Evening star., 1939-05-01
Three Groups
Give Joint
Concert
Large Audience
Hears Program
At Willard
By ALICE EVERSMAN.

A concert that brought together
the Washington Saengerbund, the
Arion Singing Society Of Baltimore
and the st. AIMS Boys Choir on
the same program was given yes
terday afternoon at the Willard
Hotel before a large audience. The
Washington Saengerbund, which
last year sang with conspicuous
success in Baltimore, was host to
the Arion Society in return yester-
day, the two groups of German sing
ers vieing with each other in friend
ly rivalry. The local society has a
women's chorus, under the direction
of DR.. Kurt Hetzel, the mems group
being conducted by Herbert Karl
Herzfeld, who made his debut in
this capacity yesterday. The Arion
Society is directed by Theodor Hem
berger.
Combining with the boys choir
in the first two numbers of the pro-
gram, the Saengerbund gave high
ly devotional performance Of Mo-
zart's Ave Verum" and Gabert's
"In me gratia," closing with the
chorus of priests from die Zauber-
f1oete," sung by the men alone. Par
ticularly to be remarked was the
clean attack and finish of a phrase
and the rhythmic exactness with
which the men gave each of their
selections. In later group was
heard Mair's wilde Rose" Juengsts
"Slavonic Serenade," Silchers "Zu
Strassburg auf der Schanz," Wer-
ner's "Heidebroeslein" and Kountz's
1.-The Sleigh" the only number sung
in English. Its spirited perform
ance had to be repeated.
Dividing the two groups of the
Saengerbund were three organ num-
bers played by Conrad Bernier,
among them being composition by
Mr.. Herzfeld, prayers" In this
work of beautiful mystic character
Mr.. Bernier created a deep impress
sion with his sensitive interpreta-
ton. Although the organ was not
a smoothly responsive one, his play
ing Of the Bach "Toccata and Fugue
in D" and Boellmann's "Allegretto"
demonstrated the superb mastery of
his instrument for tonal coloring,
which Mr.. Bernier has to such q
great degree, and his graceful and
elegant command of lighter effects
as in the "Allegretto."
The Saengerbund Women's Chorus
was a revelation, for here is a group
of unusual voices that are pure and
true and whose singing has the
melodious quality that fine solo
voices possess. They sing naturally
and with spontaneity, yet with feel
ing. In Mendelssohn's "Hebe deine
Augen auf," Engelskirchen's "An
Gruener Linde" and Schubert's "Die
Nacht," the latter exceptionally well
done, they scored very distinct sue
cess.
The guest society from Baltimore
followed with three songs in which
a fine sorority of volume and we'll
matched voices were disclosed. The
dynamic effects in Mornings der
Trompeter an der Katzbach" and
simple artistry Of the two folk songs,
"Du, Du negst mir i'm Herzen" and
"Abschied; muss dem" were beau
tifully achieved and brought forth
a ready response from the audience.
In conclusion the Baltimore Arion
and the Saengerbund united in the
singing of Beethoven's die Ehre
Gottes" and Kalliwoda's "Das
Deutsche Lied"
The program was given cappella
and the blending of voices in each
Of the groups was well attained.
Mr.. Herzfeld, who but recently took
over the conductorship of the Saen-
gerbund, brings authority and vital
ity to his directing and a refined
sense Of artistic values. The concert
throughout was one Of the most en-
joyable that has been offered In the