Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1945-02-26
BY ALICE EyERsMAN.

Claudio Arrau, who has appeared
here several times on other pro-
grams, gave his first piano recital
IN this city yesterday afternoon
and Immediately took his place
among the outstanding opponents
of the keyboard who have been pre-
scented by the Dorsey Bureau. A
native of Chile, Mr.. Arrau has at
tracted attention in this country
and abroad by the quality of his
superior gifts and the large audi
ence in Constitution Hall Endorsed
his fame by cordial reception.
Though he followed a standard
pattern in planning his program,
his Interpretation of it touched it
off with new quality Mr. Arrau' s
playing is descriptive in character
and to this end he brings unusual
vision and appreciation. Combined
with liquid touch that can sparkle
In brilliant passages where his deft,
crystalline clear technique is called
into play. he can revivify the IA
miliar masterpieces with new mean
ing.
This was completely demon
strated in the three numbers that
formed the first part of his pro-
gram; Mozart's "Rondo in A
minor, Beethoven's Sonata in E
fiat major, op. 81, No. 81 and Schu-
mann's Carnival" Foremost was
his grasp of the spirit of these
compositions which captured the
carefree joyousness of the sonata
and gave infinite variety to the
many sections of the Carnival"
Both these works were embellished
with a wealth of detail expressed
in changing tonal hues and deli
cately accentuated dynamics.
1t is in the adjustment of effects
to the full and minute description
of the musical idea that Mr.. Arrau
excels. He is not a dramatic player
in the sense of great volume and
large-scale climaXes but, rather, a
painter who uses rich color and the
utmost clarity of outline. Thus in
these works where the average vir-
tuoso seeks for broad effects, he
joined the small ones together with
each phrase revealing fresh and
fascinating interest until they
merged into a beautifully con-
structed whole.
The concluding numbers were
chosen from the Spanish and
French composers and included
Granados' La maya y ell ruisenor,"
"El Puerto" from Albeniz' Iberia"
Debussy's "Poissons dor" Ravels
"Alborada del Gracioso" and the
Caprice Italien" from Poulenc's
suite "Napoli." In rhythmic fire,
sparkling execution and delicacy of
design, Mr.. Arrau again exhibited
his extraordinary facility and his
powers of musical narration which
were received with enthusiastic ap-
probation by his listeners.
Fox Gives Organ Recital.
Staff Sergt. Virgil Fox gave the
second of his announced organ re-
citals yesterday afternoon in the
National City Christian Church in
which he had the assistance of
Margaret Dittmar, soprano, of New
York The concert was for the
benefit of the Army Air Forces Aid
Society and was attended by large
crowd that filled the church.
To his excellent musicianship and
mastery technique, Sergt. Fox adds
a youthful abandon that makes him
unique among organists. This par
ticular attribute sensitizes his musi-
cal vision and, with his sound must
cal feeling, produces style of play
ing that outranks that of other
artists of the instrument. 1t is an
experience to hear this gifted viz
tuoso of the organ for its full re-
sources are revealed in all their
magniflcence.
Matching finger technique with
an extraordinary pedal dexterity, he
also produces tone that has depth
and flrmness. De Monies Can
IONA" and Boyce's aye Sweet Re-
treat" were mediums for full ap-
probation of the infections he is