The Washington times., 1935-01-23
World of Music
Child Pianist Give S
Excellent Recital At
Constitution Hall

"A JuDDJ ANGAC BAA IA " "AAANS
dress with red bows walked shyly
out on the stage of Constitution
Hall yesterday afternoon, made
a funny little courtesy, sat down
at big grand piano and pro-
ceeded to give one of the finest
recitals ever heard on any stage.
1t was Ruth Slenczynski, the
little 10-year-olG prodigy whose
appearance here was bitterly
fought on the ground 1t was
violation Of the child labor law.
But there was no labor about
that concert yesterday. It was
a work of art, and the little girl
just loved every minute OF it.
She played and played, and
warmed to the applause.
The audience. composed OF al
most as many children as adults,
thrilled to the music of those
little hands that had to stretch
so hard. There was genuine en-.
thusiasm, and the appearance OF
the little artist was the greatest
thing in the world for Washing
ton children. It showed them
what child may do and proved
a great incentive.
A Child Wonder
OF course, few, if any, of the
children who heard yesterdays
magnificent concert will ever
achieve the place that Ruth has
found, for she is indeed a child
wonder.
Her technique is remarkable,
her understanding Of music ex'
cellent, and her speed and finger
ing amazing.
There is not the relaxation one
might find in an artist Of more
mature years, but then that is
to be expected. Here is a child
very young child but with the
soul of a great artist
Her program opened with one
of the most beautiful piano com.
positions ever written, Beethoven's
Moonlight Sonata. It was played
with rare understanding and
charm.
She followed this with Mozart's
Sonata in A major. a highly tech
nical work, calling for the utmost
of skill, but nothing so colorful as
the rest of her program.
It was in the final group of
numbers, Chopin, that she dis.
played the greatest amount of
skill and artistry. It was a long
stretch for the little legs to reach
the pedals, but she made it, and
played with fire and certain
rhythm that was amazing.
It was q concert well worth
hearing, one of pureSt delight, and
it would be shame if the laws
were to be so interpreted to ban
such child artists from the Capital.
Soprano At Howard
Despite the very inclement
weather. a capacity audience
heard Lillian Evanti, lyric colora-
tura soprano, in the second Of the
artist series presented at Howard
University last night.
Nine. Evanti, who is a Washing
ton girl, and the daughter of the
late DR.. Bruce Evans, founder Of
Armstrong High School, won
much applause from the audi.
ence through her excellent pre-
senation Of her numbers. Lam
ero Saco Costante," by Mozart,
was received as the outstanding
number of her very long program.
Two other numbers were sung
written by Mozart; five by Hugo
Wolf; Mad Scene" by Donizetti; !;
two Negro Spirituals by Burleigh:
"Ah Fors E Lui' from La Travi-
alta, by Verdi, and two numbers
written by Miss Camille Nicker-
son, instructor in the Howard Con.
Servatory of Music.
William Allen, of the Howard
faculty, was at the piano and
Louia Vaughn Jones, violinist,
also Of Howard, assisted. Nine.
Evanti, making her first appear
ance here this season, is well
known throughout America as
we'll as abroad where she gave re-
citals in many European cities.
Y~v1~c V1TC TV~~o-