Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1917-02-04
By HENRIETTA M. REES.

BSN3IH its public performers, the
more the importance OF
manner impresses one. This
refers not so much to the manner OF
their Interpretation, as to the general
manner upon the stage. or course,
there is the manner of playing or sing
ing that each one has, Just as each one
has certain manners Of speech or
laughing, which makes US able to
recognize our friends when unseen,
of certain violinists and vocalists upon
The phonograph, after we are more
or less familiar with their quality OF
tone and manner of interpreting. But
the general manner OF player or
singer before an audience has a great
deal to do with the success OF his
work. A positive, simple and unaf-
fected manner is an asset, but
negative, uncomfortable or affected
manner prejudices an audience more
or less accordingly. Both musi-
cal and the less musical people at
recital are affected by the manner OF
the interpreter, the less musical to
an even greater degree than the 9TH
ers.
The great artists who appear from
time to time before us have gracious
easy manners. Is it because they are
great artists or are they great artists
partIy because their manner helped
them to SUGGEST
We often hear OF some person who
from musical standpoint Is superior
TO some other one, yet one will make
a success before the public and the
other will not Personality IS without
doubt the cause of it, yet personality
in public performance is judged to
a great extent by manner.
There is much that could be said
about this. There are the. singers
whom we have to admit sing well,
while we heartily dislike them every
minute they arc singing, because OF
their manner. There are the players
who play beautifully, but spoil hall
Of the effect Of it by the way they
carry themselves upon the stage, the
expression they wear, and their man
ner OF acknowledgment.
People are often wholly mcon-
scious of how they look or act upon
the stage, and sometimes all mno-
Gently, through concentration upon
the music they are about to play, or
sing their manner is not favorable;
Others are too conscious, and add
unnecessary motions, or are unneces-
sarily awkward as a result. In innu-
merable ways the manner will pass
over TO the audience, the silent ae-
acknowledgement OF conceit, fright, lack
Of interest or a number Of other points
Of character or mood. Manner is a
thing which should be considered
during the years of musical training.
Al pupils recitals the manner OF en-
terif,g and exiting should not only be
thought about and spoken of, but re-
hearsed beforehand, and an easy. and
pleasant manner cultivated. 1t is OF
exceeding importance to the public
performer to have an attractive man
ner, even though he has to reform his
whole personality in order to &C
quire it.
In view of the forthcoming visit
of Mrs. Mcdowell Saturday evening,
February 10, it might be interesting
10 turn our attention for moment
"a some OF the achievements OF her
late highly gifted husband, whose
fame as a composer has become
known all over the musical world,
How much Of his music DO you
known lust a little more than likely, |
A few songs. ITO a Wild Rose" and
! few other piano compositions. Yet |
rons;der;bg his early death, at the age !
q an ,,..rs he WAS ouite a prolifc |
VI ~ yeois' - .L:.us h. |
composer. Among othe' thhse Nv
wrote for piano and orchestra, TWO |
a..os. for ,eelIo and orchestra. a |
aUneei We ), so,r eoratas
Romance, TOT pidho, ioui eoha.ae
fprobably the climax OF his creatiSe
t:a,,na,a,teA tuyo suites and some |
AZ ...J. .nJ c,U- |
lU/ pieces OF varying sty'e anu N"'
hire. several numbers tor male cnOfus
l.La fr,;t ~ HE d;rertorship of the |
stnS ttN f..r.... g.
MenuelssoHn Oiee siupj, ioe't.S
mixed chorus; and last, but not least, |
forti,-,wo songs Mrs. Mcdowell in |
.:..t T.L. ,,oc.ads |
her forthcomihg recHai N,n. P,veeeus
fists colony at Peterborough. which
Mcdowell himself planned), presents
not only rare opportunity for a
wider acquaintance with this music,
which established her husband as an
acknowledged genius, and the great
est OF American composers, but also
4 chance to get view OF the COM
poser's own interpretation Of his work |
/
him.
Her program will be as follows: 2
short talk on the work Of the Mac
poSeli Memorial S1a S assoc ~
Fiue idyi-From Opus Is.