Evening star., 1939-05-12
Glee Clubs
OF G. w. u.
Effective
Concert Reveals
Great Talent
ellDirected
Bv ALICE EVERSMAN.

The glee clubs of George Washing
ton University combined again last
evening for their annual spring con-
cert at the Willard Hotel. Directed
by Robert Howe Harmon, with Grace
Ruble Harmon at the piano, this
concert represented the twelfth year.
ly appearance of these talented
young students in programs of good
music, excellently sung. The au-
dience always can be counted upon
to be a large one, for the high stand
ard of performance of this choral
group has won a distinctive place in
the musical life of the city and
following that has increased with
the years.
Yesterdays concert held again the
elements that have made name for
the glee clubs as representative of
what can be done when enthusiasm
and talent are skillfully directed.
The fresh, vivid quality of the voices,
their quick response in dynamic ef-
fects and the clear, simple style
which the singers bring to what they
will interpret, are sources of enjoy
ment to the listeners. DR.. Harmons
conducting is sharp and decisive and
through it he keeps the performers
alert and steady. The tempt are
quick and vigorous, the tonal at
tacks clean-cut, as is the finish of
phrase, and when gradation of vol
ume is desired it is accomplished
easily and concisely.
AS is customary, the program was
divided between the men and wom-
ems clubs with an opening and clos
ing group sung by the full chorus.
In the first group, which began with
Warren's God of Our Fathers" the
contrasting tonal hueS were excep-
tionally well brought out in Pergo-
lesi's GLORY to God in the Highest"
Here the purity of the soprano voices
stood out in sharp relief against the
more resonant tones of the heavier
male voices, yet fusing with them
with mellow effect. The absence of
force and strain is remarkable in so
large a body Of singers.
Seven songs formed group for
the men alone, Of which the
Brahms Lullaby" sung in quicker
rhythm than is ordinarily heard but
with an extreme pianiSsimo OF great
beauty, had to be repeated. Other
numbers of particular appeal were
Bucks "On the Sea" and Spieser's
'The Merry Frogs" In the arrange
ment of River Songs" with which
the group concluded, a solo part
was sung by Harcourt Sontag, tenor.
Mr.. Sontag's voice Is unique in It's
unusual sweetness OF quality and
although not large, is arreSting be-
cause of a haunting timbre that is
rarely heard even in tenor voices.
Francis Barnard, baritone, was
the soloist in the Women's Club
presentation of Schubert's ITO
Music" and the strength and free
dom of his tones dominated the
ensemble, while his solo measures
gave opportunity for a full appre-
citation of his rich quality and his
musical feeling. Fosters lovely
"Come Where My Love Lies Dream
ing" was beautifully sung by this
group, which can boast the best
women's voices in the city. Other
songs contributed by them were the
Irish folk song, Loves Benedic-
ton; Mozarts Lullaby" and Hum
perdinck's Evening Prayer"
In conclusion, the combined clubs |
sang Linckes The Glow Worm."
the Scotch ballad, "Ho 70 Mhiari |
Dhu," and Rubinstein's "Kamenci |
Ostrow." accompanied by Leon |
Brusiloff's Concert Orchestra.