New Britain herald., 1928-11-12
PONSHlIE AND GANz. WARMLY ACCLAIMED.
C. N. X. Debut ln Artistic Epoch
 Pianist Lauds City

TWO stellar artists of national reputation provided the first recital of the newly formed Civic Music as- sociation in this city yesterday after noon. They were Carmela Ponselle. mezzo soprano. one of the two gold en-vonced Ponselle sisters of Meri- den. and Rudolph Cans. eminent Swiss pianist. Enthusiasm at the Capitol theater registered such a high pitch that recalls were as num- erous as flowers at wedding. elong- ating the concert to such lengths that 1t was not over until a long queue had formed in front of the theater for the first performance of the regular picture show which fol- lowed.
 Officials of the Music association, noting the amazing quality of the joint recital and the self-evident joy of the audience. with justice permit ted pride to take possession of their hearts. All agreed that New Brit ain has revived its music spirit after 8 temporary lapse.
 
 city before. but never within com- fortable memory has there been one with two such high-caliber artists collaborating. We have had con- certs in which one great artist was the sole attraction and the others taking part were merely to afford temporary relief periods for the star. This holds good for long time back except when we had two-piano re- citals. which after all were cata- logued as one attraction.
 Perhaps some thought that such would be the case yesterday; if 70 they overlooked the sterling quality of the pianist. The gentleman gave the audience all he had and that was plenty. Consequently as the artists alternated there was no diminution of interest. Every moment of the afternoon was high light.
 First there was MT. Gantx with three Chopin pieces, fantasy, a nocturne and the scherzo in B hat minor. An exquisitely limpid touch and a tone of marvellous beauty was instantly apparent, and by the time the scherzo was over the house was aflutter with excitement.
 Miss Ponselle made, her appear ance at this point. She wore . gown of colonial pattern. with hoop skirts. Her smile was broad, in. fectious, and she received a warm welcome. Her chief triumphs were to be later. however. for she opened with an aria, 70 don Fatale," from Verdis "Don Carlos" and though it was finely done. operatic arias at concerts. regardless of the vocal technique they require. do not seem to arouse the enthusiasm of the throng. However, there must be variety and to sing one is 8 way to attain it.
 Reappeared Mir. Gang and con. tributed the most inspiring piano solo heard since the time of man runneth not to the contrary. It was nothing less than the great Appas. sionata Sonata of Beethoven, the three movements of which he play ed without pause. Occasionally nowadays one gets an opportunity to hear Beethoven sonata complete the Moonlight, or the Pathetique. But the Appassionata and its S6 pages of impassioned music is as from a different world. It usually is reserved for the Carnegie halls of the metropoli. What an amazing performance it was! It was as if the shade of Beethoven himself how cred above the plano, spurring on the interpreter to do justice to the mighty work. This performance will be milestone of local pianistic his-