The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1926-01-18
LATIN AMERICA
IN CONCERT
By JESSIE MCBRIDE

Sparkling is the one word that
seems to embrace the yirtuoso piano
playing of Alfredo Oswald, pianist
of Brazil. who heads the list OF
Latin-American artists who gave
the concert last Saturday evening in
the Hall Of the Americas Of the
Pan American Union before q
notable gathering. and to whom
thousands, over radio, listened In. I"
He has q whiriwind technique and
his music Of Brazil. with group
by his distinguished father, En-
riQue Oswald, was a real contribu-
ton to piano literature, OF which
THE Bat" in d graphic group by
Oswald, senior, was fascinating in
Its harmonic texture and in the
caprice that so vagrantIy epitomized
the little night bird. III Neige" in
the same suite had fine interplay
Of two theme, while the .Scherzo"
held suggestions of the harp and
definite idiom as individual 40
Grieg.
Oswald also played Tango
Brasileiro'' by Levy, fascinating in
its syncopated rhythm, but what
was more Interesting were the Sc
iections OF Hector DeVilIa Lobos. 50
akin to Rayel in the cascades of
runs that were again startling IN
their brillfancy from this gifted
pianist, and so linked to Poulenc
know was at one time in the diplo-
matte service in Brazil THAT the
little hesitant rhythms, the weird
scoops that give lure TO the dis
sonance in these moderns, have at
last been decoyed and are found a
part OF the glissando of the guitar
that haunts all this South American
music.
Lobos has humor. There is a
Rag Doll" "Poiichinelle" who
is clown doll, the former bringing
thoughts of Go Tell Aunt Dinah''--
so surely all childhood is one!
And Elio Bolognini Argentine
cellist. in his own arrangements Of
folk songs Of his native land,
brought us a rich toned art in some
highly artistic unaccompanied solos.
A bag-pipe country dance. was fine
~ worked out on a pedal point
effect, he played a sort OF
"Guitarre" to chiId-like melody.
Alma Simpson, American soprano
America, told the writer how Inn
portant, in the music of the songs
today, becomes each little incident
in daily life. One very tempera-
mental song merely tells how fine
and dressed up the hero is, as he
struts around to be admired!
Another is the thrilling incidents of
the lover taking his sweetheart into
the kitchen the best room and
going through the formal ceremony
Of partaking Of a dish of herbs,
much as the pipe of peace might
be smoked by the Indians.
She sang some Of these songs in
which the coquette was admira BILE
so humanity is the same the world
over! And Laurette Howard, con-
tralto Of North America, gave with
much spirit the familiar "Etrellita"
OF Mexico, by Ponce, a Peruvian
song much in the type of the
Russian folk song, and a "Santo,
San Juanito," of Ecuador, as bar
barrie as our American Indian
primitive music.
Clara Elena Sanchez. a Mexican
soprano, proved that from Mexico
comes more melody. with the music
much nearer Spain. as we know
her IN tone. For in spirited style
she gave a real 'Clavelitos," which
is the Mexican Montana" NOR
tanya), q folk song, while her
"Ciolito Lindo" of Munoz-Harris is
truly our possession today.
Carlton L'Hommedieu, George
Wilson and Mrs. Louise Brown
were the gifted accompanies.