Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-02-10
Samuelson Delights
in Pianoforte Recital

Scarcely seat remained unoccup1ed
last evening when Arvid Samuelson,
head of the piano department Of Au-
gustana conservatory, gave program
of pianoforte music in the auditorium
in the first recital wherein he gave the
entire program. Mr.. Samuelson's
task was arduous for his program was
heavy and demanded much versatility
on the part Of the interpreter. But the
pianist was equal to the occasion. He
played most conscientiously but with
artistic finish he did not permit his
painstaking efforts to become studied.
There seemed to be an unusual amount
of fervor in his playing. He is the
possessor of much nervous energy as
we'll as strength Of arm and finger and
he can produce an enormous volume of
tone with comparative ease. In his
playing he typifies the virile, mascu-
line element in his art. He plays his
pianissimo passages clearly and he can
be lyric as we'll as impressionistic.
| Mr.. Samuelson's program follows:
| Toccata and Fugue, D minor ......
| bdCu- duSIS
Sonata Appassionata, OPP 81. Beethoven
! Allegro assai
Andante con motto
Allegro ma non troppo
| Presto
Nocturne, sharp minor ..........
Mazurka, A minor ................
Polonaise, OPP. 50 Observation-Disclosures.
| Serenade ..................Z erkOWltz
Fine Liebesnovelle, Op 6, first move
ment WOlH
L'Alouette (The Lark .............
Observation-Disclosures. Glinka-Bslakirew
Hungarian Rhapsody, No. ST.. List
i His best number was perhaps his
last, the sixth Hungarian rhapsody by
List wherein he brought out the
vhythmic, pompous, bold almost bar
barrie splendor of the opening passages,
followed by the rollicking drinking
song, the doleful lament Of life and
the wild, impetuous, overwhelming
climax Of the composition. The Bee
thoven sonata was splendidly given.
The secret of interpreting Beethoven
sonatas lies in discovering the condi-
tons of their origin in order to place
ones self in the same mood in which
Beethoven composed them. This Mr.
Capono1Snn cnornod in oonH
to have been able to do. The Chopin
Polonaise was played with virile pow
er and forceful expression, bringing
out the wild, impetuous swing of the
polonaise with a brilliant octave eli
max of the left hand Mr. Samuelson
did some remarkably good pedal work
allowing the tones to drop one after
another from the chord with a pecu-
liar. pleasing effect.
The audience was most enthusiastic
in its reception of the young artist
and demanded two encore numbers
Mr.. Samuelson playing especially well
the first March Mignon" by Poldini
Mr.. Samuelson has dignifed stage
presence and resorts to no subterfuge
to trick an audience.
But again the audible auditor was
in evidence, and Mr. Samuelson played
against conversation wherein all sub
jects were discussed from the bes
ingredient to use in frying potatoes
to the latest method of combating the
grippe-subjects all right in theil
place, but quite out of place in the
concert hall. 1t is selfishness person
flied to say the least, and most unfair
to the performer, who is putting fortl
his every effort to please those wht
really come to hear, and to those fl
the audience that are trying to listen
1t is good thing to cultivate tina
marked characteristic of good breed
ing-the habit of careful listening.