The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1912-12-20

Whose compositions were presented at social gather
ing for charity benefit.
tenor. came down from New York with
Miss Ware last night to eXpOund a few
OF these lyrics.
Miss Wares most ambitious work, how
ever, is the cantata Sir Oluf." which
was sung last night by the chorus Of
the Friday Morning Music Club. Mrs.
Gawler and MIR. Veazie taking the solo
parts. Prof. Heinrich Hammer conduct
ing. The English version of the poem is
the work of Cecil Tanning. well known in
Erand opera circles. For his setting he
has created a half-real world.
In writing the music for this Cantata
the musical collaboration with the poetic
themes are uniformly ideal. The themes
are dignified and never trivial, sometimes
rising to great significance and beauty.
There is not however in every case per-
feet unity between poem and music. For
instance the chorus of elves at the be-
ginning has not the fresh sylvan lowell
ness imaginable for a setting of woodland
fairies. In the aria, What no, my Steed!
also there is utter lack of unity between
the words and the music. There is no
point Of color in either rhythm or curve
of melody: the tones follow each in
level regularity quite lifeless. The same
fault is to be found in Miss Wares song.
1 ne fbTSldu ENtItIdiF III "iiANll aiAS
initial phrase. 'Hark! How the Nightin-
gale Wakes from Repose"' is rhythmi-
calIy fiat and melOdically almost quite so.
Part of the Programme.
The songs chosen for Interpretation
last night were: Joy of the Morning."
Wind and Pyre,' and The Cross"
poems by Edwin Markham; Persian
Serenade." poem by Bayard Taylor;
Hindu Slumber Song" To Lucasta,"
and Boat Song" the words by Sir
Richard Lovelace; The Sunlight"
waltz song: and a cycle for two voices,
entitled "A Day in Already" comprising
three songs. Spring Morning" The
Seas OF Noon" and Good Night"
OF these, Wind and Lyre," Good
Night" Of the cycle for two voices:
The Cross and the Boat Song" rise
to the highest lyrical beauty; and the
best of the best OF these are as Spon
taneous as the folksOng The ORR
entail atmosphere of the Hindu Slumber
Song and the Persian Serenade" is not
quite convincing, nevertheless the for
mer is a gem of great beauty. The
Sunlight is an enchanting song in waltz
rythm of dainty sensuOus beauty. This
was sung by Miss McFalI.
Mrs GawIer sang the arias for the
Erlkings daughter with highly finished
and sympathetic Interpretation. Mrs
Gawler has a clear, well-trained voice
of pleasing quality. Mr.. Veazie was in
fine voice. but was not quite adequate to
the dramatic requirements Of the Sir
Ouf role.
1t would he difficult to describe the
remarkable beauty and perfect adequacy
of Miss Wares accompanying The ac-
compartments to her songs are indeed
like Shumann integral part OF the
song, and require the highest musician
ship and poetic insight for their inter-
probation. In some of the songs the ac-
compartment Is more significant than the
melody. This is notably true OF the
boat song, the melody OF which is trivi<l
in comparison with the accompaniment.
One is tempted to speak of these songs
as piano lyrics with a thread Of vocal
color contrast.
The subtle phrasing. delicate shadings,
and color tints of Miss Wares songs
were brought out with great judgment
and fine voice by Mr.. Wells.
The concert was given for the benefit
of the George Washington Hospital, and
A good sum was realized.