Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1921-01-05
ELSIE BAKER And SUPPORTING
MUSICAL ARTISTS SCORE BIC
IN ENTERT AINMENT COURSE

a superb musical evening was af-
forded patrons of the Augusta En-
tertainment course Tuesday evening,
undoubtedly among the richest in
content and quality which local con-
cert-goers have been privileged to
enjoy in several seasons. The pro-
gram was given by three artists OF
the first rank, either one of whom
would have been fully capable OF
rendering an entire concert alone.
Miss Elsie Baker, contralto. who has
been heard here before and who is
also widely known for her justly
noted photograph records, endeared
herself anew to old friends and made
a host of new ones by her satisfying
and sympathetic use of a really won
derful contralto voice. Her voice IS
full and rich with remarkable re-
sonance and mellowness in the lower
register and her enunciation is
faultless. To natural charm OF voice
Miss Baker adds equal charm OF
manner and her interpretations OF
music make the nearer wish Tor
more, and more of her songs.
Miss Irma Seydel, who since the
death of Maud Powell, is ranked as
the foremost living violinist OF her
sex, held her audience under the
magic spell of her art from the first
stroke of her bow. She plays with
sureness and a fire that have given
rise to her other title, 1.-THE female
Kreisler." Miss Seyders selections
were for the most part rather diff
cult compositions, giving abundance
of opportunity for virtuosity, but far
from being mere exhibitions OF tech
nidue, they became triumphs OF real
artistry at her touch. Miss Seydel
has been playing the violin since she
was three years of age, but not con-
tent with fame as an infant prodigy,
she has made herself one OF the
worlds foremost violinists and Au-
gusta people were particularly for
tupate to hear her.
Alfred Fasano, 'cellist, appeared
only twice in solo numbers. but the
rich. vibrant music that he drew
from his instrument made one eager
to hear more. The cello seems
especially made for andante numbers
but Mr.. Fasano's rendering of two
pieces in rapid tempo left nothing to
be desired.
Miss Marion Carley accompanied
al 1.-THE soloists and was called upon
to perform an evening of piano work
that would have seemed arduous to
the average accompanist. Miss Car
| ley, however, retained her sparkle
and alert ness throughout the long
program.
| The opening numbers We're by Mr..
F'asano, Cantilena by Golterman'
which brought out to the full the
deep mellowness and appealing voice
of the cello, and "Satyr Mote" one
of his own compositions, rapid and
agile by contrast. AS an encore ne
played Schumann's Traumerel ana
| it was one of the most deigntlul
| things on the program.
! Miss Baker sang the familiar aria,
40 Don Fatale." of Verdi, compost
/ ton which gave full scope for her
/ voice. Her encore was 1.-THE Home
FCountry." Miss Seyders first offering
was all arrangement by Auer of Tsch-
aikowsky's Andante Cantabile. as its
name implies. velvety melody alto
gether lovely. 1.-The Butterfly her
second number in this group. was an
| airy composition. played almost entire
ly on the Z string Gilmour's "Slumber
song" which followed, is SO short that
it surprises one who does not know it.,
but it makes up in sweetness ana deli
| cate harmony what it may lack i'll
length. The last of the group was
Beethoven's Chorus of Dervishes."
an odd rhythmic thing that might
drive one mad were it's whirling mo-
notony kept up long enough. Miss
Seyders encore was beautiful enough
TO atone for it, for she played the In
termezzo from "Cavaleria Rusticana'
as it IS rarely played.
Miss Baker sang a group of old
songs, one by Haydn and one by
Love Is Kind" AS an encore she
sang Van Old Fashioned Town.
Miss seydel favored her hearers with
some initial performances in. her
| Schubert group. All the Schubert
works were arrangements. two Of
which Miss Seydel did herself and
some Of which she played from man.
uscrip.. His music is perhaps rather
too intricate for the average listener
but his lyrics are particularly adapt
able to the violin
Mr. Fasano played Saine-Saens' LA
Cygne," which is always a favorite
| cello piece. and also La Fileuse"
| (The Spinner), by Dunkler. AS an
encore he played another of his own
compositions. Miss Bakers third
group comprised three whimsical
songs. When she sang an as encore
1.-THE Long, Long Ago" the old song
| seemed to take on quality which it
had never had before. After this she
refused t. take her encores, at the risk
of stretching the program out to I'M
due length.
| Miss Seydel played her last selection
without accompaniment. fantasy on
| the texiet from Lucia" 1t was a rev.
citation OF what one who knows how
may do with four strings. for Miss
| Seydel seemed at times to be playing
them all at once. For encore she play
ed another Schubert piece. 1.-The Ree."
| Miss Bsker closed the evening with
three widely varied selections, the
first, "Homing," being particularly
subtle and alluring lyric. She sang
negro campmeeting spiritual. Didn't
1t Rain" relative to. the historic del
uge cfronicled in Genesis. The last
number was Christ in Flanders" with
a m obi cato nv Mr. FaSaoa