The Kansas City sun. (Kansas City, Mo.) 1908-1924, 1915-04-10
Seven Last Words Of Christ Beautifully
Rendered.
PROF. JACKSON SCORES IN CLASSIC ROLE.
REYNOLDS, ARMSTRONG, GRANT AND DOUG
LASS SHOW SUPERIOR TRAINING

der of Jesus by unfortunate miserables
but the cold reception yea, rejection
of the Divine Christ idea by the
world. 20, all ye that travel upon
the highway, hearken unto me: was
ever sorrow like unto my sorrow? For
the Lord Almighty hath dealt bitter.
ly with me-" Such was the introduc-
tion sung by Miss Effie Grant, which
really sounds a sad and bitter note
that hints of that which is to follow.
The soprano in this effort features
strongly the discordant spirit of the
thought. The wailing of Naomi is tell
ingly sung, producing a rivalry of
voice and string as the orchestra fol-
lows, perhaps the singer discovered an
over eXurberance of volume in what
should have been a simple clear and
bitter outcry but the climax was beau
tifully exact with characteristic tone,
gesture and pose as she sang: Call
me now no more Naomi (glad) from
today call be Mara (sad). Father for
give them for they know not what they
do, was the first word" The Master
| oPOohAh6 OuL vi InC 6OhLlCuCoo VI Ilo
very soul, here the tenor takes up the
song with clear and calm voice unmis-
takably true, a voice trembling only
from the spiritually elevated thought
being expressed "And the people clam
ored: He is Death guilty"-"Take
Him-Let us cruelty HIM" Be his
blood upon our children, gloriously
rendered by the chorus like great
charge, the kettle drums roaring, the
violins fairly bristling, every voice ex-
pressing the intensity of the mob
feeling. "He is death guilty." Cruelty
Him." He is the One" could be heard
throughout the recital, whilst the plan
| ist, Miss HELEN Minnis graphically
rumbled over her instrument with Won
derful technique or manipulative skill
giving a deep dramatic effect all the
while the organist, Miss Beulah Doug
less gathered every voice and string
with the even toned organ, tenor and
baritone alike still voice-"Father for
give them" but the unrelenting mob
He is death guilty." Cruelty Him."
Then they did cruelty Jesus and the
two thieves, one at His right hand,
the other at His left hand" This rem
dered solemn, calm and sad as one
viewing the debris that remains in the
wake of storm. The singing was
fine, the orchestra was effective, the
accompanying organ and piano were
all that could be asked. Prof. Jackson
standing between orchestra and chorus
one could imagine all the whole pro-
duction passinb through his very frame
as he worked up every expression with
his sould appreciation and mastery
direction. Verify, thou shall be in
paradise today with Me-" this assur.
ance to the thieves is told in duet
by tenor and baritone, Armstrong and
Reynolds, the soloists of the occasion
and in this double effort both showed
to good a dvantage. Next came the
Chopin effect in the third word"
"See, o, woman! Here behold thy
Son beloved" Here a profound note
of sadness was struck with softened
tones of soprano, tenor, baritone and
chorus, wonderful degree of express
ion was reached. God, my Father,
why hast thou forsaken Me?" Mr.
Reynolds distinguishes himself in this
single effort and the beautiful after.
math of the orchestra, who had done
splendid work all the way through was
now conspicuously noticeable, they
played this over just as true as mathe-
matics only with an added soul. 81
am athirstl" by Reynolds, then sounds
the tinkling violins ere the bursting of
that mighty, trembling, railing and
mocking mob. 'Ah! Thou would fain
destroy the temple. . If thou are king
of Israel, save thyself then!" Again:
am athirst by the baritone and again
the mocking cry the chorus taking 1t
up with positive vim "Save thyself!"
The third time: Il am athirst!" with
abrupt ending as if the whimsical muir
derers had taken a new and sudden
turn of mind, indeed, the scriptures
tell of the veil being rent in twain,
certainly nothing could have been
more effective than this great chorus
and orchestra. All that matchless vio-
lin prelude to the sixth word: Father
unto thy hands command my soul"
slight confusion of tenor and chorus
was noticed along here but was soon
overcome. Next 1T is finished" The
bass gave prominence here, soprano
and pianist stood out bolding with
characteristic work, then kettle drums
dying away. 1t would take a history
to adequately review this great work
We have already exceeded our allotted
space. All credit is due Prof. Jackson
and others for the great recital. The
affair is to be annual, bigger and bet
ter
CHARLES A. STARKS.
Mr. -wis Wooda who hos haan