The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1934-02-26
CONCERT SERIES
TERMINATES IN
FITTING GLORY
GoosSenS and GieSeking
Join in Giving Brilliant
Performance.
BY LOUISE DAUNER
Member Of indianapolis Symphony

tmemDcf OF indianapolis SNmpn
The fourth Martens concert sea-
son was concluded in a burst of
glory when two luminaries Of the
concert field joined forces yesterday
afternoon at the English theater.
They we're pianist Walter Giese-
king and the Cincinnati Symphony
orchestra under the direction of
Eugene Goossens. Together, they
presented a concert the like of
which has not been heard in Indi-
annapolis for many years. For it has
been some time since an eminent
solOist and a major orchestra have
appeared simultaneously.
The program included the Sym
phony No in c major by Sibelius,
Rachmaninof Second Concerto"
for piano and orchestra, Mr.. Coos
sens own "Sinfonietta" and the
Overture to lie Baruffe Chiozzotte,"
by Sinigaglia.
Orchestra Technically Adequate
The Cincinnati orchestra is a
highly polished organization. Its
tone is eXcellently balanced, its en-
semble notably sound. Tone quail
ity Of the string sections is luscious
or brilliant as the case demands.
always is technically adequate, fire.
always is technical Inadequate, fire.
quently emotionally inspired. It's
phrasing is smooth and Well-bal-
anced and it has a pleasing CONT
nuity of style.
Mr.. Goossens' directing is sane,
sensitive, sympathetic. 1t has
commanding breadth and quiet
vitality both of which are commu-
nicated to his men, although, unlike
some conductors, he does not domi-
nate the scene to the extent that
he always is the central figure. On
the contrary, he is almost retiring,
with the result that ones attention
is centered first upon the music it
self, then upon its medium, the Or
chestra.
The Sibelius symphony, a difficult
work from the standpoint of in
volved rhythms and tonal nuance,
was given a satisfying and warmly
Colored performance. wildly con-
veying the spirit of desolation so
inherent in the Finnish composers
works.
Gieseking's Brilliant Technique
1t was followed by the concerto
and Mir. GieSeking. To hear Wal
ter Gieseking for the first time
proved, for one listener, an expe-
rience not soon to be forgotten. In
the man himself, genial, kindly,
sympathetic, one sees the artist.
The pianist imbued the always
rich and cOlOrful concerto with
poignant beauty. 1t is hard TO i'm
agine more satisfying playing, for
here is an absorbing artist. 1t is
as though he abandOnS himself
completely to the music at hand.
Possessing as he does apparently all
the requirements for great art, one
becomes almost unaware of the
brilliant technique, elegant phraSing,
Velvety tone, in the deeper Signifl-
canoe of an all-encOmpaSsing hui
mainly which is perhaps his out
standing characteristic.
One felt his complete sincerity
and belief in the power of the mes
sage of beauty that he brings.
Something less than a dozen curtain
calls brought two encores, De-
bussy's clair de Lune" and "Sere-
made" by Strauss, both exquiSitely
played.
Humorous Numbers Presented
The remaining two orchestral
numbers. comprising the second half
of the program, had a distinctly
light and humorous trend. The
"Sinfonietta" presented Mr.. Coos
sens in the dual role of composer
conductor. 1t is a piquant and def
initely mOderniStic composition,
based on theme which the COM
poser heard WhiStled on a London
street. 1t revealed him as a ca
pable and reSourceful orchestral
writer with a diverting sense of hui
NOR. It was enthusiastically re-
ceived
For the concluding overture, The
Squabbles of the People of Chiog-
gia,' the baton was turned over to
the assistant conductor. vladimir
Bakalienikof, who is also principal
violiniSt of the orchestra. Under his
dynamic direction. it provided a
sparkling and effective climax to
an afternoon unique in recent local