits.
The Ballad of Despair (Bromberg), Mrs.
Beecher. Mr.. stults. Mrs. Welyls, Mr..
Klenk, Mrs AIdrich.
Mr.. Suits appeared before a Brming
ham audience for the first time and his
reception was distinctly cordial. His
openig number-a classic recitative and
aria-was we'll chosen, for it revealed
noble style and a fine breadth of express
sion Mr.. Suits is young artist with
a deep. fresh voice and perfect vocaliza-
ton. His musicianship was in evidence
in everything he essayed-in the exact
ing Handel number and in the smaller
songs, humorous as well as lyric. One
of the most difficult things he sang was
the "Mandoline." by Debussy. but so
finished was his art, that it seemed only
an easy little song.
Schumann's Two Grenadiers, a prime
favorite of other days, was greatly en-
joyed. 1t was sung with martial spirit
and recalled no doubt to the older music
lovers in the audience its rendition by
distinguished baritones and basso's of
the past.
Mr. Suits had many recalls and was
forced to respond to two or three en-
cores.
Mrs. Aldrich achieved a notable tri-
umph. 1t was her first appearance in
public this season and she received a
genuine ovation. In the five pieces
which she played there was variety,
and in every one of them artistic beau
ty. The Gluck Brahms gavotte, in the
repertoire of nearly every virtuoso. is
at once dainty and quaint, and the
grace and clarity with which Mrs. AL
drich played it would have entitled her
to recognition as an artist had she
done nothing more. But everything fle
played revealed virtuosity and estab-
ilshed her rank as that of a hsgh-c/ IS
musician. She has a beautiful tone and
a yelvety touch for all delicate pas
sages; sureness and brilliance for all
bravura playing; and fire and compell-
ing dash for all strong climaxes. She
feels what she plays while her poetic
insight and her keen intelligence en-
able her to interpret the composer with
real authority. Mrs. Aldrich's warm
reception made it clear that Birming-
ham is proud of her and 1t Is safe to
say that whenever she appears she Will
draw a crowd
Mrs. Beecher, in poetic recital, is always
delightful, and she seemed fairly to sur
pass herself last night She has rare
hstrionic talent, a sonorous voice and
a charming personality THE Ballad of
Despair" was given with smooth mu-
steal ensemble and was a fitting close to
programme every number OF which
was Of artistic value. w. r.