Evening star., 1949-03-07
By EIeno de Soyn

Don COSSdCk CQOTuS Ill tIlc PlCo-
entation of Russian Orthodox re-
ligious chants. as demonstrated
again yesterday afternoon in Con-
stitution Hall. Nineteen years
passed since the chorus first
visited here and many more since
the Cossacks left their native
land. Time took its toll and re-
duced the original group of 40
men to Is. Other changes were
possibly necessary, but new pro-
fessional blood only helped to raise
the standards of the, group and
added more sorority to its sing
ing.
No one can give a better idea
of the centuries-old traditions in
the execution of Russian church
music and no one understands
better to give the illusion OF two
choirs, that of men and boys, as
Serge Jaroff, the founder and di-
rector. Through the use of the
falsetto one group initiated the
singing of the boys, penetrating
softly the full throated singing OF
the other in Kastalsky's "Credo." "
while the thinner timbre was given
full play in Tschaikowsky's
Blessed Art Thou. o Lord" which
followed. This, Kedroff's "The
Lords Prayer" and Lord Have
Mercy Upon Us, without which
the Cossack's program is never
complete, were among the most
stirring selections presented.
Whereas the use of the falsetto
is in order in religious songs, too
much of it in others was not al
ways desirable. Mr.. Jarof' senti-
mentalizing of the opening strains
of Tschaikowsky's piano concerto,
in the "Recollections of Tschai-
kowsky" arranged by Shvedoff,
seemed out of place. Other themes
used in this were: "Marche Slave" ="
"Andante Cantabile," from the
String Quartet op. H.: "Andante
Cantabile" from Symphony No. S"
and the theme of the old Russian
national anthem, composed by
Lvov and borrowed by Tschaikow-
sky for his "Marche Slave" Nei-
ther the arrangement nor the un-
derlying idea, expressed in words,
pay much tribute to TschaikoWsky
but rather reflect the present
standards of Soviet music making.
Musically the arrangement is
sketchy and on a rather low level,
considering the possibilities con-
tanned in the themes. Another as
signment kept the writer from
hearing some Of the folk songs, in
which the chorus excells, and see
ing its famous dancers.
George Walker Plays at Phillips.
George Walker, Negro pianist,
who made his appearance yester-
day afternoon in the Phillips Gal
lery is unusually accomplished. A
native of this city. Mr.. Walker
began his musical studies at the
Howard University. continued at
the Oberlin Conservatory and
later under Serkin at the Curtis
Institute and Casadesus in Paris,
His playing reflects his teachers
as we'll as his own talent.
Most notable of the selections
heard was his performance OF
Brahms Sonata in F minor
op. S." which places formidable
demands technically and interpre-
tatively upon the performer. The
artist has a brilliant facility
power and a singing touch. Chop
ms "Andante Spianato ct Polo
naise," emphasized the latter. as
did Debussy's preludes: La Sere-
made Interrompue" and La
Puerta del Vino" while Brahms
showed him as a technician and
interpreter of the first order. The
program listed four of Mr.. Walk
er's own compositions: prelude,
"Intermezzo," Song" and Ca
price"
Harth Performs at Gallery.
A young violinist. Sidney Harth
with personality and talent. made
his debut in the National Gallery
last night. The purity and beauty
of his tone lent themselves admir-
ably to such numbers as Mozart S
Concerto No. 5 in A Major" FL