Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1918-02-19
TALLARICO PLAYS
BEFORE AUDIENCE
AT LOCAL SCHOOL
BY MARY AQCIN,

Tallarico, pacing Josef Hoffman for
first place as Americas best in plan
lists, played for the students at Villa
de Chantal yesterday afternoon. giving
a program and rendition worthy of a
larger and more critical audience. Yet
this is trait of the young Italian
pianist in that he is conscientious to a
degree, and considers the student
worthy of as much attention as an
audience of critics. And. there may be
little bond OF affection in what he
offers to Villa de Chantal. Before
Pasquale Tallarico had worn his laurel
for playing the famous MacDowell
suite in Chicago in competition with
80 pianists from 10 states of the union.
he had given private audience in re-
cital to Mother Mary Agnes and few
friends On one of her visits to the
Virgils, famous teachers, at their home
in New York.
Fresh from his Chicago triumph a
little more than two years ago, Tai
larico's first offering to the public
after winning the $1,000 prize was at
Villa de Chantal At that time The
Argus proclaimed him one of the few
interpretative pianists, as one COM
bining brilliance, technique and a
sweet possession of melody within the
control of his fingers.
Since that first appearance in Rock
Island, the Tri-City Symphony or
chestra was honored by placing him
as its chief Offering at its perform
ance at the Illinois, Jan. 20, of last
year, and where he was a decided
sensation and accorded the superior
Of the orchestra's achievements by
the musical critics OF the tri-cities.
With characteristic modesty, again he
met the students of Villa de Chantal
and gave of his best, his List number,
the Second Hungarian Rhapsody"
carefully executed, grandly significant
of the oversoul of its composer sung
through sympathetic study of its
theme.
In addition to his accomplishments
as pianist, Tallarico is proving his
adeptness in other avenues of activ-
ity. At his home in the hills near Will
ton. New Hampshire, a near neighbor
to the Mcdowell community, he is
practicing, studying and keeping fit.
At the beginning of the war, Tallarico
offered himself for enlistment, but was
refused. Later he was drafted, though
not as yet been called for service
Italian by birth, all his affiliations,
however, are with this country, his
musical education being entirely
America made and thus doubly he is
ally to the world cause He has
brother in active service on the Ital-
ian front. To- hear Tallarico tell of
his hilltop New Hampshire posses
sions one would fancy his end and
aim of life was to be an expert gard
ener, as he related to his Rock Island
friends his progress in telling the
grey birch in order to give the young
pine chance to rear its health giving
spires. and of his fearfully and WON
derfully made rows of peas and beans
And not for himself alone was
loves labor, for the news is impaired
that little Miss Tallarico came five
weeks ago to live with Mr. and Mrs.
Pasquale Tallarico and grow tall and
straight like the New Hampshire pine.
Tallarico believes that the training
the young men Of this country are to
receive as soldiers will be exceedingly
beneficial. discipline is needed.
America has too much freedom, and
there is danger of turning liberty to
license" said Tallarico. While at
heart as great peace lover as only
the talented and gentle may Re, Tai
larico minces no words in condemning
militarism and unfolding the stand
ards our country has raised The
pianist this morning left for Jackson
vile, Fla, and other southern cities
where he has two months engagement.