The Waterbury Democrat., 1937-12-04
.HARPIST SCORES
 DISTINCT HIT
Artists Presented Program of Beautiful Music at
 WOmen's Club

The beauty and technique of the harp were demonstrated last night at tho Womon's club auditorium in a program by the Orpheus Harp Ensemble. seldom has there been heard h thls city c group to offer moro delightful music, The musl- clans were Nellie Zimmer, Gladys Crockeord, Louise Harris, Mabel Austin, and Kenneth Custance, The event was tho second in the Fine Arts Series sponsored by the Matta- tuck Musical Art society Of this city,
 4 brief discussion of tho history of tho harp, description of It's structure in It's present form, and an explanatory demonstration were interpolated about midway on tho program, George Custaneo gave this instructive and lucid narration and some of the sound effects of tho harp wero demonstrated by Miss Crookford. Each O. tho harp lSts h the group was Q skillful mus Sician and tho result was, aS MT, Custnnee described certain harp et- fects, heavenly. Tho harp aS R solo instrument has been appreciated by music lovers and has An acsnowl- edged plaeo outside of largo or- ehestras, but to hear five instru- ments Is something novel, Spon- tNnoous and hearty applause was rendered tho artists last night for Q rich treat.
 Three groups on tho program contained numbers by tho ensemble, Tho opening included "Sarabando", "PasSopicd" and "Choralo Prelude" (JesuS Christ tho Son of dod), by Rameau, dillet and Bach, reSpee- lively. Tho first two wero in a live- ly old-tlmo dance tune rhythm, stately yet delicate; tho third has Vigor and depth. In RaVel's Intro- dUetion and Allegro later played by tho five many of the intricate and technical features of tho instrument wero brought Into action, This was very grand and beautiful per- formance, tho timing and perfection h phraSlng something worthwhile. Later tho ensemble played two compositions that were excellent numbers to bring out tho beauty of the instrument, Mendelssohn's "Etude In B flat Minor" and the Finale from the Harp Concerto "orpheus', Tho last designated by OberChur.Himmer concluded in . grand manner with beautiful ar- peggios and glisSRndo effects, Q real pleasure.
 Tn addition to those contributions by tho ensemble there were three harp solos by Miss Himmer. This artist gave Q rare demonstration, To watch her hands mastering the strings and her pedal work in nego- tiating semitones was Q valuable experience to tho musician and to tho music lover. sho played in succession Am springbrunnen" by HRbel, LiRdoWs Music Box" and Do la Presle's "darden in tho RNin," tt was A choice selection,
 In tho duo portion of tho pro. gram MT, CuStanee and Miss Croeks ford gave Q finished performanee with Rainbow music from "Das Rheingeld" which was an arrange. ment by Qohhard of music from Wagner's opera, This offered . splendid opportunity for both harp- ists Co execute most difficult pas Sages, descriptive md melodious, Next they gave Brahms so fAm- liar lullaby "Wiegenlied" that lent itself perfectly to perfor. mane0 on tho harp; and lastly they played R very brilliant composition by Heinrich debhard, Arabian dypsy Fantasy," which was dedieat- cd to them, This A8 well AS thelr previous offerings, and likewise the entire program with no exceptions gave to tho audience a happy eve. ming, Following the harp duos the two artists played Rs an encore . Brahms waltz Miss Himmer added to her solo selections tho melody with variations of "0ld Black Joe" The ensemble after their final group played m arrangement of the Vol- Ra Boatman's song and tho Irish martial and spirited "oDonnell a Dhu".
 Miss Ethel Ziglatgkl, prominent In the Musical Art society addressed tho gathering before tho concert calling attention to program by tho Mozart String sinfonletta, Yves. Icy c, Sontag conducting, Rt the Women's club Sunday afternoon, February c,