Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1918-11-27
| Nj y S | C.

1t must have been encouraging to
the Music department of the Omaha
Woman's club to have had so large
an audience manifest its interest in
the series OF concerts by local ar
lists which are being sponsored by
this organization, as that which at
tended the first concert of the Sc
rles, which took place at the Young
Woman's Christian association au-
ditorium last evening. 1t must have
been encouraging not only to Mrs.
w. Z. Shafer and her assistants in
managing it, but also to all the mu-
sicians who will take part in these
concerts, and to Mrs. Edith L. Wag-
oner and Mr.. Robert Cuscaden in
particular, as they furnished the
program last evening.
Both Mrs. Wagner and Mr.. Gus
caden are we'll known in Omaha for
their enthusiasm for and devotion to
the cause of music. Both have done
much for the development OF music
as an art in Omaha, and the casual
listener might be tempted to think,
from their performance last eve
ming. that they did little else but
practice on their respective instra<
ments, instead of rather giving q
large share of their time to teaching
md other interests.
The concert was of high orcer,
which would be considered worth
while in many a larger city than
Omaha, and it not only opened this
series auspiciously but it presaged
we'll for those which are to follow
Mr.. Cuscaden and Mrs. Wagner
opened the program with a little
played sonata for violin and piano
by Gade, in which both made the
most of their respective opportu-
mites in musical dialogue.
Mrs. Wagner contributed two in
dividual groups both noticeable for
the excellent judgment in choice of
which has come to be asso-
ciated with Mrs. Wagner, and also
by the breadth of interpretive de-
mand made by them. The first
group was made up of numbers by
Mcdowell, the first two of which
were delightful arrangements of
musical antiques by Rameau. After
the "Elfn Dance" a graceful ar
of an Irish melody, was
given as an encore. In the second
group a quaint "Minuet" by Zanella,
an interesting and brilliant la
Source" by Dolmetsch and two
Chopin numbers again brought out
the range of Mrs. Wagoner's inter-
pretive possibilities. The Butter
fly Etude" was repeated, and other
encores were given.
Mr.. Cuscaden played a group Of
charming smaller violin numbers
and the Concerto in D minor by
Vieuxtemps, as well as encores. with
Miss Ruth Flynn accompanist. Mr..
Cuscaden's group was also attrac-
lively chosen for variety both in sub
iect matter and musical demands.
Of these was wholesome Ga
Vote by Gossec, arranged by Mr..
cuscaden. and a Berceuse of grace
jul melody and played with the ut
most restraint, and brilliant
'Wind' by Novacek. The Vieux-
:emps concerto again gave Mr..
~uscaden opportunity to show the
qualities Of his playing,
and to meet the many demands
which he had made for himself. Miss
Flynn proved a very satisfactory
musical accompanist. Upon the
whole it was a most excellent pro-
gram. 1t makes one think that every
one was only awaiting the oppor-
unity for some one to start series
If this sort, and that it is very much
10 the point and only needed some
leading organization, such as this
department. of the club. to start it.
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