Evening star., 1953-06-08
News Of Music
By Alice Eversmon

ican Music Festival in the Ma
tional Gallery of Art and also the
last program of the season closed
with a mammoth ovation to
Richard Bales, conductor of the
National Gallery Orchestra. The
temperature of the audience had
been rising during the perfor-
nance of Bales cantata, "The
Confederacy," to burst into ap-
plause, shouts and some feeble
limitations of the rebel yell, for
the composer conductor who
completed 10 years to the day as
director of the Gallery's music
last night.
The enthusiasm connected with
the first presentation of the can
tata infected the Cantata Choir
Of the Lutheran Church of the
Reformation, the soloists, Peggy
Zabawa, soprano and julie Ia
bawa, baritone, who sang the
Confederate songs, the orchestra
and even the conductor himself.
It was not only stirring ending
for the Gallery season but a
notable conclusion to a week
that has honored the 145th
birthday anniversary of Jefferson
Davis.
Mr.. Bales chose his selections
for variety of mood from among
the popular songs of the period.
Excellently woven together, the
martial background is ever pres
ent in the bugle calls, the rolling
drums and the lively rhythms.
The cantata opens spectacularly
with General Lees Grand
March" by Hermann L. Schrein-
er of Savannah, Georgia, and the
Generals Farewell Order to the
Army of Northern Virginia, stood
out knowingly as recited unac-
companied by Noel Smith. after
a soft fanfare. With a faint
sound of Taps as introduction,
"All Quiet Along the Potomac
Tonight" was sung by Peggy Ia
bawa, followed by the chorus
rousing delivery Of "The Bonnie
Blue Flag" Another effective
chorus was the parody on when
Johnny Comes Marching Home"
which the Confederates sang as
I'VE All Went Down to New
Orleans for Bales" Here, the
snare drum carried by Captain
Caleb Bales Indiana infantry
company and brought for the
performance by Major George
c. Bales, U. S. A. F. played a
prominent part.
"Lorena," a typical love song
of the era, was a solo feature for
julie Zabawa, who sang later as
duet with Mrs. zabaWa, the
touching Somebody's Darling"
The most carefree number was
"The Yellow Rose of Texas" a
favorite of the late President
Roosevelt, sung first by the men
of the chorus, the women joining
later, and the sounds of har-
monica and banjo heard in the
accompaniment. The progress
sion of the Confederates' part in
the war between the States was
epitomized in 1.-The Conquered
Banner" one of the best sung Of
the choral numbers. The can
tata concluded with Emmett's
''Dixie's Land" with quickstep
and Year of Jubilo" as inter-
ludes. The climax was reached
when the men of the chorus
broke into the Rebel Yell" au-
thertically given following the
instructions sent to Mr.. Bales by
DR.. Douglas Southall Freeman.
The first half of the program
was devoted to BergSma'S suite
from the ballet Paul Bunyan"
and Diamonds Music for
Shakespeare Romeo and Juliet"
The latter is a lovely work trans
ferring to a contemporary style
the emotions of the story. It
has neither the warmth or depth
of Tschaikowsky's overture on
the same theme but Diamonds
skilled writing is infused with
delicate imagery, tenderness and
humor. The orchestra played
with finish but put more gusto
into the long and exciting can
tata.