New Britain herald., 1927-05-06
BENEFIT CONCERT
 RICH IN TALENT
Varied Program at South Church
 for Flood Sufferers

One of those old-time concerts which began early and ended late only to find the audience reluctant to leave took place in the South Congregational church last night. It was given by large variety of art ists in behalf of the Red Cross in It's endeavors to aid the Mississippi flood sufferers.
 There were 12 items listed on the program, but as several of them were twins, triplets and quadruplets the actual total of separate items was 20. Then in addition. there were six encores, bringing the grand total of separate hearings to 26. And when Israel Rosenberg got through with the last number the audience simply failed to rise. It was 1O:15 exactly. The pianist responded with another number, which was not over till 10:20. The audience still failed to rise, at least immediately. seeming to be all fixed for a piano recital. But after due deliberation it dawned that the concert was over and the throng wended it's way hence.
 An important point not to be overlooked is that $204.75 was talk en in for the Mississippi unfortu- mates.
 It was a field day--or night--for musicians. The concert was gotten Up in a hurry and nobody had time to work up anything enormously special. But artists have repertoires of pieces that can be seized upon suddenly as the occasion requires and that was all that was necessary in this instance.
 There was the Wennerberg Male chorus, under the direction of Rev. Dr. Abel A. Ahlquist. which project ed it's meifluous notes in seven se- lections. and then an added selec- tion-the Swedish national anthem, as we understood the announce ment. This is one on the order of the Star Spangled Banner. requiring NoSaA VII tOoSiiSs u NSoS sh 5Oou ioC4 to have the Wennerbergers on such a program: every program is en- hanced by their presence. They sang just as well as if they had had weeks of preparation for the event, instead of no time at all.
 It was also a grand idea to place Israel Rosenberg on it. In the last year this pianist has achieved local reputation that cannot be de- nied. His style, technic. brilliancy and clear-cut execution meet the de- mands of the most exacting. The audiences simply become fascinated when they watch him and hear the results. Last night he came forward with the sonorous 'Incantation" of R. Nathaniel Dett, an American composer-and a negro to boot. one who docs not write jazz or ragtime. Rosenberg is one of those exemplar pianists who realize Americans can write real music and he takes pains to get it on his programs The ocean of applause elicited another. Rach- naninoff's "Ponchinello," given with rippling brilllancy. The pianist didn't get another turn until the last posi- ton oo the program, when he gave an "Etude in G fiat by Liszt--a key board finger twister that sounded like real music when played that way. This was supposed to finish the concert. but it didn't. Nobody moved. So Rosenberg put over the most scintillating connection he has done in a long time. What did he do but play the second piano part of the two- piano piece. 'Feu Roi- lant." meaning Rolling Fire" by Duvernoy. This hot number was a feature of the last concert by Guy Meyer and Lee Pattison in this city. The other piano merely takes the same notes for the most part as the second. adding thirds in rapid pas sagcs. Rosenberg made it into thrilling one-piano number, doing it with hair-raising brilliancy. The audience tried to jockey him into starting a recital but it wouldn't work.
 Of course. there were others on the program. and good ones who made good. There was Frederick Welch. tenor, for instance. who sang Pale Moon" in such exquisite fash ion that the audience demanded just another. They got it. Welch made hit.
 There was Mrs. Mary T. Crean. soprano, who sang "Salve Segina" by Hammerill with such feeling that she had to sing again. The St. Mary's soloist had big night, put ting her heart and soul into her singing.
 Burton Cornwall, bass, held forth with the stately Natures Adora- tion," by Beethoven. with organ ac- compartment: following with an en- core due him for his fine effort
 Mahel Finley Armstrong, con- tralto. gave the soulful "Elegie" by Massenet, with violin obligato by
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