Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-03-06
Nj u SIC
aNrrRo rosCANINI CONDUCTS.

The Italian genius, Arturo Toscanlni,
returned to Washington yesterday att
ernoon for his first and only appearance
here during the season, and, as a re-
suit, those present at the National
Theater enjoyed the most thoroughly
satisfying concert of the year. Al
though the weather of Inauguration
day Still chung to the Capital City, an
audience that reached the standing
room limits, paid homage to the
great conductor. Applause after each
selection reached ovation proportions.
and, at the end, there were shouts OF
bravo" 1t was real occasion.
1t seemed as though Signor Toscanini
had brought new orchestra to Wash
ington. The New York Philharmonic
Symphony Orchestra has ben heard
hece before this season under two
other conductors, but on neither oc-
casion did it sound so alive in every
section with such complete. inStanta-
necus response on the part OF each
man in the orchestra as was the case
yesterday. There was buoyancy as well
as perfected practice noticeable from
the first note of the Mozart "Haffner"
symphony. Throughout the symphony,
especially In the lovely third movement,
Tie minuet, the exquisite blend of
shaded tone and consistently main
tanned lightness so characteristic of ar
C1sric reading of the works of the Salz-
burg master were dominant features.
The novelty to Washington was the
"Feste Romano" recently completed
work by Ottorino Respighi, which his
countryman, the maestro of La Scala,
brought with him in manuscript form
to give the first American performance
soon after his arrival in New York.
This is the third and final of group
Of works that are musical tapestries
Of Roman history and natural surround
ings. The first two, Fountains of
Rome" and pines of Rome" each
distinct In character and musical con-
tent, are both equally different from
this latest work. Roman Festivals"
opens with a barbaric description in
brilliant, almost blatant, tonal colors
Of the arena in the time of Nero when
wild beasts had a prominent place in
the entertainment of the public. The
second movement, THE Jubilee" de-
plotting weary pilgrims to Rome en-
joying their first sight of the Eternal
City, amid a paen of worshiping ex-
altation and the clamor of church
bells, again sounds the religious note.
In the final movement, Epiphany"
the pagan suggestions of the first move
ment are elaborated and amplified. The
third movement, October Excursions"
does not seem quite to belong with
the other three, in its very romantic
and pastoral mood. It Is lovely music.
The troubadour Is suggested in the clever
bit of mandolin music. The entire
work is programmatic, frankly and me-
lodiously so. It Is not great music in
an inspirational sense, perhaps, but
it is exceedingly fine Of its kind and
certainly touches inspirational attitudes
In the pilgrim movement.
The impressionistic beauties of De-
bussy's liberia" were followed by the
most artistic rendition of the sonorous
1t has been the lot of one nearer, at
least, to have heard It was not the
music or the orchestra that lifted this
program to its great heights: it was
Toscanini, who has the astounding
memory and pains-taking diligence
found only in a genius. H.. F.
MIKSA MERSON AT ARTS CLUB.
A large audience gathered at the Arts
Club last night and enthusiastically re-
ceived the piano recital program offered
by Miska Merson, a young Hungarian
pianist, who has been in the city for
the past two seasons.
Mr.. Merson has most facile fingers
and evident knowledge of technique.
His playing indicated that he Is of the
type who relishes the reading of COM
plicated technical works rather than of
the more delicate compositions that
make most demand upon imaginative
Interpretation. He seemed at his best
in the Cesar Franck "Chorale and
Fugue," playing the fugue particularly
we'll. The Brahms "Intermezzo" found
sympathetic Interpretation at his hands
and he seemed to especially enjoy pre-
senting the Bartok number.
The Tschaikowski familiar waltz won
much applause and the old dance
themes of Mr.. Merson's own compost
lions, which followed the formal pro-
gram, aroused appreciative response
| from the audience.
The program followed dinner at
which Mr.. Merson was the honored
guest, and it seemed to be one of the
most successful of the musical events
| given at the club this season.