 Her 1923 annual performance at <unk> Hall entitled " <unk> of Ancient and Modern Music for Voice " became a historic occasion when she presented the works of George <unk> , the first time his works were performed by a classical singer in concert . The first half of the programme presented works considered serious music at the time . She performed both classical works by <unk> <unk> and Henry Purcell , mixing them with modernist and neoclassical works by Arnold <unk> , Darius <unk> , <unk> <unk> , and Paul <unk> . The second half of her performance would upset the musical establishment , however . She opened with Alexander 's <unk> Band by Irving Berlin , then performed works by Jerome Kern and Walter Donaldson , and finally finished with three works by George <unk> : I 'll <unk> a <unk> to Paradise , Innocent <unk> Baby , and <unk> . <unk> played the piano for these pieces . Important figures in the audience included <unk> Schumann @-@ <unk> , Virgil Thomson , and Paul <unk> . Although some musical critics panned her decision to include Jazz music , the performance was overall a huge success , and provoked serious discussion among conservative audiences whether jazz music could be considered serious art . 
