The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1922-11-21

n An audisnce which practically
lied Augustana gymnasium last
gening heard : program Of nm
isual merit and distinction through
0s courtesy Of the Schmidt Music
company, which presented Henry
pouvaine. young American concert
PIANIST, and Mime. Maria Samson.
soprano Of the Royal Opera house,
Budapest, In q complimentary re-
cital.
This huge audience expressed ap-
preciation OF the treat being given
In the reception of the two SOLO
TITS. Seldom does such an enthusi-
astic company OF listeners greet
Artists in local appearances. 1t Is
In interesting point OF note that
Ne company included many young
u people, probably the keenest
trpe OF hearers, for most Of them
we're interested students Of piano
of voice, who gained much from
the opportunity afforded them to
Hear music OF the best type.
4 The program was varied enough
70 keep the big house of mixed mu-
sitAl taste not to bore their lis.en-
ers with too much operate music
and still chose from the best Of
composers. Much Of the program
included selections from American
composers, which is worthy OF note
In this day when every organiza-
ton is endeavoring to promote the
slogan Hearing America FRS"
Souvafne chose group of six
American numbers, two by Mac
Dowell and four by young Ameri-
can composers, one number being
his own selection. The latter caus-
cd somewhat Of an ovation, the
young pianist taking the applause
In praise Of his own work in the
same serious manner in which he
played, and proceeded with the
program after several bows. AS an
encore to the group, however, he
repeated the last number, Percy
Crainger's Country Gardens on
the Ampico reproducing piano. Lo-
cal people will remember when Mr..
Granger himself played the selec-
ton in concert here.
Maria Samson is a pleasing young
singer, with voice rich in its hu-
man appeal, clear and resonant
She was best in the operate selec-
tons, for her English numbers
suffered somewhat from her for
eign accent, which though charm
ing in itself, makes it hard to fol
low words OF q song. Her best
English number was Life ana
Death by ColeriGge-Taylor, sung
with feeling.
Novel Accompaniment.
The first two selections were the
heavy numbers. Nine. Samson gave
Aria "Bagatellaa" from Leoncavel
los "Pagliacci," and Aria "Visio1
d'Arte," from Puceini's la Tosca,
the difficult accomplishments beins
given by the reproducing piano
which formed a perfect background
for the qualities Of the voice. TIVE
Strauss numbers. "Allerseelen'
(All Souls Day., and "Standen'
(Serenade) were like, the former
the better, and the sopranos part o
the program closed with Hage
mans 1.-THE Well" and an encore
Bring Back Summertime"
Souvaine's big number was tn
Tschaikowsky Concerto in B Fla
Minor. 1t was the feature of tn
evening as well for the audienc
had difficulty In determining whel
the pianist was playing and whel
the Ampico was reproducing hi
record Of the concerto movements
Runs were started by the playe
and continued while he mopped hi
brow. Incidentally, this remarka
BILE number was beautifully rend er
ed. The first group by the pianis
included Arensky's Pres de
Mer." "Parodies' Toccata." and tw
Chopin compositions, C sharp mi
nor prelude and E minor walt;