Evening star., 1921-02-11
Thurlow Lieurauce Recital.

One Of the unique, most interesting
and delightful programs heard in
Washington recently was given last
evening by Thurlow Lieurance. COM
poser-pianist; assisted by Edna Wool
ey, soprano and interpreter; Harry
W. Anderson, violinist, and George B.
Tack, futist. The concert was ar
ranged by the Rho Beta Chapter Of
the Mu Phi Epsilon national musical
sorority. and was heard by q large
audience which filled the auditorium
of the new Masonic Temple. The
program was entirely Of the Indian
music which Mr.. Lieurance has har-
man, yet preserved distinctly Indian.
as record Of tone pictures OF a race
now vanishing.
Edna wooley, who is Mrs. Thurlow
Lieurance. was adopted into the Chip
psWa pew tribe in 1916. when Peter Green
known as "Nah-Mee," meaning lit
tie sister. She is well qualified to
interpret these strange and fascinat-
ing melodies and has a soprano voice
OF beiilike clearness. yet with a rich
almost Of contralto quality. She
wore the costumes of the different
tribes, each made by herself. and
her entrance and exits were made
from an Indian tent.
Sioux dialect and "O'er the Indian
Cradle" Sioux lullaby. was partly
Spring Bird" ('ski-Bi-Bi-La') also a
Sioux theme. and the famous Sioux
love song: BY the Waters Of Mime
tonka," had to be repeated. They
were all sung with violin, dute and
piano accompaniment. with Mr.. Lieur-
ance himself at the piano.
Mr. Lieurance. who is dean Of mu-
mt
gave short explanation Of each
group OF songs. and in addition gave
Ia short analysis Of Indian themes.
showing that each stands for some-
thing in the life Of the Indian. He
also told OF the difference in the
what they were made The Hopi
flutes Of four tones, the Cheyenne Of
hve tones and the Omaha and Naya 10
iof six tones. The themes Of the
Lullaby From the Taoa Pueblas" and
ON one f9en,o CnaHonas Spring s. Song were played
fore Mrs. Lieurance sang them.
ine last number was a dramatiza-
ton OF a fre dance, in which a hymn
to the sun god is introduced. Mr.:
Lieurance drst explained the core.
sang the hymn. but played the "tom-
tom and acted the ceremony, includ-
ing the dance. One Of tho most IN.
teresting features Of last evenings
concert. was the number Of Indians in
the audience who stayed until the
close. never losing interest, and oc-
casionally nodding to each other in
evident approval.
Preceding the IRE dance, two new
songs were interpolated, my Collv
Boy" and farewell. Cabin Nine"
written by Mr.. Lieurance during q
year spent in the Yellowstone with a
collie dog as companion. In the short
and Interesting explanations which
Mr.. Lieurance gave he spoke Of the
establishment Of a national school OF
music. but does not believe that either
the Indian or negro themes can be
used alone. but that each should he
kept intact. He spoke Of the uses to
which these Indian themes could be
! put and of hope that Symphonies
and symphonic poems would some day
be built on them. "''
At the close of the program Mr.. and
Mrs. Leurance and their assistants
received an ovation, the progressive
musicians OF Washington being Quick
to seek the acquaintance Of this mn.
sic-historian. who is doing 20 much
to preserve the traditions Of the drst
Americans.