Evening star., 1932-05-12

by Mrs. Gertrude Lyons, president
of the District of Columbia Fedora
ton of Music Clubs, included (other
than the local talent) singers from
the B. g. 0. Music Club of Baltimore,
the Baltimore Music Club and the
Matinee Music Club of Philadelphia.
The composers were present last
night and were applauded vigorously
after the performance of thei- work.
Chief to be recommended in this
composition, which has received
more than favorable comment where
ever 1t has been performed Cast
week found large chorus in Fort
Worth, Tex, undertaking it, was
its martial spirit and the effective
ness of the transitional phases Of
its many sequences. Dealing with
outstanding events in the life of
George Washington, it was descrip-
tive not only of famed historic
moments but included also suitable
interludes-such as the Prayer"
Sunset" and a significant epilogue-
which incidentally was sung mag
nificently by the chorus.
Last nights performance. in fact,
seemed like the smoothest piece cf
work accomplished by a large un-
professional chorus this hall has
witnessed in a long, long time. Capt.
BranSon conducted the singers, as
well as his orchestra, with tremen-
dous vigor, and in the more subdued
portions carried them forward with
a splendid understanding of the
music.
The chorus put real enthusiasm
into that part of THE Mo-
nongahela" which begins Turks the
red warrior" and later on in the
singing Of the Camp Song" and be-
fore that in the nicely modulated
prayer" sang with splendid re-
straint. With never minutes
uncertainty, or straining either for
tone or quality, this large group of
singers lover 200) did complete JUS
tice to the work at hand, and were
applauded afterward by the audi
ence with obvious enthusiasm.
AS notable as the well sustained
singing of the chorus was the solo
work of Mark Shull, tenor, of Roa-
noke, Va, and Robert Wiedefeld,
effective of all was Mr Weidefeld's
singing of "Washington'S Farewell
to His Officers" Only a mite less
admirable was the work of Mr.. Shull
at earlier stages Of the cantata.
The Marine Band did its job well,
too, not only as accompanist but
also at the beginning of the program
as Soloist. AS some one remarked
last night, you can always rely on
the Marine Band TO come through"
And come through it did in four
selections, which were climaxed by a
superb rendition of WagneriS Tam
hauser"
AS an added feature of the pro-
gram, the talented Baltimore Music
Club, led by Franz c. Bornschein,
well known as a composer and
critic, sang two of Mr.. BoTnschein's
compositions with special tonal
sweetness and a spontaneity that
lent a graceful touch to the con-
clusion of the evening.
E de S. MELCHER.
Recital by
Gabrielle Bernier.
A DIMINUTTVE young person,
~ whose attractive stage pres
"A ence is not the least of her
A 4 assets, gave piano recital
in the auditorium of the
Arts Club last night, being presented
by her teacher, Felian GarZia.
Gabrielle Bernier is a French Ca
madam, not long resident here, whose
brother is the organist, Conrad
Bernier. incidentally, the cadenza
which he wrote for the concerto his
talented sister played was in excel
lent taste and just the right length,
too
Miss Bernier's program followed
the conventional lines, the classic
school being represented by Bach
prelude and Fugue," and the Oft
heard Scarlatti "Pastorale and
Capriccio" The "Fantasie I'm
promptu," a prelude of Chopin and