Evening star., 1947-02-11
Violinist Makes Local Debut;
Large Audience Hears Romberg
By Alice Eyersmon

Ralph Hollander began his violin
recital in the Phillips Gallery last
night with charming Sonata by
Francesca Geminiani, edited and
arranged by Adolfo Betti. The
artist, who made his local debut in
this appearance. apologized for play
ing the old masters work from
music, saying he had received 1t only
10 days ago. Mr.. Betti discovered
the Sonata, which Is the first Of
opus No. /, in italy and arranged 1t
for its first performance by his
former pupil. Mr.. Hollander.
It has all the grace OF line and
charm of phrase that belongs to
a period when notable Wolinists
were setting the foundation for the
exposition of the finest qualities Of
the instrument. It is written in
short measures, each complete in the
presentation Of a particular effect
to be attained on the violin. While
a lack of depth gives an overtone
of superficiality to the work, 1t has
that huency Of form and. variety
in style that served other masters
for many years as models for violin
writing.
Mr.. HolIander played 1t excel
lently, giving it color through fine
sense of contrast and with notable
display of musicianship. His careful
performance and purity Of tone was
not duplicated, however, in the
Mozart Concerto in D, No. z, K.
|271a" which followed. Mozart s
authorship of this concerto is still
in doubt. the Rondo being the most
marked with his stamp. The OPEN
ing Allegro and the subsequent An
dante have less distinguishing fea-
lures, the former especially SEEM
ing to be from another pen.
The cadenzas were by Mr.. Hol-
lander and in keeping with the style
of the original. The artist was not
at his best in this performance,
for his tone was not true In pitch
nor as mellow as in the Gemiantant.
He found himself again in the Bach
unaccompanied "Partita in D
minor" the five dance movements OF
which he played with registering
effect. Well equipped technically
he Is more concerned with musical
Interpretation and showed himself q
serious and thoughtful artist OF ripe
experience.
The three numbers by the classic
lists were followed by the first per-
formance Of Johan Frances suite, j"
of which the Lullaby" Is an hon1-
age to Erik Satie. Mr.. Franco Is
one of the coterie Of young Dutch
composers who were trained by
william Piper. He Is now an
American citizen. Bloch's "Nigun"
and the Paganini-Kreisler La
Campanella" concluded the program
In which Mr.. Hollander was accom-
panied by Ada Kopitz.
Romberg Draws Crowd.
In Constitution Hall, Sigmund
Romberg drew a large audience for
another program featuring mainly
the works of this popular composer.
He had with him, as usual, an
orchestra of some so men and Tor
soloists three attractive young wom-
en-, Gail Manners, Nita Carol and
Leonne Hall, and Gene Marvey,
tenor. Miss Hall is newcomer to
the group and quite lived UP to the
Mr.. Romber's assertion, when he
introduced her, that he could al
ways pick a good singer when he
saw one"
The program followed the regular
Romberg pattern of excerpts from
his operettas, as well as those by
Kalman, Berlin, Lehar, Kern, Rod
gers and Gershwin. Medleys were
played by the orchestra and the
singers, in solos and duets, pre-
sented many Of the favorite songs.
There was also the moment when
Mr.. Romberg turned over the baton
to Frank Cork and took his place
at the piano for q musical survey