The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1925-03-12
De RESzKE MEN
SINGERS ALL
STARS
Alberto SaIvi, Assisting Harp
ist, Displays Mastery in
Chopin and Debussy Themes
By JESSIE MacBRIDE.

by JESSIE MdcbH4fIE.
The "DeReszke Singers withdrew
their incognito at yesterdays con-
cert at Polls when this fine male
quartet gave a delightful concert in
Mrs. Wilson-Greene's course of con
certs, assisted by Alberto SaIyi,
harpist.
BY virtue of their personal at
tainment, these four stalwart men
need to he known, not by a collec-
tive name. but individually They
are Hardesty Johnson, tenor, and
when they were not singing "a
capella, Mr.. Johnson was also a
delightful accompanist: Floyd Towns
ley. second tenor, Erwyn Mulch,
baritone, and Sigurd Nelson. basso.
All Americans, with a variety of
inelting-pot color as their names in
Gicate!
They opened their program with
the most important music of the
afternoon, giving without accompani-
ment a lovely Saint-Saens chorus
''Serenade OLIVER" two seventeenth
century French songs and two old
English madrigals. The fine ind;-
vidual voices Of these singers, with
crisp sure attack and fine harmony
effects, are rarely blended in en-
semble, 1t is really quite the most
iilustrfous example of the male quar-
tet that has come our way in ages.
They surely prove an enviabie con-
cert attraction
In churchly mode was the old
French "Languir me fails" Of lie
Jeune, to which the English mad
rigal Lady why grieve you still
me-" was a companion piece, the
latter held in fine legato3 The first
gripping impression of these sing
ers is the deep rich bass If MIR.
Nelson, quite the robin Hood"
armourer.
A Real MeIOdist.
Hardesty Johnson, first tenor, Is
real melodist, the sweetness OF
his singing that is yet virile, max.
ing one wish to hear him in IL re-
cital program. while his genuine
pianist art, as accompanist, asserts
his musicianship and his humanity,
for some Of it was given to humor-
Gus selections.
The second tenor, Mr.. ToWrsley
possesses a quality most significant
in ensemble work, his solo part he
ing excellent, while the baritone.
Mr.. Mulch, was as fine in solo and
in ensemble.
For those who are keen about \
male quartet, this group Cr men
will prove a real JOY. They did
some delicious Studies in Jmita
ton" by Herbert Hughes, giving
parody excerpts, in college boy
manner though more artistic. Of
music "arter" Brahms. Delibes. Cor
elli, Handel Though it wasn't the
banana" biD. These were not only
clever but finely done, with vocal
effects Of the real artist.
Their last group were song ar
rangements. too. following some
negro spirituals. The humming Of
the Cyril Scott Rat Catcher" given
capella, was charming against its
solos for tenor and baritone. giving
a touch of ultra music. Mendcls-
sohn's "On Wings of Song" in [ie--
man, was highly musical.
The program Jagged, however, In
interest. One wished these voices
had used something other than
mere arrangements, finding, as
climax, some music as fine as their
first group They were forced TO
respond with many encores.
Master At Harp.
In Salvi, solo harpist. one finds a
gifted executant, hearing in his
Chopin ''Etude, A flat" a delight
full air with genuine harped accom-
paniment. He essayed other trans
scriptions Of his own, such as the
Debussy Rain in the Garden" that
needs more varied tone quality
than the harp possesses, though
his mastery was a big illustration Of
harp possibilities. The virtuOsity of
the harp was shown in a theme and
variations, with rich and unusual
tone effects.
Mr.. Salvi was given a real ova-