The Kansas City sun. (Kansas City, Mo.) 1908-1924, 1916-02-05
CITY, MISSOURI SATURDAY, FEBRUARY s. 1915.
Show Us Negro Paper That Can S This Issue of the Kansas CITY Sun

pranos take up the story: "Kimi wa
loved of Tenko,' then chorus burst
| ing out with soprano section leadinl
"Peonies crowned the way" in a hap
by effort-"clad in blue and white ar
| ray" came Sawara to the school," al
told in a highly iubilant tone, the
whole chorus reaching a glorious out
burst of expression. Sopranos and al
tos alike vying with bass and tenol
while piano fairly rippled and talked
Thus goes the development of this
highly wrought story under Asiatii
sky and poetic influence. Perhaps
excepting the work of the generous
chorus which did credit to Prof
Works training, Mrs. Emma Payne
the contralto soloist, was easily the
star. This lady has some fine native
qualities as an interpreter of song, viz.
passion, deep sympathy, pathos and
rich mellow voice. When singing
the song thought seems to permeate
her whole being, radiating her coun
tenance to an ethereal light This is
especially discernible as she thus tells
of Sawara: Far away his growing
fame, lit the clouds no message came
from the sky whereon she gazed, un.
der the silvery willow tree, far away
from Tenko."
Singing these lines in highly ac.
celerated voice and dying with that
extended roundness and tranquility as
the spirit of the song requires. "Un.
der the silvery willow tree, far away
from Tenko, small white hands in the
temple raised" Madam Corrine Les
ter, the soprano soloist, takes up the
narration-"Stick of incense in the
flame, tho my love forget my name,
help him, bless him all the same and
bring him back to Tenko." Only in a
few instances did the madam show
her former brilliancy in singing.
1t is the writer's opinion that the par
ticular song was unsuitable to show
the singer to best advantage. The
madam will always do better in high
vocalization or operate flourish rath-
er than in turns where pure feeling
and sweet melody are required. Now
chorus, now basses and baritone take
the tale until tenor solo is reached.
This is sung by Capt. N Clark Smith.
Sawara, remember, has returned for
his love. This girl is named Kimi. Sa-
wara applies himself to Tenko, the
girls uncle. Tenko for certain rea-
sons cruelty tells Sawara that "Kimi
left me all alone, under the silvery
willow tree, left me, whispered Tenko,
Kimi had a heart of stone" This
statement bewilders and dazes Sawara
and he does not know how to take it.
manner Mr.. Smith rendered it follow
ing both the sense and spirit of the
music. The tenor must express the be-
wilderment of Sawara, must sing as if
one was thinking aloud or as trying to
collect some half-gone thoughts to-
gether. "Kimi, Kimi, who is she?
Kimi? All the child that played round
the willow tree, she prayed often and
what e'er l said she believed it Ten
ko." Understanding the sense of the
story in this simple way you can ac-
count for the singers apparent incon-
gruity when he sang "Kimi-Kimi-
Kimi" in his quiet way. Nevertheless
we do not believe The great bandmas-
ter's forte is anywhere outside of the
circle of his band.
After all we must not assume any
severe or critical attitude toward local
efforts in music, yet we must have our
ideals in such if we are to lift the com.
munity to higher standard of musi-
cal conception. We must insist on GER
tain standards and work faithfully and
with pleasure to attain them. Prof
Work has started the ball "a rolling
other prominent musicians have co.
operated. Watch Colored Kansas City
go up the ladder of progress in music
Prof. Jackson with his chorus at w. U
and Allen Chapel, Madame Bacote
with her splendid choir at the Second
Baptist church, Captain N. Clark
Smiths band and Prof. Works IS. Col
eridge Taylor Union" all jointly, co
operatively and pleasantly working to
gether, are bound to bring great re
suits. Prof. Work must be accorded
much credit for the initial effort of a
broader work in musical uplift. These
different recitals are to be given
monthly. People interested in these
affairs from a musical standpoint will
be added and sought and developed
There will be no favoritism on socia
prestige. The chief motive will be tc
elevate the taste for better music, bet
ter sung and better played. 1t is be
lieved that near 10000 Colored people
will approve of this by their patron
age and cooperation in great Kansas
City.