Evening star., 1940-12-10
Merson Again
Heardin
Recital
Well Received;
Carmen Given
By Opera Guild
Bx ALICE EYERSMAN.

A cordial audience greeted Miksa
Merson last evening at the Textile
Museum, where he gave a varied
program OF piano numbers. Mr..
Merson was formerly well known
here, having been heard often in
recital, and his many friends well
coined him again on his return to
active participation in the musical
life of the city. The concert was
given under a group of distinguished
patrons, among whom was Mrs. Wal
ter Bruce Howe, whose STARS"
opened the second half of the pro-
gram.
In Chopin's Sonata in B Minor"
Mr.. Merson achieved his best inter-
pretive effect. His style of playing
is eminently fitted for poetic express
sion and from this angle he ap-
preached the Sonata. 1t was pol
ished in all the smaller points that
are so essential to the whole, the
artists musical feeling dominating
the performance.
Mr.. Merson has 4 mastery tech
nique with unusually brilliant trills
and runs. 1t is a technique that
would respond to a greater demand
upon it than was given last evening
for Mr.. Merson refrained from seek
ing the broader effects which would
call upon full sorority of tone and
a more dashing display of virtuosity.
The refinement of his musical in
tentions was obvious in all that he
played. although variety of coloring
was sacrificed to this end
The List Twelfth Rhapsodie' re-
vealed the ease and sparkling quail
ity of his technical mastery to the
greatest advantage, his tone taking
on more brilliancy in this number.
His adaptability to different moods
was not so expansive as to match
the fluency Of his mechanical pow
ers. however. and the List work
lacked the fire and changing hues
that make it so colorful.
Mrs. Howe's stars" was most
persuasively played and was quite
the gem of Mr.. Mersons perform
ance In Bartok's "Sonatina' he
made known a charming work of
quite different caliber from the
Ravel "Sonatina," which followed it,
the former being of delicate and
more varying character than t;%
Ravel.
The program was not staid one
but tended more toward featuring
the modern composers In addition
to Howe, Bartok and Ravel, the two
popular works of Albeniz. "Evoca-
ton" and ''Triana," were played.
The Introductory numbers were
Mozart's "Phantasie" and LISTS
"Phantasie and Fugue on the Theme
BACH"
The recital was heightened by
several encores which the true ap-
probation of Mr.. Merson's gift led
the audience to call for. Generous
applause was also offered after each
number.
A performance of Carmen" was
staged last evening at the Jewish
Community Center by the Reming-
ton Webster Grand Opera Guild.
In spite Of the small space for the
singers to perform in and the alb
sence of the proper setting for the
opera, the presentation was a
spirited one from all concerned.
The accompaniment was furnished
by piano and strings and, under Mr..
Websters direction. gave good sup
port to the performers.
Floreine Hurley was the Carmen
and her portrayal followed the con-
ventional, directed by her intelligent
Installation of it. Her voice has
not quite the depth or power neces-
sary for the role but its timbre is
sweet and pure. She was letter
perfect in her part and never lacked
the animation to put it over. John
Seate sang the role of Don Jose,
scoring a success with his singing Of
the Flower" aria.
The principal singers adhered to
the French text while the chorus
sang in English. The latter were
excellently rehearsed and brought
great vivacity to each scene where
they appeared.
Not being able to hear the entire
production, only slight judgment
could be had of the other partici-
pants. Among these were George
Mattingly as Escamillo, Fred
Wacker as Zunisa, Eleanor Brad
burn as Michaela, Phil Rosenberg
as Morales. Agnes Boggs and Ruth
Thompson I'm the roles Of Mercedes
and Frasquita and John BNlton and
Daniel vefhmeyer as Fl Dancairo
ana Kemendado. Elinor Oliver con.
tributod aaolo dance.