Books › Musical Courier 1925-12-17: Vol 91 Iss 25, 1925 › scan 18
Scan 18
Musical Courier 1925-12-17: Vol 91 Iss 25, 1925
46 lines. Read by computer on 29 September 2026, twice; the two readings disagreed in places. Printed page 19. See the scan on archive.org.
1BRETON
2"Again Triumphs"
4Telegram
6Ruth Breton Plays Artistically.
8A successful debutante of last season, Mme. Ruth Breton, returned to the local concert field yesterday afternoon, giving a recital of violin music in Aeolian Hall. Mme. Breton opened proceedings classically with a Corelli sonata in C. Then she turned her attention to the "Poeme" of Chausson, in which such master fiddlers as Eugene Ysaye and Jacques Thibaud have shone memorably. one of two readings
9A successful debutante of last season, Mme. Ruth Breton, returned to the local concert field yesterday afternoon, giving a recital of violin music in Aeolian Hall. Mme. Breton opened proceedings classically with a Corelli sonata in C. Then she turned her attention to the "Poeme" of Chausson, in which such master fiddlers as Eugene Ysaÿe and Jacques Thibaud have shone memorably. one of two readings
11This piece inevitably loses a good deal when a piano, instead of an orchestra, collaborates with the solo violin, but on this occasion the loss was minimized by the excellence with which Walter Golde played the piano, providing an accompaniment rich in finely graduated coloring. Mme. Breton's treatment of the violin part was conspicuous for skill in phrasing, a lively sense of climax, and a discreet management of nuance.
13Her bowing is marked by freedom and elasticity, her tone is of generous size and fine quality, and she plays with the poise and assurance of a mature artist. There are, further, a dignity and a repose about her playing which come as a welcome relief after so much aggressiveness and unrest masquerading as "temperament" or "inspiration."
15An interesting feature of her program was a group of Spaniards, or at least about Spain. Virgilio Ranzato, of the "Serenata Andalusa," happens to be a Venetian, but his serenade, of course, treats of Southern Spain, and the other pieces in the group were by two distinguished Spanish violinists, one living, one dead—respectively, Joan Manen and Pablo de Sarasate. Mme. Breton played this group with admirable technic and much charm.
17Pitts Sanborn
19From Other Reviews of Same Recital:
21Miss Ruth Breton, violinist, made her second public appearance in New York yesterday afternoon. A season ago, on the occasion of her debut, she made evident the warmth and sensitiveness of her temperament and the soundness of her preparation in point of technic and musical knowledge. Yesterday's recital was emphatic of the same qualities…. Miss Breton has made an enviable impression….
23Sarasate's "Habanera" was one of the compositions in which the performer was enabled to communicate her virtuoso spirit and fire. She not only played the notes; she sounded them with the brilliancy and elan characteristic of the violinist-composer. She has unmistakable individuality, sincerity. (Olin Downes, N. Y. Times, December 11, 1925).
25The interpretation (of the Chausson "Poeme") was not evidently the result of anxious coaching. There was more of the freedom of the player's fancy in it than that. It sounded as if it were delivered pretty much in Miss Breton's own way, and it was a good way. It was musical, finely planned…. There was vitality in the performance (of the Corelli sonata). Much of this was due not only to the violinist's incisive rhythm, but also to the soundness of her finger work in both intonation and tone formation…. It is a pleasure to observe the progress of this young artist. (W. J. Henderson, N. Y. Sun, December 11, 1925).
27Herald Tribune
29Ruth Breton Shows Rare Violin Talent In 2d Recital Here
31Young Louisville Player Again Triumphs in Well Chosen and Enjoyable Program at Aeolian Hall
33Ruth Breton, a young violinist from Louisville who had seemed to deserve the title of the most promising violinistic debutante brought here by the music season of 1924-25, gave her second New York recital yesterday afternoon at Aeolian Hall, and provided a performance that led reviewers to linger long after the points in the program when they are wont to flee. For Miss Breton, even more than last season, seemed a musician of distinctly unusual talent showing promise of becoming another of those violinists of the brand that has made Professor Leopold Auer famous.
35One asset of the recital was a well chosen, concise and unphrased program, beginning with a sonata in C by Corelli, which has had very few, if any, hearings here. Chausson's "Poeme," Spanish group, and a closing one of numbers by Lili Boulanger, Albert Spalding and Hubay. Walter Golde, who had officiated at Miss Breton's debut here in October, 1924, again provided excellent pianistic cooperation.
37A tone of notable quality, technical skill of dextrous neatness and ample spirit and expressive ability marked a well-balanced, well-phrased performance. While not perfect as yet, there seemed two or three points where the quality went slightly astray. Miss Breton's tone was one to be heard at length with unusual enjoyment, full, mellow, clear and warm, and holding its own in double stops and difficult passages where many good violinistic tones are wont to suffer drought. She could play with speed and energy without the not unfamiliar telltale scrape, and toss off display passages with calm and apparent ease, but ample spirit in the result.
39The Spanish numbers, a serenade by Virgilio Ranzato (an Italian, but the title was Spanish), "Chanson," by Joan Manen, and two Sarasate pieces, brought out, it seemed, some of Miss Breton's best work, richness of tone and remarkable technique, while her calm, unaffected manner on the stage was another asset of a significant recital.
41F. D. P.
43CONCERT MANAGEMENT ARTHUR JUDSON
44Steinway Hall, New York
45Packard Building, Philadelphia
The computer misreads some letters and numbers. Where a name matters to you, read the scan.