Evening star., 1938-12-07
OrganConcert
Presented by
Bernier
Program Second
In Howard u.
Series
BY ALICE EVERSMAN.

by ALICE EVERSMAN.
The second concert of the series
sponsored by the Howard University
presented the noted organist, Con-
rad Bernier in a diversified and
interesting program last evening in
Rankin Chapel Although the organ
Is not remarkable for Its responsive
ness or its mellowness of tone nor
was the audience as large as it
should have been, Mr.. Bernier
played with the utmost artistic con-
centrat1on and gave a performance
which revealed his fine discernment
and muSiclanShip.
Perhaps the most outstanding
characteristics Of Mr.. Bernier's play
ing is the poetry of his conceptions
and its expression in a wide variety
OF color effects. His style is dis.
tinctly individual and, together with
his keen appreciation of the mean
ing OF what he interprets, there
is at his command a flexible tech
nique and true judgement in the
use of the resources of his instru-
ment. His pedal facility equals that
OF his fingers and his ability to
make the one subservient to the
other is accomplished with great
clarity.
This point was we'll demonstrated
In the Fantasy and Fugue in G
Minor" by Bach, with which the
program opened, and where the
important Intervening of parts in
the Fugue was beautifully developed.
The imaginative quality in Mr.,
bernier's playing, an arresting ele-
ment at all times, gave great charm
to Daquin's Noel ct Variations"
which followed, and one was i'm
pressed again with the particular
nneness and originality of his in
tuition.
Full Powers in Play.
Gullmant's Sonata in D Minor,
Up. a. became more than a number
whose scope called into play the
1ull powers of the performer, for
as Mr.. Bernier gave it, it was as
richly hued as an old tapestry where
the threads of color are each of su-
preme Importance in the splendid
whole. One followed with unceas-
ing interest the various themes and
the contrasts which Mr.. Bernier at
tanned bringing into evidence the
many possibilities of the organ.
Unfortunately this was all of the
program that we could stay to hear
but following the Sonata came three
works by Cesar Franck, "Pastorale. !"
Choral in A Minor" and "Piece
Heroique." the Allegro from Widor's
sixth Symphony" and the first per-
lormance of "Eclogues' by Mr..
Bernier. This triptych, after read
lngs OF Vergil," was identified in its
movements as (a) When the dew
on the tender grass is sweetest to
the CATTLE" (b) May your reed and
my voice be joined in a song" and
(c) Behold, all rejoice in the age to
come. The program concluded with
Vlerne's Westminster Chimes"
Recital at Sulgrave Club.
AT the Sulgrave Club before a
distinguished audience of ample
size, Norman Frauenheim gave a
piano recital last evening which
programmed works from Bach to
Paderewski.
Mr.. FTauenheim was in especially
good form and played with finelv
modulated tone and great care for
nuance. His well grounded tech
nlque, which can be brilliant when
heeoeo, was used with finesse in
gaining minute effects of great value
substantiated by a skillful pedal
control. There was we'll stressed
musical thought and a poised de-
livery In each of his offerings and
particularly outstanding in the Bee
thoven Sonata. Op. 81, No. @"
The first part of the program
beginning with the Bach-Liszt Pre-
lude and Fugue in A Minor" con-
tinued with Haydn's Variations in
F Minor" Mozart's "Rondo in A
Minor" the Beethoven Sonata" and
Schumann's "Toccata." Following
the intermission came a group of
Chopin including the "Nocturne in
F. Sharp Minor" the "Polonaise in
E Flat Minor" two Mazurkas and
three Etudes, Debussys Reflections
in the Water" The Maid with the
Flaxen Hair" and The Wind Over
the Plain" and, in conclusion, Pad
erewski's 'tNocturne in B Flat" and
"Cracovienne Fantastique.
The artist was given a most
friendly welcome and much ap-
plause after each number.