Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1942-04-02
Tanglewood
Four Makes
Local Debut
ShOstakOvich's
Quintet Given
In Program
BY ALICE EVERSMAN.

The Tanglewood String Quartet
made it's local debut last night at the
Library of Congress, where it was
presented by the Elizabeth Sprague
Coolidge Foundation. The members
of this group, ROLAND Tapley and
Malcolm Holmes, violins; George
Humphrey, viola, and Karl zeise,
cello, are also members of the Boston
Symphony Orchestra. which played
here Tuesday night and have taken
part in the important summer pro-
grams in the Berkshires. They were
assisted last night by Jesus Maria
Sanroma, pianist, in the two
numbers presented, Shostakovich's
Quintet for String Quartet and
Piano, Op. ST." and Dvorak's quintet
for the same instruments in "A
Major, Opus 81"
Until the last few years chamber
music occupied the attention of the
foremost Soviet composer very little.
1t was therefore of special interest
to hear his quintet, which was
written last year and which bears the
new stamp imprinted on his inSpira-
ton by his continually developing
talent. The change to be discerned
in his most recent works is growth
in depth, in sentiment and in poetry,
with less of the superficial brilliancy.
1t is a beautiful work, admirably
constructed. highly atmospheric in
its tone painting and infused with
the originality of thought that has
distinguished all his writings In it
he expresses a great deal with the
simplest means. If his conception
of the ensemble is reminiscent of
orchestral effects at times, he again
views the strings in their chief
function Of song. Throughout the
quintet the conversations between
the instruments are continuous
delight and form the basis Of the
composition.
The richness Of the fugue writing
that is introduced in the first move
Vic III Vi
the scherzo, the idyllic beauty of
the intermezzo, with its somewhat
chorale-like ending, and the fanciful
and rhythmic finale provide kalei-
doScopic variety that Is the result,
not of experiment, but Of emotional
expression. Shostakovich is a master
creator of moods which come into
being through slow process by the
gradations of the tonal palette the
instruments afford. This careful
designing of mood and its descrip-
tive quality is the latest essay of the
composer and he shows himself a
powerful artisan in this particular
style.
The Tanglewood artists played 1t
with an understanding that Sprang
from thorough familiarity. AS an
ensemble group, they are excellent,
having full, vibrant tones, fine mu-
steal feeling and a knowledge of
the intricacies Of tonal blending.
Opportunities to judge the indi-
vidual artistry of the players were
frequent, such as the measures in
the intermezzo where Mr.. Tapley's
fine violin tone was heard so effec-
lively
Mr.. Sanroma is by far the finest
ensemble pianist heard here. A
Soloist of distinction, he submerged
himself for as complete a union
with the strings as can be attained
by the piano and succeeded in
bringing out a quality from the
piano that contributed to that of
the other instruments. His splen-
did technique and keen musician
ship gave a brilliant touch to the
whole performance.
The same thoughtful considera-
ton by the artists went into the
playing of the Dvorak quintet. This