Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-05-30
JOHN POWELL THRILLS
AUDIENCE WITH SONATA
Splendid Ovation Greets Artist
When He Appears ut Wo-
mans Club.
HAS WONDERFUL MEssAG
Compositions Theme Not Merely for
Cathedral nor Battle Field, but
May Be Sung at Task Of Iiomely
Things.
ny nnENT WITT.

John Powell played his Sonata Tcu-
tonica" ut the Womans Club last even
ing. AS artists, critics and music-lov-
ers In many lands and of alien tongues
have united In their praise of this great
composition of Mr.. Powell. 1t behooves
one only to speak Of the theme Of tho
composer and it's ringing message to
the world of to-day and tomorrow.
The sonata has been played on only
four occasions. Abroad, great audi
ences rose to the artist, and their APP
plause and "bravos" have been record
ed with most favorable comment by
music critics upon the pages of the
leading publications of Europe In this
country Mr.. Powell has had a great
success. and his recitals have won him
fresh laurels to add TO those already
gained in foreign lands.
In explaining the theme and deep,
underlying meaning of his composition,
Mr. Powell! said that with this audi
ence he could be frank. making de-
mands upon their patience and under
standing as he would not do of another.
because he was among his own people,
and right royalty did they receive him.
About this supreme effort Of his life
the artist spoke in simple, unstudied
manner. 1t was a sketch-an impress
sion and he craved the Indulgence Of
his audience for the chain of ideas and
feelings which he had attempted to
embody in his sonata One must listen
to him with the same attitude one as
sumcd toward the unfinished sketch
of the craftsman.
SONATA WAS COMPLETED
IN FALL OF 1913
The motif of the sonata is The ocean
is in the drop. rs the drop is i'm the
ocean," and this phrase embodieS the
meaning of the whole thng-not only
this composition. but the whole philos-
ophy of life. The title is the Sonata
Teutonica. 1t was completed Scptem-
Der, 1913, before the word Teutonic
had been given different meaning.
and the word Teutonic is used in no
racial sense. AngloSaNons are leu
tons. Scandinavians and Teutons. even
Franks are Teutons: but the word is
used in a still broader sense. If we
look back in the realm of history VIC
find certain Municipalities; these stand
out not only as typical of their time
but of all ages. These men all had
one thing in common-their sense of
oneness with the universe. When we
come to more recent times we notice
that the greater number OF men Of
this type are of Teutonic origin, wheth-
err in the field of literature, music,
sociology, science or craftsmanship.
! Now, music is the logical process of
expressing emotional experience. 1t
Is the essence OF every high thought.
every noble ambition, and in the strug-
pass through such tragic emotion as
only music may ftly transcribe.
The idea of the sonata is this said
Mr.. Powell: People here represent
many thoughts and shades of meaning.
II each will take that which to you is
highest, most sacred and most holy,
that is what ! am trying to express,
not something separate and apart from
reality. Take this main central prin-
ciple, and it's fundamental quality will
he identical with the motto-thc one
ness of all things"
AUDIENCE IS STIRRED
BY MASTERS HAND
The sonata is divided into three
movements; first, the idea: second, from
the standpoint of emotional nature,
and. third, the idea acting upon this
temperament. There is nothing as
celtic or morbid about it. 1t is full OF
tremendous courageous activity-a
spirit which can face a world OF ca
lamity and despair undaunted. The
motif of oneness, or unity. runs through
the whole. typifyinG the principle.
The playing OF the sonata followed.
From the hands of the mastermaker of
music came notes that thrilled and
stirred the great audience. One heard
the theme Of victory, mingled with the
simple folk song, simple, home like