Evening star., 1951-05-21
BY Alice Eversmon

The talent and style Of COM
|posers Of various countries have
been made familiar to the local
public in programs devoted to
their works over the years. It re-
manned for Richard Bales. con-
|ductor Of the National Gallery
Orchestra, to introduce music by
composers now flourishing in
South Africa in a concert last
night In the National Gallery of
Art. Although only one Of the men
whose compositions were played
was born in that country, all have
been active in the music life there
for q long time and the influence
of their environment is reflected
in the writings.
The first number was 1.-THE
White Fan" by Frederick Hart
mann. The Viennese born COM
poser was professor Of orchestral
theory and conductor Of the
Chamber Orchestra in Vienna be-
fore accepting the appointment to
head the music department of
Rhodes University College. Al
though bearing the influence of
Richard Strauss In its opulence
and skillful distribution among
the instruments, his orchestra
style is buoyant and colorful. 1.-THE
White Fan" is romantic in con-
tent, the center songful passages
inclosed by dramatic movements.
It's melodies soar, and throughout
there is a preference for the
strings higher registers that gives
the music wings.
No greater contrast could be Of
fered than that of Stefans Groves
"Elegie for String Orchestra" and
William Joseph Pickerill's Eve
ming on the Weld" The "Elegie"
was the most original number on
the program and also one Of the
most original Of elegies. It is grim,
despairing, almost macabre, with
no tender note anywhere. viclas
and double -baSses sound the first
sombre lament and the strange, !,
inconsolable atmosphere is fur
thered by harsh Interviewing Of
harmonies and the use of unusual
chords.
The descriptiveness of DR.. Pick-
erill's Evening on the Weld" Is
set forth with great charm and a
pleasant toned smoothness of
writing.
"The Adventures of Babar," by
Erik Chisholm, completed the
program. "The Adventures" con-
Germ an elephant named Babar
and his mate. Celeste. There is a
wedding, with the jungle animals
as guests. a trip in a balloon, a
stint in a circus. and many other
things. The story was read by Jo-
seph Collins before each section
was played.
Phillips Gallery Program.
In the afternoon. in the Phil
lips Gallery. George Steiner, vio-
linist, and George Wago, violist,
gave delightful program for
these instruments in duet form
without piano accompaniment. It's
peak was reached in Mozart's
Duo II. z. 424," a work in four
movements that exploits the pos
sibilities and the beauty of the In
struments' contrasting tones toI
the fullest. The composer took as
much cognizance of the viola as
of the violin. giving to the former
an equal Importance in the scheme
of his composition.
The artists achieved felicitousI
blending Of quality in the Andante
Cantabile especially. and the char
acter Of their technical powers was
well illustrated in the delivery oil
the Andante con Variazioni. Full
Of Mozart charm and ingenuity
as is the Duo" it has also a dig
nifty of concept that makes it a
notable ensemble number.
The Prelude, Passacaglia and
Fugue." by the English composer.
Gordon Jacob, which opened the
program, was another example Of
special skill in the weaving to-
gether of the two types of string