The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1923-01-11
CORTOT CONCERT
PROGRAM NOTES
KenOshans Manifest Keen
Interest in Appearance
of Master Pianist.
TRIBUTE TO FRANCK
CBv WESLEY LA vIoLETTE)


Keen interest is being manifested
in the approaching piano recital to be
given on this Friday evening, at the
Elks' club, when the great French
pianist, Alfred Cortot, will be present
ed on the course being sponsored by
Mrs. z. G. Simmons Mr.. Cortot played
in Kenosha two years ago, at Kemper
hall, and at that time made host Of
friends with his mastery and beautl-
full playing. Since that time he has
toured all over America and added
greatly to his general popularity
and fame.
The warmth of their welcome and
appreciation in Kenosha makes this
one of the places that many of the ar
lists who have been here anticipate
their returning Alfred Cortot is
among those. / had the pleasure and
the privilege Of short visit with him
recently while he was in Chicago
to play with the Chicago Symphony
Orchestra.
One Of the finest things on the pro-
gram the artist is to present here, is
the great "Prelude, Chorale and
Fugue," by Cesar Franck. This year
the Centenary of the French master
is being celebrated, and as his tribute,
Mr.. Cortot is presenting one of the
loitiest of Franck's works. As a
special message to the people of Ke-
nosha. Mr.. Cortot said: "Please tell
the people that do not play this great
composition because l expect great
applause as my reward, but because it
is my duty as an artist to present
such masterpieces to the people. be-
lieve, with Goethe, that it is the duty
of an artist to give the people what
they should have, not what they want.
While Debussy and many of the other
French composers write for the pleas
ure Of the mind and ear, Franck writes
IL give pleasure to the soul. ! am
very happy to be playing such work
for the people of Kenosha."
The Franck Number.
AS an aid to the listeners, l might
say that this composition by Cesar
Franck begins with Prelude whose
subject matter consists of two themes.
The first, very melodic, with har-
monte figure in rhythmic accompani-
ment. The second, consisting largely
Of chord figure. The material for
theme, is provided in this opening. By
use Of sustained F-sharp, the Prelude
leads without pause into the Chorale.
1t is simply an elaborate treatment of
an original hymn or chorale. 1t is
very chromatic. He makes use of long
rolling chords which finally build into
a glorious climax. Following this
comes a transitional passage made up
Of material which foreshadows that
used in the Fugue Immediately fol-
lowing The latter is as fine and mas
terly an example of this kind of writ
ing as there is in all the literature of
music. It's great pianistic difficulty is
not at all obvious to the hearers.
There is not space to elaborate on it
further here.
The last time Mr. Cortot was in
Kenosha he entranced his audience
with the entire Twenty-four Preludes
of Chopin. His Chopin group at this
concert will be given over to twelve
Of the Etudes. This will include those
familiar and popular ones known as
the "Black-Key," the Butterfly" the
Revolutionary" and the winter End"
DeBussy Represented.
Though Debussy's "Children's Corn
err" could never be accused of being
lofty or noble, yet for vivid magma
ton and delightful mimicry, this suite
is most attractive. Debussy wrote it
for his own little daughter, and ever
since it has been source of JOY to
both children and their grownups.
There may be some who will find the
Franck number severe, or the Debussy
suite bit exotic for their tempera-
meut, but they will have enough to
satisfy them in the Chopin group, and
then in the group of List numbers
with which the program will close
This will be composed of the famous
"Campanella" transcendental study
the "Chant Polonais' and the bril-
liant eleventh rhapsody.
The complete program offers mum
bers to satisfy the most varied or the
most exacting tastes. Proffered by
such master as Alfred Cortot it
should be revelation to many, to
others another unforgettable evening.