Evening star., 1935-11-17

4 \ "Only an accompanist" is
gifted performers, by those who do l
carry or the great talent which must
string instrumentalist.
No matter how perfect the endow-
inent Of a soloist may be, his per-
formance can be ruined by a poor ac-
companist. His finest effects count
for naught. If they are not shared and
skilfully carried out by the person at
the piano The requirements Of TO-
day, as regards Interpretation and
musical hnesse, make of the combina-
ton of soloist and accompanist as
artistic a union as In any type Of
ensemble playing.
Being an excellent pianist is not
enough to insure being even a good
sccompanist. They are born, not
made. and a pianist early recognizes
his prediction for this seemingly IN
ferior part In a concert performance.
He realizes his capability for assum-
ing a real responsibility and the
sensitiveness of his reactions to every
indication Of the soloist and the wide
scope Of Interpretation given into his
keeping. to which his technical efi-
cheney Is but a necessary adjunct.
\ r Il
MOST pianists find it difficult to
~A adjust themselves to the constant
Use Of rubato or the broadening Of
phrase which the text prescrtbes, for
Q singer, or the instrumental needs
Of violinist or cellist.
Again. they are 50 accustomed to
giving out their individual ideas Of
a composition. that to submit to the
direction Of another Is entirely foreign
to them, If they have not in their
makeup that particular adaptability
that Is a requisite of an accompanist.
For the soloist must be allowed ali
freedom in Interpretation and 1t Is
his conception OF the music that must
be paramount.
1t is not an easy task to be good
accompanist. A pianist who would
follow this line must possess above
all q great sensitivty. He must an
ticipate what a soloist is going to
do, and some innate sense must warn
him well in advance Of every slight
change In tempo or in exposition He
must be alert for emergencies and be
sympathetic in feeling. Whether be
approves Of it or not, he must be
able to carry out the ideas Of the
soloist in the pianistic moments and
keep the framework of the general
idea intact. His individuality must
be felt, and at the same time must oe
kept subservient to that Of the artist
X y X X
THESE requirements are not teach
- able. but must be Unborn in the
artist who would assist IN the render
ing Of great music. Oftentimes, as
in Strauss exquisite "Morgen," 1t is
the accompanist who establishes the
mood with the Introductory measures,
preparing the way for the further de-
yelopment by the soloist.
Again he must carry on the idea in
the same vein established by the solo,
3st. but still more, he must have infi-
mite understanding Of his duties In
the ensemble. knowing Just how much
he can come to the fore, and keeping
himself ready for a last-minute change
in Interpretation.
An artist and his accompanist may
be in full accord at rehearsal time,
as to what they will both do, but
under the special influence which an
audience has over him, the soloist may
think Of new effects at the last mo-
ment. This is his privilege, but disas-
ter can easily follow If the accom-
panist is not quick enough to grasp the
changes.
Every artist Is dependent upon his
accompanist and when he finds one
on whom he can implicitly rely he Is
inspired to greater effort in his art
Year after year we read OF the same
accompanist on an artists program.
They have grown to understand each
other, and know that together they
will keep the individuality Of the
artist intact.
Many artists engage an accompan-
gst as they would secretary-by the
year-and each day they devote GER
tain number Of hours to working to-
gether. Without the security that q
good accompanist gives, an artist would
not be able to put into play the full
range of his talent. It is not an easy
position to fill, that of being the
accompanist Of q famous artist. for the
responsibility Is great. Yet his work
Is seldom recognized for its value and
he goes throughout his artistic life,
known simply as IAN accompanist."
II \
THE seating Of late arrivals at con-
- certs continues to be the annoy
ance of concert events. In spite Of the
sincere efforts Of the local managers
to fix the concerts ut convenient hours,
It still seems impossible for many to
get to the hall In time. It has been
Q very bad practice to seat the late!