Evening star., 1933-11-12

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1t is an encouraging sign for our mu-
sical future that the musical prodigies
of the last generation claim America
for birthplace. Yehudi Menuhin, Rug
giero Ricci, Ruth Slenczynski, Gloria
Perkins and Others are all American
born. although in the little soloist of the
National Symphony there is a stronger
American heritage as well
Glorla's father, c. B. Perkins, is a
thoroughly practical and busineSslike
American. at present head of the New
York Passenger Bureau of the Norfolk
& Western Railway Co. Her mother
and her maternal grandfather were mu-
sicians, and it is to the mother that the
first credit must be given for fostering
and encouraging her daughters talent.
The little child was born in winston
Salem, N c., and from this small en-
vironment the mother has brought her
l0-year-old artist-daughter to the con-
cert platforms of the country.
When a mere baby, Gloria wanted
music. and ner mother proceeded to
instruct her gradually IN the rudiments.
AT the great age of she was able 10
play the piano with unusual ability. At
4 her mother began to teach her the
violin. and so rapid was her progress
that she was given to that successor of
AAAC SLCdk LAhNA III bAlN buoAAiCoS "a man
ing violin prodigies, Louis Persinger
when she was 8 years old she gave a
concert with the Community Symphony
Orchestra Society of New York, and
played again the following year with the
same organization. Last December she
was soloist with the Richmond SYM
phony Orchestra and this year she is
appearing with the National Symphony.
In the four years she has been studying
the violin Gloria has gone further than
many more mature student even of
exceptional talent.
When DR.. Kinder heard her play he
was convinced of the genuineness and
true quality of her gift. "She is an
She is obviously virtuoSo and OBJ
vieusly musicianly. The quality most
generally known as fire is fortunately
lacking. Certainly it would, be unnat-
ural, and its absence convinces me that
Gloria is likely not to prove one of
those prodigies who never fulfill their
youthful promise of greatness" When
Gloria plays this afternoon it will be
on what is claimed to be the oldest
Afnati in existence, an instrument valued
at s65, 900, which Mr.. Persinger obtained
for her use today.
On Tuesday another child artist, Ruth
OF her great talent have been circulated,
Will show New Workers Just how great
that talent is. There is no mistaking
.Ruths love for the piano. Born in
Sacramento, Ruth, SO the story goes,
wanted a piano on her second birthday
anniversary. Her father, a Polish vio-
Anist who was incapacitated for follow
ing professional career by wounds re-
ceived in the World War, was not able
financially to crafty her desires COM
pletely, but he bought for his baby
daughter tiny piano for SO and let her
try her hands on it. Not at all salts
Hed, Ruth demanded '.a big one" and,
money or no money, continued to de-
fnand it, When it was not Forthcoming,
Ruth, not by any means in a tantrum.
when she tried became quite sick.
/ A doctor was called who confessed
himself puzzled until he learned of the
seribed one piano, with as much practice
as desired, and as soon as the remedy
was brought into the house Ruth's
appetite returned. Her father super
Ksed her instruction and at the age
of Ruth was able to win a scholar
ship at Curtis Institute, which was
granted her without question after she
had played four Bach two-part inven-
lions and his c major prelude, and
compositions by Beethoven, Men
delssohn, Grieg and Chopin for Josef
Hofmann.
Ruth has 200 compositions in her
repertoire and can transpose them in
any key. She can analyZe harmonies
and has the gift of perfect pitch, yet
with all this she is a natural, happy
child After a short period of study
with Hofmann, she was taken to Ber-
lin to study under Arthur Schnabel
In 1881 she played at the Bach Saal
and left her audience dumfounded by
her playing From Schnabel and Ber-
lin she went TO Cortot and Paris and
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