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Musical Mention
John Randolph.
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The long promised pianoforte recital
by Xaver Scharwenka'attaine'd brilliant
Buccees at the Lansing theatre on Tues
day evening April 27th. An unusually
large audienco for this form of entertain
ment received the calm and somewhat
phlegmatic appearing pianoist when h3
made his initial bow to Lincoln people
Of courso no one could reasonably ex
pect so largo a house as greeted the De
Wolf Hopper company in "El Capitan'
on Wednesday evening for Mr. Schar
wenka did not carry with him the ac
cessories of chorus, ballet and scenery;
he did not even s!ng a topical song, but
depended upon himself and a Steinway
pianoforte to entertain the cultured
audience. And the audienco was a
cultured end representative one. Tho
best part of society, town and university
was present in force. It is only fair to
say that they were not disappointed in
his playing. Certainly more brilliant
pianists technically, as well ss artists
who have entbuced tho audienco by a
greater display of the intellectual and
emotional in interpretation have ap
peared here. Mr. Scharwenka's play
ing was not unfrcquently slightly
blurred ty injudicious use of the pedal,
his virtuosity in scale passages and in
other technically difficulties is not im
peccable, and his interpretation in
certain impassioned numbers was
.phlegmatic as compared say, with tho
tiery intensity of Carreno or of Bloom
field Zeisler. Certainly Mr. Leopold
.Godowsky is much his superior in
digital facility and in every thing
which makes, for virtuosity. But
Mr. Scharwenka's claims to atten
tion are not based wholly upon his
pianism. His reputation in this country
and in Europe as the teacher of many
brilliant pjpils, as the conductor of
orchestra, as a composer of more than
ordinary merit would insure respectful
audition for him were he a less capable
pianoforte virtuoso. Not a few who
heard him were glad of the opportunity
to heat him give an author's readingof
four of his shorter compositions, in
cluding his extremely popular "Polish
Dance," in E Hat minor. Mr. Schar
wenka was heard tirst in 'that cheval de
battaille of pianists, the Eeethoven
Sonata A ppasionata." (Would he had
- made it our own MacDowell's "Sonata
Tragical") This composition seems to
me unfitted for this pianist's stIe of
playing, which was not impassioned.
He gave, however, a finished and in
tellectual interpetation freer from gu3t
and from undue sentimentality.
Perhaps music soviri'eas the Iarg'r
works of Beethoven should be played in
this broad unemotional manner; certain
ly, the great pianist, D'Albert, plays it
,in this fashion, but this particular
Sonata, it seems to me, is not adapted
.to the coldly intellectual school of in
terprefation. Mr. Scharwenka pro
duced an admirable effect in the
"Nacbtstueck' of Schumann and in the
beautiful G minor impromptu of Schu
bert. In the compositions and arinnge-'
jnents by Liszt variations upon a
Russian air, the familiar overture to
William Tel," and the "Kicordanza"
the pianist was heard to less advantage,
except in the last, being apparently
somewhat overweighted by their tech
nical difficulties. Nevertheless the
mood of the "Kicordanza with it3 resig
nation and pathos seemed morn in ac
.cord.nith the pianist's temperament
than the impassioned B flat minor
Scherzo,'' of Chopin, which pr;cidod
it. In this, on? felt a certain effe3t of
anticlimax, as though tho pianist's
wrUts were not equal to tho demands
made upon them. Probably tho most
interest:ng numbers to musicians and
the general public aliko were the com
positions by the pianist composer him
self. These were four in number; "Prairie
Flower," "Novellette," (opus 12), "Valso
Caprice," (opus 31) and the well known
"Polish Dance." Of theso tho
first was the least interesting. The
other numbers were most attractive and
delightfully plaoJ. Altogether the
Lincoln public may congratulate itself
upon this opportunity to hear this
artist, who, while ho is not a technical
pianist of the first rank, is nevertheless
a strong and interesting player and a
composer of undoubted ability. It is to
the zeal of Mis. Je3n M. Plank that we1
are indebted for this opportunity to
hear Scharwenka and tho thanks of
every music lover in the city are duo
her. J- K.
On Wednesday Harry Briggs playe'd a
few selections on the piano for Xaver
Scharwenka and was highly praised for
his ability. Harry Briggs is a young
boy of remarkable talent who promises
a brilliant future. Mr. Scharwenka ad
vises him to continuo his practice and
give3 him great encouragement.
Mrs. Will Owen Jones returned on
Wednesday from New York where sho
has spent the winter studying" mosic.
Musical and social circles al.ka have
missed Mrs. Jones. Among the large
number of musicians who live hero
Mrs. Jones is the favorite of all. Her
absence from the musical festa of tho
season in Lincoln has left a distinct U el
ing of something gentle, and peaceful
gone. Mrs. JoneB playing is cbarac
t prized hv an intellectual breadth a
clissic correctness and inspired by a (
spirit always in repose, ner friends
wait with much interest to hear the
results of her winter's application.
The Gity Improvement Association
The parlors of Rose Cottage were
well crowded Tuesday afternoon at a
meeting of tr.e city improvement society.
Miss Elliott as hostess welcomed each
mpmher and made evervoce feel at
home. Mrs. Lonawortby Taylor presid
ed and a discussion of the condition of
the society and its aims was the first
pait of tho progiam. When the
minutes of the last meeting were read,
the s3cretary announced the gift of a
check for 83 from Sorosis and a vote of
thanks was tendered to the club for its
gift. It was made the3ense of the meet
ing that a mass meeting in the irterest
of the society should be held next Men
day evening in tho auditorium of the Y.
M. C. A. Chance'lor MacLean will be
one of the speakers. An effoit will be
made to increase the membership at this
mealing and all interested in the clean
ing up of the city are invite J. The pio
gram will be announced later.
Mary Blakely read the following re
port of Secretary Cliff Deyo for the
Bancroft school. Sli9 read with a clear
and well modulated voice and seemed
peifectly self-possessed, being indeed an
example for some of the older persons
'present.
"The following is the xeport for the
last two weeks:
"Pieces of paper picked up and dis
posed of, 456; tin cans picked up and
disposed of, 56; gardens inado, 12; yards
raked, 28; alleys cleaned, 9; flower beds
made, CO; stones, stick, bottles and
robs, etc , picked up and disposed of,
73; sidewalks and streets in front of
houses cleaned, if.
Tho report of tho Capitol school was
given by Mis. Graco Mason Wheeler.
It follows:
"Your committee on Capitol school
grounds desire to submit tboir report as
follows:
They have collected from friends and
patrons of tho Capitol school tho sum
of 840.15, which sum they have expend
ed in providing lattico work for tho two
outhous?P, sowing grass seed and pro
vidirg window boxes for tho school
room?. The committeo desire to expiess
their gratitudo for tho encouragement
and substantial assistance renderel
them in their work by the city council,
.the school board and the individuals of
whom they purchased supplies; also, to
C. II. Green, to whoso careful superin
tendence of the work of nieparing the
ground for, and sowing giass seed, tho
success of that feature of our wont is
owing; lastly and earnestly we desiro to
express our deep appreciation of the
spirit of co-operation shown by the
pupils, teachers, and principal of tho
Capitol school. Without this co-opera-t.'oQ
our efforts must havo come to
caught, with it we feel that we
havo at least made a beginning in tho
work we have undertaken to do and not
the least encouraiog featuro of 'our
work is the fact that the children
themselves under tho direction and ad
vice of their respective teachers and
parents have made flower l2ds, and set
rose bushes and plants in the front
yard. Tho educational, value of this
feature of our work is certainly very
great. Your committee believe mea
sures should bo taken to prevent 'the
promiscuous scattering of hand bills in
tho grounds. Tho labors of tho children
who are keeping thsje grounds fro8
from litter "f this cha-actcr aro un
necessarily increased in this manner,
and in ut least ono instance, tho bill toy
maliciously strewed largo quantities of
torn band bills upon tho ground."
Alice Dates and Zelie Cornell of tho
Prcscott school made a veibal report
that showed that much had been done
in that part of the city for improve
ment. Much clearing up had b;en un
dertaken nnc1 flower beds and trees wero
now ornamenting tho szbcol grounds
wherobofore had been unsightly places.
Mr. Hartley reported for the C street
school. Much has been done thero alro
for improvement. The children are all
working with a will and money has been
raised unl much work done. Mrs. New
mark reported for the Park school.
She said that tbero was much need
there far work and that it would take
Iota of work and a gooJ doal of money
to do what had been plsnned. She had
planned a conceit to bo givon in tbo
near future at which tho brst talent ob
tainable in the c ty would bo present
and givo numbo'B. Other repot ts were
interesting. The rppoitof Mm. Tait.
who has charge cf the streets, was not
icad for lack of time. Sho wishes s.11
tho women of the city to co operate with
hr in reporting all infractions of or
dinance?. AH women will report to
her, and sho will takotbe matter ti the
ci'y officials for prosecution or aid in
enforcing.
Tho Begear Pity a poor man whe
Jo3tnn arm!
Iho Passerby I'm sorry, I've not seen
it anywhere. Better report your loss to
tho policer
i
MONEY LOANED
on Diamonds, Pianos and any
good personal security. Diamond
bought and sold. Business strictly
confidential.
WALT MELIGK. ROOM 20 BURR BL'K
By trading at
Kludge & Moirris ompan
We have all the new and stylish designs in
t furniture. -
Fane' mahog
any parlor chair,
something- new,
S8.25.
One of our new Ivew stvle
hall chairs, ma- rocker, quatered
hojranv finish, back, S2.75.
SI.50."
sewimr
oak
We take great pleasure in showing
you our new stock even if you do noc
wish to buy.
We have the newest stock of car
pets, draperies and yard goods for
draping that are to he found in the
city. Lawn mowers $3.7, $4, $4.25
and $4.50. Garden tools, wire screen
and galvanized netting.
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