The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1936-12-02

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The usual large and enthusiast
tic audience greeted the efforts
of Rachmaninoff in his annual
piano recital last night at Con-
stitution Hall. Taking frequent
bows throughout the concert,
Rachmaninoff reserved his en-
cores until the close of the pro-
gram, playing his most famous
piece, prelude in c Sharp Minor"
and a Chopin waltz in A Flat"
The recital opened with a List
arrangement of a Bach Organ
Fantasia and Fugue in G Minor"
which was performed with care
full attention to the leading voice.
Rachmaninoff was at his best in
playing Beethoven'S Sonata, Opus
1O9." This work was Respondent
with vivid celebration, flawless
technique and most expressive &C
cents.
Likewise the Chopin works, "Po-
lonaise," "Nocturne," "MaZurka,
and "Rondo," each received care
full treatment resulting in beauti-
full phrasing with a freshness and
spontaniety that left little to be
desired. Reverting for a time to
his own compositions, Rachmani-
noff gave two snowy and harsh
"Etudes- Tableaux,' the c Sharp
Minor and c Minor, but the E
Flat Minor and E Flat Major were
more pleasing to the auditors.
Having delivered himself Of the
main part of a recital in a highly
artistic and satisfactory manner,
Rachmanino1f was apparently
content to rest upon his laurelS
in presenting the three latter
numbers on the program. There
were passages in LISTS "Schnetto
del Petrarca No. 2" which were
more than reminiscent of Wag-
ner's Fire Music from the oval
kurie."
When Rachmaninoff presented
his version of the Paganini-LiSzt
"Etude E Major" and. LISTS
"Rhapsodie No. H." we were re-
minded of a reported converse
ton which happened recently be-
tween Ernest Won Dohnany1, who
had just finished a piano recital
and was being congratulated by
his friend, Josef Lhevinne.
Lhevinne said, wonderful won
derful. I wish I could do
that" Nonsense" replied Doh
Inanyi, "why with your technique!"
Eyes, I know" said Lhevinne,
"but I have to play all the
notes." Frequent notes were
passed over lightly or entirely
missed in the Etude, and, as II
in hurry to finish the program,
the Rhapsodie was played at such
a terrific speed that it was quite
impossible for even the great
Rachmaninoff to hit every note.
Whereas the temptation in this
and kindred works is to use the
pedal over much, Rachmaninoff
almost entirely neglected the
pedal in the RhapSodie. Hope he
finished in time to make his
train!
Lieut.. Charles Benter Is to be
congratulated in going out of the
beaten track in arranging the pro-
gram last night for the concert
of the U. S. Navy Band Symphony
Orchestra at the Navy Yard sail
loft. The unusual features of
the program included Beethoven's
Symphony No. l." the tone poem,
November Woods" (Arnold Bax) +,
and Alfred Casella's rhapsody,
Italia"
The Beethoven First Symphony
does not have the bold and heroic
utterances of the program SYM
phonies, Nos. 8, S, Z and 9, but is
a delightful step in orchestral color
above the chamber-type sympho-
MES of Haydn and Mozart. With
the limitations OF attention to
form, the young Beethoven still
managed to inject originality and
a rugged humor.
Lieutenant Benter led his en-
semble through the delicate struc-
ture of this charming symphony
with a proper restraint that height
ened the effect of the mood in
which it was created. The Ca
sella italia" Rhapsody proved to
be a bold picture painted in strong
contrasting orchestral celebration
which was relieved by the gay de-
nouement making much of the
theme of "Funiculi, Funicula."
The Estelle Wentworth Opera
Group, in presenting Flotow's
opera Martha" last night at
Roosevelt High School Auditorium
rendered a high service to the
community in general and the au-
dience in particular. The scenery,
costumes and well-trained singers
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