The Washington times., 1936-12-16

ny AAhA IL DENIES
A program with q distinct
Christmas flavor was given last
night by the o. S. Navy Band
Symphony Orchestra under tn e
direction of Lieut.. Charles Ben
ter at the Navy Yard Sail Loft.
Included in the holiday season
group were a fantasia on Han
sci and Gretell" (Humperdinck)
Christmas Bells" (Rapee), and
Debussy's "Children's Corner"
Suite. This feature of the con-
cert attracted a goodly sprinkling
Of children in the audience.
The high-light of the concert
was the performance of Mendels-
sohn's italian Symphony" This
work is not the robut fare of
later symphonic composers, but
it does contain a finished craft.
manship and melodic charm
which makes 1t a pleasing con-
trast from the usual. The spon-
taneouS flow Of melody In tn e
first movement was well sustained
last night.
The second movement, Andante
con motto, was delivered with a
wiStfulneSS that heightened h e
mood of mystic, philosophical
search. Here is the vision the
composer had of the majestic and
gorgeous rites attending the coro-
nation of Pope Gregory XVI at
which he was a spectator. Some
have referred to this movement
as THE Pilgrims March"
If the second movement may be
called the march of the penitents,
then, indeed, the Scherzo and Sal
tarello movements must be the
mood Of the same devout people
after having received the Sacra-
ment of absolution. These move
ments were presented with a gay
abandon and vigorous rhythm as
BELTS the dances of the people of
Italy.
A refreshing work that is seldom
heard was the Second Concert
Overture in G Minor" by Alberto
Williams, the Argentinian COM
poser. The overture displays con-
siderable brilliancy and orchestral
coloration. There will be recess
Of two weeks in the Tuesday eve
ming series of symphonic concerts
by the Navy Band Symphony Or
chestra, the next concert will be
given January S.
There is no music in Rosini's
William Tell Overture" that is
descriptive of the famous episode
where William Tell shoots the
apple off his sons head. But the
overture does tell a resume of the
story without using music con-
tanned in the opera itself. The
themes shown above convey the
impression of the rising sun.
The first theme is played by the
violoncellaS and starts on low E
below the bass clef. The :"Pied
Piper" radio program Saturday
eve at 5 o'clock on Radio Station
VOL will be devoted to this IA
nous overture.
The National Symphony Orches-
ira. DR.. Hans Kinder conduct
ing, will present the noted Metro
politan Opera soprano, Lotte
Lehman, this afternoon at 4:45
o'clock at Constitution Hall. Nine.
Lehman will sing a group of
songs by Strauss and an aria from
Tristan and Isolde" (Wagner) L.
The program follows: Invita-
ton to the Dance" (Weber-Wein-
gartner); Concerto Crosse No.
81" (HandeD; and the Prelude
to the Third Act from Tristan
and Isolde" (Wagner). Miss
Lehman will sing: "Allerseelen, ="
"Wiegenlied," Gaelic" (Strauss) {;
and the Vorspiel and Liebestod
from Tristan and Isolde" (Wag.
ner).
Nine. lehman has established
herself not only as an opera
singer, but also as a concert
artist. Her voice, one which
possesses both lyric and dramatic
qualities, is phenomenal, but her
personality is no less captivating.
She charms her audiences more
completely than, probably, any
other artist concertizing today.
Nine. Lehmann's reputation is,
of course, international. Consider
ing her one of the great singers
of all time, Toscanini has called
her to sing in the operas he con-