The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1935-11-11
Vocal Abi|ity
IS Shown in
Last Recital
Singing of Don Cossacks
Resembles Gigantic
Human Organ.
BY JOHN w. THOMPSON

eSLerQdy dlleIuOOIl GIlS OOll
Cossack Male Chorus under the
leadership of its Napoleonic Serge
Jaroff, sang its farewell Indian
apolis concert at English's. Its first
concert years ago could not pos
sibly have been more inspiringly
beautiful.
These 81 men from the River Don
region, picked from starving group
of prisoners after the revolution,
are the essence OF choral singers.
Their singing is like gigantic
organ, with all the diminuendos and
allegros of that instrument, CONF
bined with a human creative eX-
preston impossible to attain on
mechanical organ 1t is music
which lives and will live.
Directs With Whole Body
Mr. Jaroff, the only one among
them who was professional must
clan before the Formation Of the
chorus, directs the a capella music
with facial expression and move
ment of his hands and body. His
small frame shifts from one foot to
another, his body becomes rigid and
relaXes. Each movement means
certain thing to the chorus, each
leader closely.
In yesterdays program, Song of
the Indian Host" from the opera,
"Sadko," by Rimsky- Korsakof, was
received warmly. known to most of
us as the Song of India" this
music is adapted peculiarly to the
versatility of the Cossacks' voices.
Their marvellous falsettos, almost
like violin tones, and the gutteral
bass, made a fine contrast.
Of the first group, religious songs,
Funeral Song" by Tschesnokof,
was best. 1t is. plea to God for
safety of the soul of one dead. The
themes plaintive simplicity was ar
rested ably and controlled nicely.
Arranged by Leader
Another of Rimsky -Korsakoff
songs, The Invisible Town Kitesh
and the Maid Fevronia," which has
been arranged for choral singing by
Mr.. Jaroff, was an example of what
the choristers can do with monu-
mental music. The song is built on
operate themes with the plea for
aims "in Gods name" starting it
and the chorus in the Invisible
Town" ending it.
The song has imaginative power,
sweeping strokes Of tonal beauty and
a plot background that holds all the
music together in one striking line
of musical thought.
AN Old Polka" comical song of
the sweetheart who asks her boy
friend to dance the polka, is the
type of thing the men seem to en-
joy most, "Lezginka," is another of
the same type and gives the singers
an opportunity to display their own
particular brand of vocal gymnas-
tics.
Strength Revealed
The closing 1.-TWO Don Cossack
Songs" were done ably and revealed
the physical strength Of chorus
that can sing a difficult program
and then have vocal power left to
! perform two vibrant tunes in a
maSterful manner
The CosSacks strobe from the
stage yesterday supposedly for the
last time, but we believe they will be
back, although perhaps not for sew
eral years. Music like theirs is essen
tial to the cultural background of
any civilization and any requirement
as strong as that is bound to bring
back the necessity.
Gallant men, strange men, men
from all walks of life, men who sing
for the pure joy of singing, the Don
Cossacks are remnants of a fierce.
fighting, romantic race. One could
almost imagine the pounding Of
hooves on the pavement as they
rode" for the next town they in
tend to capture"
Mrs. Nancy Martens, sponsor of
the concert, deserves a big hand for
allowing indianapolis music lovers to
hear the Cossacks. She also deserves
praise for bringing to local '1egit'
patrons the recital of Nino Martini,
Nov. "a, and the three operas,
Aida" "Lohengrin" and Madame
Butterfly Nov. 20 and 30.