Evening star., 1946-06-24

It was more like former years
1T the Water Gate last night as
the National symphony entered
It's second week of concerts,
for the air was pa1my and stars
&,re visible in the clear sky. The
sleasant atmosphere had its ef-
feet on the musicians, who had
played well in the damp and cold
of last week, but blossomed out into
their accustomed vigor under the
more agreeable conditions. Guest
conductor of the program was
Richard Bales, who will be in charge
for two more concerts, and the
soloist was Paul Mekovsky, violinist.
Coming with little advance her
aiding, Mr.. Makovsky proved to be
one of those pleasant surprises not
often experienced He is an artist
of splendid endowment, with all
the mechanics for his art well
worked out. But more distinctive
than these ordinary requisites OF
virtuosity was his free, unconflned
manner of playing and the tenn
peramental elan that directed It.
The familiar Mendelssohn concerto
was his choice, and his performance
of it was finished to a degree. His
tone is large and rich enough In
timbre to be heard above the or
chestra at all times, and this OF
itself gave greater completeness
to the concerto for many passages
usually lost in the orchestral sound
were heard clearly.
The suavity of his phrasing was
Of an undulating quality through
the entire first movement, with
climaxes built up with fine under
standing. More breadth in the An
dante would have given the nat
ural poetic warmth of his tone
greater latitude, but even without
this it registered as one OF the finest
among the violinists of today. The
finale had a fiery sparkle, and its
rapid passage work was played with
almost a nonchalant ease, but with
great clarity. The audiences ap-
plause after each movement and
the several recalls at the concerto's
ending indicated the artists un-
qualified success.
In his directing of the orchestral
numbers Mr.. Bales disclosed fresh
ness of viewpoint that gave new
life to familiar works. This young
conductor has grown in musical
stature each year and his readings
last night showed not only keen
analysis, but responsiveness to
character and sentiment of very
genuine kind. He has at command
a variety of nuance which he uses
with discretion, but which often give
: a new fair to a phrase and in his
:. construction of work there is a
;, fine sense of proportions.
The Overture to Rossini's Semi
ramide" was a good example of his
intelligent approach for its we'll
known melodies attained more dig
nifty and variety as he understood
them. In the attractive "Guaracha'
from Gould's Latin American SYM
phonetic" and in the "Intermezzo'
from Granados' "Goyescas," the
form was clearly defined in the spir-
tied performance and his combina-
ton of enthusiasm and musician
ship was reflected in the orchestra s
excellent playing of Moussorgsky S
"A Night on Bald Mountain, u
Strauss Vienna Life" and Enescos
"Roumanian Rhapsody No. l."
Due to shortage of programs
Mr.. Bales announced each number
from the stage. This is a procedure
that could be adopted for all con-
certs at the Water Gate for the
lighting does not permit consulting
the programs once the concert has
begun. Should J. E. Mutch, the
orchestra's manager, whose resonant