The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-03-28
HEhaUS CONCERT

A song recital given entirely in
English was the offering to Topeka's
concert going public Tuesday night
at the First Baptist church, when
Percy Hemus, distinguished baritone,
came back to Topeka, his former
home. to give the program. He has
won the approval of the critical world
outside; so that ones judgment of his
work need not be colored by any sense
of local pride.
ular does not occasion the apologies
found necessary in former years,
when singers were striving to employ
talents trained to the enunciation of
service of English. Mr.. Hemus, while
he sings in the foreign texts, finds
neither difficulty nor embarrassment
in the employment thru song, of his
own language, for he was one of those
who gave announcement to the sing
ing of a greater proportion of native
songs on eastern concert programs.
In choosing his program, Mr.. Hemus
gave it remarkable variety, making a
wide range in his choice of composers.
The first two numbers, "Where'er You
Walk and Hear Me. Ye Winds and
Waves" were by Handel. while in the
second group he sang April Tide,
written by Ralph Cox and dedicated
to him In his last group was the
little song Flower Rain" written by
peka when Madame Gadski sing it.
One of the newest numbers was writ
ten by Sousa after the beginning of
the present war. 1t is entitled Boots"
and is based on the reports of mad
ness among the soldiers caused by the
sound of boots on the ground in long
marches.
Mr.. Hemus's voice is a baritone,
clear, of wide range, and unmistak-
ably sympathetic in quality. His pro-
gram, tho not employing a great deal
of vocal display, sufficed to disclose
an art pleasing by it's command of
vocal resources and by its broad and
convincing mastery of the more mu-
steal aspects of song Interpretation.
His voice is one of good resonance,
and his singing sets forth the ideals
of lyric defamation with rare clarity
and completeness.
However, it is in the dramatic
reading of his texts that the most
popular appeal in his music is found
His enunciation is perfect, and he
gives his songs. whether grave or gay,
dramatic or quietly lyric, with facile
and Illuminating emphasis of sense
and mood. 1t is this versatility that
makes equally interesting a simple
song like the negro melodies, Deep
River" and "A Southern Lullaby" or
the old clowns song from the Winters
Tale, the immensely dramatic episode
of Danny Deever's hanging, or Hahn's
poetic monotone in praise of peace.
The audience derived some thrills
from Huhn's "Invictus," and Gilbert s
Pirate Song" and demanded an en-
core after the Irish ditty I'm Not My
self at ALL The number, Boots -
is worthy of special mention, not only
by reason of its dramatic possibilities
and some peculiarities in it's compo-
sition, but also by reason of it's spe-
cial appeal of the moment.
A good sized audience attended the
concert, many of the people remain
ing to greet Mr.. Hemus as a personal
friend as well as a successful artist
Mr.. Daniel Muller. under whose au-
| spices he came to Topeka. has ar
/ ranged for him to give another con-
| cert in this city next season.
Mr.. Hemuss wife. whose program
name is Gladys Craven, is his accom-
PIANIST, and an. able pianist.-B. H.