The Washington times., 1921-01-08

HAILED AS MARVEL
Mildred WeIIerson Captiyates
Audience in First Few Mo-
ments OF Recital.

One approaches with a degree OF
skepticism much praised child
prodigy" and So the phrase ten
year miracle cellist" announcing little
Mildred Wellerson aroused much OF
that feeling. But that was before sh
had played her first few phrases, when
she was heard In Washington for the
hTst time yesterday afternoon In joint
recital with Patrick Kelly. tenor.
IL was complete capitulation! Here
was a little maid In short frocks an"
socks whose art as cellist n eds no
consideration because OF her ye RS
She Is a marvel! Her art IL broad
pure. with finish and style OF the
mature artist; and above all nlled
with deep feeling and Yibrancy OF
tone that Is present in her flowing
passages as well as In her remark.
ably poised slow movements.
What instinct has made this child
master OF nuance SO that the real
virtuoso program seemed not only
authoritative as 20 its true musical
reading, but seemed to take on new
life as she played. with such amazing
ease and such apparent Joy in the
playing?
The Goltermann concerto. A minor
opened with big potent power. Her
phrasing was amazing and her tone
exquisite throughout its range. There
were phenomenal accelerandos. true
virtuosity. And then singing aria
that bespoke a true sense OF the
music. while her anal double stops In
braVura passage were remarkable In
smooth. free and facile execution.
Purity and surety Of intonation
varied shading, "A freedom OF the bow
q nj facility ~ oh
her. Yet in Interpretation too, there
was that same delight OF express on
How did this baby divine the we I'd
plaint of the Hungarian Rhapsody OF
Pepper. its type and tone? 1t was
bigly executed with a double stop
cadenza of surety and how freely she
gave It's finale.
The Chopin "Nocturne" was purity
OF expression itself, and the "Elfen-
tanz" Of Pepper was held in surpris-
ing tempo. For encores she fairly
dashed off the Kreisler "Llebesfreud, i
old Vienna waltz, catching on her
great instrument the yiolinists
rhythm and lure of 1t.
oh, yes she loves to play"-she
said so-and her little twin sister E.
a violinist, while her father, Max
Wellerson, is her most musicianly
accompanist Mildred is composer
as well. with evident humor as
wholesome as she is herself. Her
Lullaby, the Cranky Baby" Is a
charmingly reiterated simple melody
with a rare cadenza in which she
gives tone hints of that baby's
crankiness. She had to repeat II.
seldom in life is 1t given one 70
welcome so beautiful an art in so
fresh and young and wholeso ne a
child. 1t is a musical delight to hear
her and a rare treat.
Patrick Kelly is find" OF Fortune
Gallo. He has n natural voice capa-
BILE doubtless of developing into an
organ of beauty and usefulness, for
his range is excellent.
Not ready" is the verdict one
must give. Why should he be per.
mitted TO sing now? His production
is bad. all sorts OF tones given in al
sorts OF manner. His p raising. too
is unforgivably bad. The La Bo-
heme" aria. though in style of the
accepted form. missed in time, in at
tack. in rhythm the true muse. His
songs were throaty and often of
pitch.
But there is a voice And in some
Irish songs a real sense Of the hu.
manities that won his audience and
brought him two encores. Let W.
hope that this too early venture will
not rob him of a real career.
JESSIE MacBRIDE.