Evening star., 1937-02-15

u moods portrayed equally diver
second gloomy and philosophical. Th
represented by his organ Pastorale" 9
while the modern numbers were
Mahler's "Kindertotenlieder," sung
by the soloist, Maj Loudon Green
lees, and Scriabin's symphony No.
g." known as lie Divin Poeme" 1t
Is difficult to recall program by the
Symphony in which the two extremes
of composition we're placed to balance
each other, vet the long jump over
years. thoughts and forms was an
interesting experiment.
Of course the jump might have
been much longer, into those ultra
modernists whose works cannot yet
be heard in a perfectly calm, judicial
state of mind. In choosing Mailer
and Scriabin in juxtaposition to Bach.
DR.. Kinder showed his wisdom in Sc
lecting two composers whose compost
tions. in almost every instance, have
made definite impressions on the pub
lie. Both men have a profoundly
moving musical speech with which to
clothe ideas of depth and originality,
q type of thought that springs from
an inner richness of soul and which
would make of music an exact me-
dium of transmitting their special
mental trend.
Maj. Greenlees Praised.
The Mahler songs, written under
the sorrow at the loss Of his daughter
to a text by another who had suf-
fered the same bereavement, had as
interpreter the distinguished Scot
tish baritone, Maj. Greenlees. A
more sympathetic interpreter could
not be found. both as to feeling for
the music and as to vocal quality.
Mai. Greenlees' voice is deep bar
itone Of exceptionally musical timbre,
which, while not dramatic in char
acter, has a rich warmth that bor-
ders on tenderness. He is eminently
q singer of songs, and one that Will
draw his audience with him into the
atmosphere of the music rather than
dazzle 1t with a brilliant display OF
virtuosity.
The music is difficult to deliver
technically as well as interpretatlVely,
and Mai. Greenlees was sure in his
musical reading and took advantage
Of every opportunity for accentuation
OF dynamic color. The five songs
were given without interruption OF
applause. Their somber character is
radiant with a tenderness beyond
words and q most human remem-
brance that ends on note of peace.
The orchestration Is in keeping and
DR.. Kinder carefully fiexed the
volume of the orchestra to the needs
of the soloist. Maj. Greenlees was
given an ovation at the conclusion,
recalled many times and still once
more when the orchestra was leav-
Ing for the intermission.
Scriabin's "Divin Poeme" is COM
plex IN character with precise pro-
gram intriguing to follow in its musi-
cal development. It speaks of the
battle of Man to be a Divinity unto
himself, his weakness and, at the
end, his triumph over his weakness.
The music is highly emotional and
In its massive and unrestrained eX-
preston realistically depicts this ter
rifle struggle. 1t is divided into three
movements, 'Luttes," "Voluptes" and
"Jeu Divin," each written with a
driving force of great persuasion. In
yesterdays reading, the mass of ma
terial gained prominence over clarity,
although the sincerity of the inter-
probation won enthusiastic recogni-
ton from the audience.
Bach Numbers Stand Out.
And against these soul-searching,
sorrowful subjects, the Bach num-
bers stood out in exquisite beauty
and freshness. The organ Pasto-
rale" is a gem of purest water, its
harmonies robust but happy in ma
ture. The "Brandenburg Concerto"
gave occasion for violin, oboe, flute
and trumpet solos, a combination Of
rare individuality. To a string ac-
compartment, the clear sound of the
trumpet, the softly plaintive tone of
the oboe, the passionless color of the
dute and the blending voice of the
violin lent its color in the weaving
OF lovely tonal pattern. The solo,
lists. all flrst-chair men. were made
to bow their acknowledgement of a
cordial reception many times. The
serenity, and at the same time the
broad, warm character of Bach's
writing, was a thought-provoking con.