Evening star., 1928-12-07
M u SIC
MRS. BEACH'S PROGRAM.

The Misses Rose and Ottilie Sutro
two distinguished musicians native to
Baltimore, but returning after a num-
Der of years spent abroad to make their
home in the National Capital. made an
auspicious debut as joint hostesses at
new type of morning musical program
Yesterday when they presented Mrs. H.
, H. A. Beach, American composer, and
assisting artists, in the first of a series
of three morning events at the Wash
| ington Club. An audience of social and
musical prominence, including Mrs
! Frank B. Kellogg and Lady Isabella
| Howard, showed keen interest in this
new movement and enthusiasm in the
current program.
| The Misses Sutro are featuring in
! these three events American music by
American artists given in the charming
! informal setting suggested by the Eu-
ropean salons. The comfortable chairs
we're grouped so that friends might find
moments for chatting before the pro-
gram. Palms surrounded the two
pianos, and debutantes assisted giving
out the programs. The whole idea SEEM
ed most happy assuming as 1t did the
| aspects of music in the drawing room
of spacious home.
1t was entirely fitting that Mrs.
Beach should be chosen as the eminent
guest artist for this initial program.
Few men composers and even fewer
women composers can stand the strain
Of "one-man program Mrs. Beach
can. She has written lovely songs, but
even lovelier and more significant music
in the bigger forms, even to symphonic
proportions. Her opening number yes
terday, Fantasia Fugata" is most
remarkable work with a fascinating
fugue theme logically developed. Two
works still in manuscript also played as
piano solos by the composer-"Out OF
the Depths" and "A Humming Bird
showed nicely of combination Of pro-
grammatic ideas and thorough musician
ship They are both absorbingly in
teresting and easy to listen to. Moe
turne" gave good contrast to this group.
A composition hot from the pub
liSherS," literally, was Rendezvous"
song. capably sung by the Washington
soprano, Helen HoWison, with violin
obbligato by Henri Sokolov, first violin
of the National String Quartet The
climax of this song is of operate aria
proportions and it is brilliant concert
number. In the group of three songs,
Miss HowiSon seemed to infuSe excel
lent blend of musical Interpretation
with the poetry of the song in Night"
1t might interest WaShingtonians to
know that former washington woman
--Lenora Won Stoesch. who became
leading talented violinist under the
guidance of Josef Kaspar of this city
wrote the poems that inspired two of
Mrs. BeachS songs on yesterdays pro-
gram The poet is now Mrs. Speyer and
one, Of her loveliest lyrics is embodied in
Mine Be the Lips"
Mr.. Sokolov was very satisfactory In
his playing of Mrs. Beach's mellow 'Ro-
nance, for Violin" The grand finale
Of the morning was the playing of Mrs.
Beach'S suite for Two Pianos" found
I'd upon old Irish melodies by the Misses
Sutro, to whom the suite was original
ly dedicated The sisters show remark
able pianistic ability in touch, interpre-
tation and technique. Their ensemble
playing has all the essentials easily con-
troled and the balance of their tonal
quality is SO nearly perfect that there
are many moments when it is almost
impossible to distinguish which of the
two is playing a chance solo phrase.
This suite with is rich contrasts in col
oring of the different themes, has been
heard in Washington before, but never
to better advantage. These sisters are
real addition to local music circles.
H. F.