The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-02-09

Wneu Lne CIVIC OEcueSUa Anu
Ward Davenny, pianist, finished the
first long movement of the Tschaik-
owsky Concerto in B Flat Minor
last night, there was burst Of en-
thusiastic applause from an audi
ence, gratifled and impressed by a
very notable performance. Mr.. Di-
Cecco, who directed, Mr.. Davenny,
the young artist from New Haven,
and the entire orchestra ensemble
deserves the highest praise for diff
flcult piece of work. The concert
last night presented by the Civic
orchestra of waterbury with Mr..
DiCecco directing was the second
In q series of three symphony con-
certs that are being presented this
season at Buckingham hall. The
event was attended by season sub
scribers and many others who have
followed the progress of the orches-
ira, Its growth In quality, structure
and numbers, since 1t was inaug-
urated a few seasons ago. Last
nights concert was triumph for
Mr.. Di Cecco, Mr.. Davenny, recently
returned from Rome to start teach
ing duties in the Yale School Of
Music, and the orchestra personnel.
Brilliant Composition
The Tschaikowsky Concerto, No.
/, opus % for piano and orchestra,
is one of three written by this
composer and Is piece Of brilliant
composition, grandiose and impress
sive and with enough technical ma
terial to tax the abilities Of the most
finished musician. Mr.. Davenny
played with q marked intelligence
through the long and difficult first
movement, Allegro non troppo
motto maestoso: Allegro con spirito.
He negotiated the grand chord pro-
gressions with significant authority
as well as distinguishing himself for
excellent tonal quality. In Mr..
Davenny can be seen an artist
whose work will grow in stature, an
artist Of apparent ability. Before
going on with the beautifully toned
Andantino semplice, Mr.. Davenny
was obliged to bow repeatedly at
the continued applause, applause
for work well done by him and the
orchestra who gave such fine sup
port. The direction Of Mr.. Di Cecco
In the Concerto was worth noting:
he maintained an even balance and
a happy progression and blending of
piano and orchestra. Mr.. Davenny
accomplished fine tone in the An
dantino with Its lovely melody; and
both pianist and orchestra came to
q brilliant and colorful conclusion in
the Allegro con fuoco, in which were
repeated by the soloist the brilliant
chord progressions Of the first move
ment. So much for the Concerto
which was the piece de resistance
of the evening but which did not
minimize the other works played by
the orchestra group. Mr.. Davenny
was called back again and again
and played Chopin Nocturne as an
encore.
Marked Contrast
Haydn's Symphony In D Major,
No. 1O4 Oondon Group was the
opening number played by the or
chestra. There is considerable gap
between Haydn and Tschaikowsky,
matter of little over q hundred
years, and the contrast between these
two numbers was marked. The
Haydn composition presents the
symphony in Its earliest form, q sort
of enlargement of the sonata, which
form was perfected by this great
composer. Here the orchestra had
to give an account Of themselves
without the greats brilliance and
brayura that characterizes Tschaik-
owsky. This was more trying num-
Der for group that is not complete
in every choir, but whatever small
gaps there were in the various Sec
tons were not too great and the
character of the playing made up
for very minor difficulties. Mr.. Di-
Cecco has managed to gather to-
Eether enough musicians to create a
good balance; there was satisfying
sorority in the string section during
the Haydn performance, as well as
in the woodwind group. On the whole
the symphony was given a careful
and intelligent reading.
Strauss Selections
After a ten minute intermission
the orchestra undertook the gay,
happy, and light in two attractive
pieces by Johann Strauss, first the
Overture to 1.-THE Gypsy Baron" and
second the highly colorful and
descriptive Perpetual Motion" Both
of these were played with a degree
Of abandon, and the various Sec
tions of the orchestra all had a
chance to show of a bit. Mr.. d.
Cecco concluded his cleverly ar
ranged program with the brilliant
"Cappriccio Espagnol, Opus "a" by
Rimsky-Korsa This piece is a
brilliant affair and offers flattering
opportunities for the various choirs.
Miss Mink, harpiSt, and Urico Rossi,
concert master and first violinist,
accomplished nice playing In this
composition which was fiery and
tuneful and colorful through five
parts, very Epenisln In character, in
Guiding Alborado, Variazioni, Albo-
rado, Scena 9 canto gitano, and
Fandango Asttiriano, each played
without patise. The orchestra dis
a.. - - 4. ~ !.