Evening star., 1938-11-22
Tip:ica Group
Pleasing in
Chamber Music
Society Also
Is Heard
BY ALICE EVERSMAN.

CAucuIdI McInOTlal f1au l0St evening
gay Mexican colors draped the
stands of Mercado's Mexican Tipica
Orchestra, which appeared in con-
cert for the benefit OF the Mount
Holyoke College Club scholarship
fund. The members of the orchestra
were in their colorful dress and ma
tive instruments were placed side by
side with the familiar ones Of the
ordinary orchestra. The whole made
brilliant picture for the large audi
ence which filled every seat.
Angel Mercado had arranged .
program exclusively in the Spanish
mood, with three numbers from the
pianist Of the group, Carmen Delfin.
One Of these, the Fantasia Iirica,"
was played by Miss Delfin for the
first time In this country, to the
orchestra's accompaniment, while
her song, "Ofrenda," was the first
offering Of the soprano soloist, Lo-
lita Valdez. The solo artists, in ad-
dition, were a tenor new to this
city, Arturo Cortes; Senorita Sarita,
salterist, and the famous dance
team, Joseflna and Luis Ojeda.
1t was the dancers who brought
the greatest fire and abandon to the
program. Skillful in the intricate
steps Of their various numbers, light,
nimble and graceful, they could have
continued indefinitely, so success
fully did they capture the audience.
Although heard in only one number,
Senorita Sarita was the next point
of interest for her artistic playing
on the difficult 100-stringed instru-
ment. In the brilliant Concert
Waltz in E Flat" by Duran, her
extraordinary dexterity, coupled
with pronounced musical effects,
won an ovation from her listeners.
Lolita Valdez's clear and we'll
trained soprano was heard to ad-
vantage in two solos and duets with
Mr.. Cortes. The tenor, whose voice
| does not measure up to his ability
to put song across, also sang two
numbers with orchestra accompani-
ment. When it came Miss Delfin's
turn to perform, her pianistic talent
had already been remarked as a
substantial part of the orchestra,
and her playing of her own COM
position was warmly received.
The orchestra itself lacks the
spirited impulse that one expects
from Mexican musicians but is seri-
Gus and effective in such numbers
as do not require any special
| elan. The native instruments added
| greatly to the colorfulness Of AL
benizs Cordoba" and Lecuona's
"Karabali" The orchestral part of
the program was varied and under
Mr.. Mercado's careful direction
pleased the audience thoroughly.
The first concert of the candle
light series being given this season
by the Washington Chamber Music
Society took place yesterday after
noon in the Phillips Memorial Gal
lery. The quartet this year is COM
posed of Milton Schwartz and Jeno
Sevely, violins; Ralph Hersh, viola,
and William Brennand, cello. The
program yesterday consisted of two
numbers, the Haydn Quartet Op.
81, No. 2, in c Major and the Schu-
bert Quintet for Strings, Op. 1853, in
c Major" in which the quartet was
assisted by George Feher, cellist.
The Haydn quartet is one of great
beauty with well-def1ned moods that
skillfully employ the varied tonal
quality Of the instruments to their
full expressive possibilities. Except
for certain shrillness of the vio-
Inns in the upper register, in forte
passages, the instruments blend
we'll and the ensemble is smoothly
worked out. In the adagio move
ment with its soft melodic themes,
the leading violin was at its best.
The Schubert quintet did not
quite strike the same personal note
so prominent in the Haydn quartet
and was played in more routined
manner. The individual artistry of
the members of the group vas ap-
parent, however, in the very musical
reading and detailed effects which
they achieved. A large and dis
tinguished audience was on hand
to assist in the Inauguration of this
years series which will be given at
the same place throughout the win
ter.