Evening star., 1942-04-21
OrganGuild
Opens Spring
Festival
Robert Ruckman,
Hebrew Mixed
Quartet Are Heard
By ALICE EvERsMAN.

The local chapter of the American
Guild OF Organists began its spring
festival last night with q recital by
worth Methodist Church. In the
Washington Chapel Of Latter Day
Saints. Sharing half Of the program
with Mr.. Ruckman was the mixed
quartet OF the Washington Hebrew
Congre9ation. which sang liturgical
numbers from the Temple service
under the direction, and 70 the or
ran accompaniment. Of Lewis At
water.
Mr. Ruckmanis choice OF numbers
Ably demonstrated his special gift
for delicate registration and for
poetic nuance, the exquisite "Air'
from Handel's Water Music" in
the arrangement by Mckinley. and
the Allegro Cantabile" from VIZ
doris fifth Symphony" being the
high points Of his performance In
this respect. The ethereal quality
of tone which he drew from the
organ and the subtle phrasing OF
the two lyrical bits were finely con-
ceived.
The organ suite which Mckinley
has made from Handel's music offers
ample display OF dynamic range and
tonai variety. Mr. Ruckman's taste
IN these matters Is keen, and with
his faciie manual and pedal dex-
terity and q particular feeling for
expressive tonal eoloring, he was
able TO make this work an interest
ing play OF contrasts. KArg- -Elert's
'Texend OF the Mountain" was of
much the same character without
the clarity Of form or idea Of the
other works.
The group Of organ numbers ended
with verrees' chorale improvisation.
20 for O Closer Walk With God" q
work of more dramatic caliber.
From his playing of this work,
together with his musical apprecia-
ton OF the poetic content OF the
others. Mr.. Ruckman could aspire TO
still greater dramatic treatment
OF the organ. His touch is smooth
and firm and his technique adequate
to all demands 80 that, giving rein
10 his imaginative powers, he could
achieve the breadth and depth OF
musical expression which his in
strument permits. but which his
short program did not fully encom-
pass.
Occasions TO hear the fine music
OF the Hebrew Temple service In
concert form are rare, so that Mr..
Atwater's contribution to the fes-
tivai was Of unique value. The
members Of the quartet, Florence
Stndell, soprano; Mabel Flehr, con-
trslto; George Myers. tenor, and
john Marville, bass, are skilled ex-
ecitants OF the dificult music and
gave q moving and polished per-
formance. Their voices blend well
and the individual artistry Of the
singers fits together to form n well
rounded whole.
To assist In an understanding of
the text, translations OF the words
were given out together with the
numbers. which were not on the
printed program, The noble music,
full Of deep religious feeling, con-
sisted OF Spicker's "Sh'ma Yisroel"
and mi Chomocho,'' Sparger-
Dworzan's "V'Shoru," Starks DAY
OF God" Freeds "Ke'dusha," Zil-
berts' Let the Words of My Mouth"
Jacobs mi Chomocho' and Dunk
ley's "Adon Olom."
Three numbers for organ played
by Mr.. Atwater divided the songs
and strengthened the particular re-
lgious character of this portion of
the program. Two works by Bloch,
"Jewish Melody" and Prayer" writ
ten In the simple yet powerful idiom
of this famous composer, formed
contrast with the less effective IN
teriude on q Traditional Melody" by
Edward Stark Mr.. Atwater's pres
entation was authoritative In style
and warmed with emotional express
sion.
The festival which is the third
sponsored by the guild, win be con-
tinued tomorrow with a program by
Jean Slater Apple, organist OF
Western Presbyterian Church, and
on Friday with a recital by c..
Grifith Bratt. organist of st. Johns
Lutheran Church, Baltimore. and
conclude with the appearance of
Virgil Fox at the Washington Ca
thedral on Wednesday. April %.