The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1921-01-20
ALFRED CORTOT
ULTRA PIANIST
Artist of Highest Rank
Plays at Kemper Hall
Saturday Night.
FOR FRENCH SCHOOLS
(By Wesley La Violettel

An audience of rather gratifying
proportions gathered on Saturday even
ing at Kemper Hall Gymnasium to hear
the famous French pianist, Alfred Cor
tot Considerable expectancy had been
aroused by the brilliant successes the
artist had had in his recent tour of
Europe and in the previous two tours
in this country so that he was given a
most hearty reception when he ap
peared.
Small of stature, with coal black hair,
deep penetrating eyes, and most ex-
pressive features, he is typical of the
people of his country. His long, slen-
der, sentitive fingers seem to caress the
piano as he plays. And even when it
thunders forth great sonorous chords
there seems to be the same tenderness.
1t never becomes hard and brittle or
sounded like pounding as is frequently
the case in massive effects.
The Vivaldi Concerto.
l confessed to a frank disappoint
ment when knew the artist was to
play transcription of Vivaldi's cham
Der concerto for strings. Those things
are usually so stupid and uninteresting,
and apparently all the artists feel it
their solemn duty to present them to
open a program. We apparently must
not hear the lovely things until we
have performed the rites of homage
to the far gone past. But this was not
of that hackneyed type. In the ar
rangement that this gifted person
brought out for our edification there.
was an immense amount of tone color
in every way. Not for one second did
the interest flag in it's hearing. The
opening section = the Preludium-wa
given with a breadth and sorority that
can be equalled by few other artists.
In the first opening bars one could
judge of what manner of man this
was. The Sicilieene following was
very lovely, and the concerto was
brought to a brilliant clase in the
Finale.
The Chopin "Andante spianato and
Polonaise", which completed the first
group ON the program, was played in
manner not soon to be forgotten.
This popular work, which has a goodly
amount of tiresome repetition in it,
had each repetition brought out in
new lights and colors so that it was
much like seeing charming friend
very often but always in new gown.
Some pianists have only one color
on their palette; whether it be red,
green, or what not, it becomes weari-
some. Hear is an artist whose palette
is only limited by the tints which
can be made from the seven primary
colors.
The Chopin Preludes.
Last season. in his second tour of
this country, Mr.. Cortot won consid-
cradle attention by the very novelty of
playing the twenty-four Preludes by
Chopin as one group and on tour.
Numbers of artists have grouped them
before, in New York recitals, or some
of the other large cities, but it was
rather an adventure for this man to
carry them out with him all over the
country. But, as played by him, why
not! 1t would be bloodless creature
that would be unmoved by these lovely
bits of musical poetry. Each was an
exquisite gem Of beauty all its own,
and yet matching perfectly with all
the others in the setting.
It would be difficult matter to say
which Of the set one liked the best.
Each one left you with the impression
that It could not be played other
wise and be perfect. There was but
little heartache in the tempo at which
he took the twentieth one, caalad by
him aFnnerals2 1t is marked Largo,
and here was fairly fast Andante.
But, being great artist, l suppose
he had justifiabIe reasons for doing
it so. There are many pupils who
feel that many of these preludes are