The Washington times., 1921-04-07
OOHNANYE-BR0CK
CONCERT CHARMS
Hungarian Pianist and Ameri-
can Soprano tnaugurate Series
at Congregational Church.

Emo Dohnanyi, the eminent Hun
garian pianist, and Eleanor Brock.
an American coioratura soprano. who
the music world. inaugurated a series
OF concerts at the First Congregs-
tional Church last evening. given with
double purpose. The idea Is 10
restore this auditorium to it's place as
the recital room of the best music
the other purpose is to aid the organ
fund for the new great Skinner
that is being installed there.
Dohnanyi, in recital, was looked
forward to with keen anticipation.
The delicacy and beauty of his sole
playing with the Boston Symphony
Orchestra had left a desire for more.
And as soloist, Mr.. Dohnanr
brought out both the simple melodic
beauty OF his themes in a pure and
singing tone. and also the sweeping
grace OF vital dramatic music. He
is. in general terms, a conservative,
which means that the eternal truths
OF his music are strictly maintained.
PLAYS OWN COMPOSITIONS.
His program was Bach. Mozart,
Beethoven. with three compositions
Of his own. No works Of the roman
ticists nor Of the ultra moderns, fer
Mr. Dohnanyi as composer has net
touched the iconoclasts in music. Sc
rious artist in his Beethoven sonata
quasi una fantasia" opus 27, No. 1, the
opening slow movement was rarely
lovely in its contemplative mood.
while there was a towering power in
the left hand bringing the serious re-
pose into tones of moonlight quality.
and a rare fading away in impressive
quiet The big arpeggios Of the finale
contrasted effectively. They were
given with rhythmically dramatic
runs. vital lyric episode. and that
pure tone in facile execution that
characterizes his playing.
Unannounced, there was at the close
Of Dohnanyi's own three compost
ito =, repetition Of his allurinG
waltz given on the Chickering Am
pico. Mr.. Dohnanyi left the piano,
and with no visible means. the instru-
ment gave again the players every
touch and shade of light figures, Of
romance lento, and Of forceful cN-
max.
This imperishable source Of mu9es
Of the artists also provided ono &C.
compartment for Miss Brock. whe
sang the lovely Little DamozeY" ef
Novello to the accompaniment OF the
Ampico. In this she was. apparently,
as free in her runs and trilis and az
much at ease as IL her human ae-
companist had been with her. To-
gether the singer and the Ampice
brought out the character and the
color in this music that has = touch
OF the French bergerette.
MISS BROOKS CHARM.
Eleanor Brock possesses a delicate
charm that fits admirably into the
exquisite beauty and ease Of a gem
uine coloratura voice. Youth and 4
finished art are rare in combination.
The voice holds, IL is true, a certsin
immaturity. but that is from youth
alone. which adds a refreshing some
thing.
Runs. trills. delicate roulades. an
come freely from this singer with
the greatest ease and smoothnes and
with that rare thing in the colora-
tura voice, sweetness that Is gentle.
That was the first surprise in the
voice of CALI Curci. and this quality
in Miss Brock makes the comparison
inevitable.
Her aria from "Dinorah." with the
hute-like finale was given with lovely
cadence and absolute purity in exc
cution. Her top voice is sweet, her
range great. while she sings a lyric
passage with musical feeling. 'Io.
Hear the Gentle Lark" of Bishop was
most delightfully."- given. while her
"Solveig's Lied" OF Grieg brought 4
plaintive strain. Her diction is also
an asset in this young American who
is surely going toward that goal OF
the singer. the Metropolitan. As q
nal encore Miss Brock sang the "Nor-
wegian Folk Song" with its colora-
tura work as Jenny Lind gave II.
Unannounced, also, was Umberto
Martucci who accompanied Miss
Brock. He was heard here with this
singer and Signor Bonci. or him one
says at once Here Is an artist" HIS
support of Miss Brock was creative
art handled with sympathy yet mas.
ferv JESSTE MacpRInE