Evening star., 1945-09-24
BY ALICE EVERSMAN.

| Inc SonAtd program gwen last
night by Emanuel Vardi, violist, of
the Navy Band, and Capt. Arthur
Loesser, U. s. A.. pianist, was of
such excellence as to be one of
the outstanding events of the Ma
tional Gallery Of Art series. The
two artists not only have devel-
oped a fine ensemble but individ-
ually are personalities Of their in
struments. To- technical profici-
ency OF a high order, they bring
a verve to their playing that is Of
glowing character combining 1t with
intellectual keenness and artistic
sincerity.
The lovely Sonata in F minor,
op. l29, No. l" which Brahms wrote
for clarinet and piano. gave the
artists full scope for play of their
interpretive powers. Mr.. Vardi's
richly expressive tone achieves a
warmth beyond that possible in the
clarinet and its resonant volumn
lent itself to the many variety of
shadings he employed. This work
OF Brahms mature years has a
mellow tint to its deep sentiment
changing in mood from quiet mel
ancholy and simple gayety to pass
ionate warmth. Its every infection
was caught and developed in the
wealth of nuances the artists jointly
commanded.
Not often does Beethoven's
"Pathetique" sonata come into the
hands Of such an understanding in
terpreter as Captain Loesser. He
Is a master of dynamics and form
and his presentation had a rare
unity from start to finish Tech
nically brilliant and sensing gra-
dations of effect with fine exact
itude. he has also temperament
that he unleashes at will for stir
ring climaxes. The smoothness Of
his unfolding of the work was
absorbing and in every respect his
performance was a most rewarding
one.
A work by Hindemith is still some
thing of an event and Mr. Vardi's
playing of the unaccompanied
Sonata, op IL. No S" was a high
spot of the program Simpler in
design than some of the composers
later works, 1t is also an admirable
vehicle for a full disclosure of the
viola's possibilities. Hindemith give
1t many lyric passages that astound
for their familiarity, as coming from
such modernist, and dazzling
measures of technical dif1iculties
expertly handled. Mr. Vardi's per-
formance was exceptional for its
purity of intonation, mechanical
skill and artistic finish. He is a
brilliant artist and a splendid propo-
gandist for his instrument.
Mendelssohn's Sonata No. 2" con-
cluded the program and here again
the refined and colorful teamwork
was prominent. A genuine enthusi-
asm was in the prolonged applause
given the two musicians after each
number.
Corpl. Zapf Gives Program.
In the Phillips Gallery yesterday
afternoon Corpl. Karl Zapf returned
for piano program in which he was
assisted by Maurice Bonney, Y &c,
U. S. NJ r., violinist, who was ac-
companied by Jack Gardasky, S l/c,
U. s. N. r.
Corpl Zapf played groups devoted
to work of the older masters, to
those of Latin America and France
and to contemporary American
composers. A pianist of powerful
sorority, he also is able to vary it
with well-conceived shadings for
colorful effect. The clarity Of his
tone contributes a special sparkle
to technical passages and his f1uency
gave pleasure by its security. He
was warmly acclaimed throughout
his taxing and interesting program
The three numbers played by Mr.
Bonney were of the unhackneyed va
riety and disclosed a violinist of pro-
nounced musical feeling. Mr.. Bon
ney' Stona, while not large, has an
intriguing lilt to it which gave a