Evening star., 1950-12-29
By Alice Eversmon

Yesterdays meetings of the
Music Teachers National Associa-
ton convention eliminated last
night in a sonata program by Zinc
Francescatti. violinist, and Robert
Casadesus, pianist, in the Library
of Congress. 1t was presented to
the delegates by the Gertrude
Clarke Whittall Foundation and
will be repeated tonight for an
invited audience.
The concert was an experience
for those familiar with the en-
semble playing of these dis
tinguished artists. as we'll as for
those who had never heard them
together. The program was all
Beethoven and one of the illum-
mating features of the perform
ance was the special approach of
the French artists to the German
composer. Above all was the spirit
of the playing, the evident enjoy
ment Of the performers and the
desire to give of their best to so
select an audience. Not often is
that feeling so prominent in a
recital, and last nights concert
will be one of the memorable
events the visitors will have ex-
perienced at this annual get
together.
Before the intermission, Beeth-
ovens Sonata in A Minor, op. 80"
and the Sonata in E fiat Major,
op IL, No. 3" were played, with
the last half of the program de-
voted to the Sonata in c Minor,
op. 80. No. g." It was a new Beeth-
oven that stood forth under the
spell of the performers Gallo
touch and one that seemed more
truly just than other artists have
conceived. Even in the more not
able c Minor Sonata, there was
nothing ponderous or roughly de-
signed but radiance and tender
ness that each artist shared.
The first two sonatas have a
charm and lightness of spirit that
was wonderfully reflected in the
performance. Remarkable rhyth-
mic exactness marked the inter-
pretations but in this framework
was injected a wealth of nuance
that brought out the high points
eloquently. The tremendous vital
ity Of both Mr.. Francescatti and
Mr.. Casadesus, while exuberantly
present, was never heavily en-
ployed and seemed to strike the
proper measure of the passionate
nature of the composer. 1t took
on warmth and grace in the lovely
Adagio cantabile of the C Minor
Sonata and in the second move
ment Of the Sonata in E fat
Major" and was expressed with
fine taste in the gayer sections.
The ensemble the artists have
achieved is as near perfect as can
be found. In every effect, their
intentions were unanimous, while
the immediate response of one to
the other at some special point
was a delight to hear. Mr.. Fran
cescatti's superb tone was never
so eloquent nor the finesse of
Mr.. Casadesus more brilliant. No
wonder that shouts mingled with
the wild applause that recalled
the artists many times. So genial
was their mood that a portion of
the Rondo of the E fiat Major
sonata was repeated and, if pos
sible. more beautifully than at
the first teading.
Chamber Chorus Heard.
For the luncheon given by the
National Federation of Music
Clubs in honor of the Music
Teachers National Association at
the Shoreham Hotel yesterday, a
program of choral music was pro-
vided by the Chamber Chorus of
this city under the direction of
Paul Galloway. The Blue Room of
the Shoreham was an ideal set
ting for the intimate art of this
group. which gave evidence of its
fine training in three difficult
songs by Samuel Barber. Titled
"ReincarnationS" and sub-titled
Mary Hynes,' Anthony o Daly.'
and THE Coolin," they supplied
the variety of style and mood to
test the qualities of the singers to
the fullest.
Singing a cappella, the chorus
showed fine blending of the vocal
timbre and ease in handling the
intricate intervals. TWoa lovely