Evening star., 1937-12-04

ObANb hal ErO, CeleUrabeu
- colored tenor. opened this
seasons concert course spon-
a sored by the Howard Univer-
sity with recital last evening at the
Armstrong High School auditorium.
He was accompanied, as has been his
custom for several years, by Percival
Parham and the two artists are 80
splendidly united in purpose that to-
gether they provide an evening OF rare
musical enjoyment. The program was
select one evidently chosen with
special care and because of the par
ticular suitability to Mr. Hayes un-
usual gift of Interpretation.
And because of this great power in
projecting the full idea of song and
for Immediately creating the proper
atmosphere surrounding it, 4 recital
F, by Mr.. Hayes is different from that
of any other artist. His voice is not
strong one nor, today, as supple as
| 1t once was, but he knows how to use
it to extract every particle of beauty
which the text and the music contain
Last evening he was in excellent form.
While he preferred to use a mezzo-
forte tone for the most part, he gave
variety to it by ringing volume at
times and again by diminishing to a
whisper of sound
But this technical knowledge, to-
gether with his clear diction, is the
least of his art. Far greater is his
deep penetration into the soul of the
music he sings and his power of
projecting it to the last detail over to
his listeners. There is reverence in
his singing for every phrase of music
and every poetic thought of the text.
He handles them lovingly, lending
the warmth of his vocal organ to the
varying moods they express. It is this
understanding of the value Of every
word and note in building up the
whole that makes his art at once
great and simple.
Yesterday, because Of the type
of his program. it was like looking
at exquisite miniatures. seeing the
delicate coloring and noting the beau
tiful workmanship Of the creator.
There was no number programmed
that would sweep the audience OF its
feet because OF the drama or the
pyrotechnics which it contained. They
were lovely, poetic songs that only
poetic singer can successfully pre-
sent.
His first group was classic with
two excerpts from Bach's cantatas,
the "Only Be Still' from over Nur
Leben Gott Least Walten" and la
Pipe" from a secular cantata. These
were balanced by a lovely rendition
OF Lottis "Pur di Cesti" and q little
schwabischer folk song, "The Lam
thorn -Four songs by Schubert
formed another group, "Eifersucht und
Stolz' from die Schoene Muellerin. ;"
'Dass Sir HER Gewesen," "Hark.
Hark, the Lark" and 'Du Bist Die
Rub"
AS beautifully as these numbers
were delivered. the climax of Mr..
Hayes art was heard in the four
spirituals arranged by himself or Mr..
Parham, I'll Make Me q Man" "Bye
and Bye" MY God Is So High" and
Little Boy" Here the simple faith
that spoke OF the Lord with reverence
yet companionship was beautifully
stressed in a musical setting that
gave every opportunity to Mr.. Hayes
superior ability at tender musical
perturbation.
The program concluded with four
song canoes. the Ghetto song BY
Alexander Krein, "Frief and Sorrow. /"
the short MY Little Pool" by Nicholas
Slonimsky, Charles Critics "A SYM
phony in Yellow" and "A Brazilian
African Fetiche Chant" harmonised by
Villa -Lobos.