Page:The New Yorker 0002, 1925-02-28.pdf/20

QUARTER-TONES have arrived, chaperoned Another ballerina of the near past was Angna En- by Carlos Salzedo, E. Robert Schmitz and other ters who exhibited "compositions in dance form." enterprising musicians who sponsor the Inter- With the assistance of the charming Rosalind Fuller, national Referendum Concerts. (There is, by the Miss Enters made a gay evening at the Greenwich way, more initiative than referendum in these func- Village Theatre and delighted an audience which tions.) ran from evening clothes to the nameless garments The quarter-tones were demonstrated on two pi- of Sheridan Square. Miss Enters is not, convention- anos, tuned, if the word may be used, a quarter of a ally speaking, a dancer. She is a musical pantomimist, tone apart. Two compositions of Charles E. Ives and and some of her "compositions, such as a series of a movement from a sonata by Hans Barth were the primitive poses to music by Frescobaldi, are remark- vehicles for the revelation, the players of dissonant able projections of mood. Her art still is in the form- pianos being Sigmund Klein and Mr. Barth. The re- ative stage, but Angna Enters may develop into a new sult sounded like bargain day in a piano ware room. force in the hopelessly formalized regions of the Mr. Ives's output had a whole-tone flavor; and Mr. dance. Barth's was diatonic alla tedesca. Consequently, there was no quarter-tone music, but three compositions Of making of guest conductors there is no end, were played on two divergently adjusted instruments. The Philharmonic Orchestra has played host to The general effect was enhanced by a certain lack of Messrs. Stravinsky and Furtwaengler, The New team-work among the demonstrators, but who shall York Symphony has welcomed Mr. Golschman and say that this was not part of the game? sped him on his way and even now plays under the transient wand of Mr. Walter. The Philadelphia Orchestra has had a tour with Mr. Van Hoogstraten, Gluck's "Alceste," which frequently is mentioned spelling Mr. Stokowski, and Mr. Hadley has been re- as too fine and too difficult for representation at our ceived in Mr. Koussevitzky's Boston home. Even the opera houses, has been revived as a solo ballet by fledgeling State Symphony has brought to us Mr. Gales Maria-Theresa, formerly a member of the Duncan and Mr. Dohnanyi. De guestibus non disputandum ensemble. This rhythmical young woman deserves est, but sometimes it seems to us that there are more encomiums for providing an opportunity to hear some guest conductors than there are conductors. of the splendors of the score, especially as the music was played skillfully and understandingly by the American National Symphony Orchestra conducted by A newcomer whose debut came off without as much Howard Barlow.. This young musician seems to be ado as one might have expected is Mlle, Germaine on the way to a high place among orchestral directors. Tailleferre, the feminine member of "The Six." The "Alceste," however, remained in the improvised first appearance of Mlle. Tailleferre, easily the pret- orchestra pit of Carnegie Hall, for it can no more be tiest importation of recent years, was obscured by the interpreted as a solo dance than a trombone exercise, quarter-tonerei. Her violin sonata suffered from being but possibly Mme. Maria-Theresa will be able one placed first on the program as well as from several day to present the opera according to the plans out- other things, but undoubtedly we shall hear-and, lined in the prospectus which was distributed with the happily, see--more of her, for it is said that her piano programs. The rest of her entertainment was adept concerto will be played here by Alfred Cortot. And and agreeable, except for those who hold that the only Cortot, sound artist that he is, is a brilliantly success- interesting Duncan dancers are Rosetta and Vivian. ful picker of good piano music. Con Brio Lyrics from the Pekinese "T IV. V.

• IS hard to be sure what to think “A Duke of the guaranteed brand

Of our present-day writers, Of the Russian Black Eagle Though pundits are wasting much ink Has come to our awe-stricken land; On the works of the blighters. His demeanor is regal; It seems from the words of the dons, His bow is a Social Event; Of the Menckens and Branders, His importance is vital. That cither our geese are all swans We honor his lofty descent Or our swans are all ganders, And we worship his title Our Tweedles are Dums or are Dees," Devoutly at five o'clock teas," Said the small Pekinese. Said the small Pekinese. VI. "My master, whose zeal to bestow All the world will acknowledge, Is handing ten million or so To a freshwater college, And likewise is pinning On that Temple of Learning, Which greatly will add to its fame And its power of carning. They're giving him seven degrees!" Said the small Pekinese. --Arthur Guiterman name 1 Digitized by Google