Omaha daily bee., 1919-04-04
Nj \ s | c.

n NNLhl NEAI was OIleGeQ
II at the Brandefs theater Thurs
- day when the Little Sym
phony and the Pavley- Oukrainsky
Ballet gave one performance only,
at 3 o'clock in the afternoon.
The Little Symphony is an orches-
ira in miniature, founded and con-
Quoted by that master artist, George
Barrere. The fourteen solo artists
who make up its personnel were orr
ginally banded together for the pur-
post Of playing the compositions of
old masters written for just such
small orchestras The subtle art,
delicacy and charm with which, they
played the numbers of Part I and
also the music so ably interpreted by
the ballet in Part II of the program
proved them all to be genuine en-
thusiasts of their art. George Bar
rere,' the conductor. won many ar
dent admirers when here recently
under the auspices Of the Tuesday
Musical club and he was given a
hearty welcome. The program pre-
scented by the Little Symphony alone
included four numbers. "Cephale ct
Procris" by Gretry, was clever and
graceful suite in contrapuntal style,
with many dramatic moments.
"Menuet ct Clique Gracieuse" and
"Conterdanse" are especially remem-
bered. The ensemble, the finish and
the exquisite and subtle shading
achieved by these artists from the
first perfect note were notable fea-
lures of all their work. Fine tonal
balance and a grace of phrasing were
also pronounced features of the
Suite Francaise' by Perilhou, of
which a "Chanson de Guillot Mar
tim contained much lyric beauty,
and "Chanson a'Danser" brought
prolonged applause.
A group of four flute soil was
played by Mr.. Barrere with string
accompaniment The first three
were with muted strings, and many
and fine were the artistic effects
achieved Mr.. Barrcre was recalled
again and again and responded with
an encore. The closing number,
For My Little Friends" by Pierne,
proved favorite with the audience,
with its "Pastorale" for wind instru-
ments, Vigil OF the Guardian An
GEL" for string instruments, the lit
tie "Gavotte," the popular "Sere-
made" and the humorous closing
i March of the Little Lead Soldiers"
+ The excellent taste which marks
all of Mr.. Barrere's work was man
ifested throughout the musical pro-
gram, and the audience made up in
enthusiasm what it lacked in num-
bers.
Part II brought the ballet assist
ed by the little symphony. Vivid
modern Russian backgrounds of
brilliant coloring and futuristic ef-
tects served to contrast and harmon
ize with the costumes of the dancers,
and to impress the audience with
spirit of unreality. Messrs. Pavley
and Oukrainsky again proved their
genius for arranging dances, well
suited to the classic music chosen
Both of these young men are
among the finest opponents of the
terpsichorean art who have ever
visited Omaha. They likewise gave
many evidences of their skill and art
in interpreting these dances. Some
were hardly dances as much as dra-
matte pantomime. Serge Oukrain-
! sky delighted with his algerian
Dance" and arabian Master and
His Slave" in which he was ably as
sisted by Mile. Kharkova In "A
Crucifixion" Mr.. Oukrainsky por-
trayed death on the cross to the
pregant gloom of funeral music by
| Beethoven. 1t was awesome, in
tense. almost horribly dramatic, and
yet not over the bounds of good
taste. Andreas Pavley many times
manifested his versatility and skill,
as did also beautiful and graceful
Mile. Ludmilla, and these two men,
bers of the company united in a
"Pastorale" to the Caprice Wen
nois" by Kreisler that was so artis-
tic that it had to be repeated. So
did the 'Flirtation" O850) danced by
Oukrainsky and Mile. Kharkova.
Many artistic results were also gain
ed by Miles. Pfeill and Kowak, who
united in presenting a humorous
dance Russian Peasant Girl and
Doll' with excellent success. A
brilliant gypsy dance to music by
Strauss closed the program. A
larger house would undoubtedly
have been present could this have
been an evening performance. as it
was an attraction which would ap-