The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1925-12-22
LEGION He AR 5
PADEREWSK|
By JESSIE MacBRIDE

:
A milestone of history was the
Pederewski benefit concert yester-
day.
The American Legion-and To-
tentially all of the great spirit Of
the A. E. F.-received the great
gift of music from Poland's first
Premier, the greatest pianist OF his
time. Ignace Jan Paderewslki. The
mere facts are amazing in the story
they tell.
The vast audience at Polls rose
spontaneously as the great states.
man-musician walked upon the
stage. Dignitaries of State, if1clud-
ing, the First Lady of the LAM as
social head of Washington, were
gathered together with officers and
soldiers of the Legion. The theater
was filled. Devotees of the artist,
of the cause, stood throughout the
program.
Two standard bearers. in United
States uniforms, received the flags
of the United States and Of Poland,
and placed them in standards on
each side of the stage. Later, when
q huge star of golden chrysanshe
NUNS, crowned with the emblems
OF the two Republics, was presented
the artist, the Army of the United
States-in, essence-stood at atten-
lon while the Premier bowed and
bowed his Acknowledgement.
Paderewski chose program of
music by Poland's and the worlds
greatest composer for the piano
Chopin.
The pinnacle was reached with
his playing of the B minor Sonata,
containing the Funeral March. In
vision, misty through memory. the
mighty ranks of those who made
the supreme sacrifice, marched
across the canvas of this great
scene as the orchestral tones of
the first far-off march sounded
again the drums mighty roll. the
relentless thing that. comes on and
on-'til that softening interludes
beepealzs a harmony that is not of
this world and that has brought
solace to countless of those who
mourn. Paderewsl1i, in his gift,
this rare melody with soulful
beauty. then like rush Of spirits,
sometimes turbulent, sometimes
soft and mysterious, he swept the
fleeing runs OF the last movement
that may be the winds 80 they
sway across uncharted graves
with the great mastery that has
made him peer of pianists.
How vast is the message OF
Chopin. To hear his genius for
two hours or more brings reall-
zation of the universal reach OF
l,is music. Be it the Ram Drop"
Prelude that reiterates its insis-
tant- note beneath an enhancing
melody: be ii truly national
thing in the "Mazurka' + sharp
minor. into which the pia mist put
8 special love and feeling for ito
very native Tilt and lightnesy. OF
again the Polonaise or an :lusive
waltz-manlxind may find in MIN
an exquisite thing that suits all
peoples, all moods.
The audience stayed and stood
while he played. at the close OF the
program. the G sharp minor waltz.
flle lovely rBarcarolle," and still
tf1ey eIan1oured for more.
The great head of the master, |
who comes TO US this year after a
long absence, has turned its golden
halo OF hair to a softened gray. The
soul Of the artist still thunders out
its message with emotional power.
II was the heart of Paderewsh,
yesterday, who brought to Ameri-
cans his generous gift-that is
listed az the largest single gift the
Legion has received at the hands |
of 3. citizen-and the word is used
advisedly, for surely so rich a |
spirit might be called citizen OF |
the world