The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1912-09-03
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Monday Music Club Recital.

Monday Music Club Recital.
II by chance anybody went to the
recital last evening feeling old, a
magic transformation must soon have
been effected by the youthful enthus-
iasm and convincing earnestness OF
the three young artists who were
heard: William Lester, lectnrer-Ac-
companist: Margaret Ann sm;,,,ae so
prano; William g. Hay, bass-baritone.
These three presented program OF
unusual interest, and presented 1t in
manner 80 artistic that the audience
was quite carried away with 1t.
And If by chance anybody went to
the recital last evening feeling out OF
humor toward anybody else In all the
world this pique must soon have melt
4 ed away under the spell of the music
these three young people presented
with such evident mutual good will
and thorough friendly understanding.
Mr.. Lester opened the program with
a half hour talk on the three COM
posers whose works we're to be sung.
and it was most interesting to hear
these writer's Of song characterized
by one SO competent to make an
authoritative analysis; and at the same
time to view them from the vantage
point of composer; for Mr.. Lester
has himself written songs, that emin-
ent critics have placed on par with
those of the masters.
i In Analysing the songs of Robert
Franz Robert Schumann and Peter
Cornelius, Mr.. Lester showed happy
faculty for going straight to the most
notable characteristic and giving the
audience, though made up largely OF
, laymen, a full grasp of his own well
defined ideas. And even the layman
could appreciate something of Mr..
Testers broad knowledge of song lit
erature and his unusual grasp OF its
entire range, from hearing this short
half hour talk. By means Of 1t he not
, only made possible keener appre,
, citation of the songs, but did much TIC
establish the mood in which they could
be heard with the deepest pleasure.
Miss Smith has a clear, beautiful
soprano voice, of more than usua
range. Her high notes are as swee'
! and clear as those Of the finished
: lyric soprano, while her medium ane
low tones are rich and full
e The Schumann songs, with thei
s fine shades of meaning and delicat
d Igraduations of tone coloring, coul,
have found no better medium for eS
e lpression than just such a voice a.
Y hers. Her manner Is simple and ur
# affected and this, added to her charm
It ing personality, won the admiration
t, of everybody.
d Mr.. Hays voice Is characterized b
e a richness of resonance which is pa
v ticularly fitting In voice of such di.
is nifty. His style is flowing and stron
i. and his work is stamped by dee
q sincerity. His sustained tones are {
q rare beauty.
a In the songs of Robert Franz, M
u Hay displayed ease and mastery
g the style of the composer that wa
"a particularly pleasing. The strong an
somber character of the less familia
=, Cornelius songs, was we'll interpreted
ff and they were received with entnu
>, iasm.
a Mr.. Lester, while playing always a
- exact and authentic accompaniment
: displayed charming individuality
: his work at the piano, manifesting hi
: own mastery of teehnic and int
;, probation without for moment fai
!. ing to express his perfect sympath
- with the singer One could undo
- stand when listening to him, VIII
critics should call his accompanii
y ments incompatible.
- At the close of the program, tn
:, audience refused to go home till i
;. played piano solo, and this was r
= ceived with hearty applause and a
probation.