Evening star., 1934-02-01

lame after a song recital IN New
Miss Bartlett and Mr. Robertson have
been acclaimed as pianists Of individ-
uality and style wherever they have
played. They are more than that.
They are unique in the specialized line
they have chosen. The ensemble which
they have achieved is not purely a
understanding Of astonishing perfec-
tion. Although impossible to distin-
gutsh one piano from another, there
- nevertheless positive feeling OF the
personality of each player, but merg-
Ing one into the other with consumate
Art. It Is the personalities of the per-
formers that makes their playing vital,
fresh and buoyant.
Two-piano playing may easily become
academic, but Miss Bartlett and MI.
Robertson have avoided any suggestion
Of this and concentrated on the much
more difficult but finer point of united
interpretive idea. If one would stop
TO analyze, the individual pianistic
equipment of each artist would be
worthy Of note, and going step fur
ther, one could marvel at the patience
and understanding that directed their
efforts toward the goal Of making two
pianos sound as one. These consld-
erations become secondary, however, to
the greater importance Of the manner
in which they grasp the flavor OF the
composition they are playing.
To choose from their program one
@Jesu, Ny Hearts joy; the "Danse
Rituelle du Feu," by de Falla; the
scherDo from Mendelssohn's "N1idsum
mer Nights Dream" and the two-piano
ARRANGEMENT of THE Blue Danube
Waltz" as illustrative of the musical
range of these two artists. In these
four numbers a united roundness of
tone, well planned dynamics and sure
feeling for atmosphere came promi-
nently to the fore. The audience voiced
its very definite pleasure In spontaneous
applause and the artists took time to
add Henselt's dainty If I Were
Bird" as encore
There was also much interest in Mr..
Gray's appearance as a concert artist,
his past career as radio and light opera
Gnger having already won him many
admirers. From his first number,
Beethoven's Creation Hymn" and
throughout his program, Mr.. Gray
demonstrated talent worthy OF seri-
GUS consideration. Possessing truly
beautiful baritone voice of immense
power, he impressed with his serious
attitude toward the content of the
0xaCUlfS lie sang yeSUtIddy.
1t was unfortunate that his singing
was marred by bad intonation, for one
was instinctively conscious that it was
not the fault of his training, but more
q tendency Of his own. to press too
heavily upon some Of his tones and
thus dislodge them from their high
position. He sang with feeling in such
songs as Schumann's "Wenn ich in
define Augen Sch" and the group
by Hugo Wolfe, and projected the hu-
NOR Of the old English "zummerzet-
shire" arranged by Ernest Newton, and
Jacques Wolfe's Bone, Come a-Knit-
tin" with artistic skill. 1t is to be
hoped that another occasion will be
had to hear Mr.. Gray, when the faulty
intonation of his singing yesterday will
have been eradicated. He was heart
lily applauded for the general excel
lence OF his work and recalled for an
encore.
Pierre Luboshutz was sympathetic
and helpful accompanist for Mr.. Gray.
TOO much regret cannot be expressed
- for the unfortunate incident Of the
audience at yesterdays performance OF
"Rigoletto," by the San Carlo Co.,
Ia breaking into applause before the
finish Of the "Caro Nome" aria and
t1us preventing the beautiful high tones
Of the ending from being heard. 1t was
q truly sorry thing to have occurred at