COLOUR AND CHARM

Evening Post, Volume CVI, Issue 5, 6 July 1928, Page 5

COLOUR AND CHARM

FOLK SONGS OP OTHER LANDS An euthusiastio audience greeted Miss Dawn Assheton and Mr. Laszlo Schwartz j at the first recital of their return visit in the Concert Chamber last night. Their programme was one to please the ear and eye of the most fastidious^ Travels iv many lands have made it possible for this gifted pair to gather saniples of folk songs of all the world, and these Miss Assheton sings with rare interpretive power. She has a fine "oice, and her numbers are greatly enhanced by the splendidly colourful costumes which she wears. These, too, have been found in many odd corners of the globe, and are the correct national costumes for the songs Miss Assheton sings. Versatility is not the least of i this artist's charms as may be seen by her first number, which was "Polonaise" from [ "Mignon." Later came "Boots," a vivacious Hungarian folk song, aud "Irifp of a Girl," a delightfully roguish song of Russian origin. "Postman," a Hungarian art' song, was another entrancing number, arid so was "Hopak" (Russian Dance Song). A most unusual costume was worn for the Oriental group. "Javanese Love Song"; "The River," a Burmese boat song, and Bantock's "Song 01 I the Bells" (Chinese). These three songs were possibly the most charming of all the numbers, Miss Assheton's graceful interpretative ability bringing hearty applause and. admiration from the audienca. "Little Star" (Mexican), the well-known "Laughing Song" (French), and "Intermezzo" with violin obbligato by Mr. Schwartz, completed Miss Assheton's items as set down the programme, but she had to agree to many encores, among them "Waiata Poi," "The Three Chestnuts,': "Cuckoo," and "Why Bo 1 Love You So ?" (Schwartz), all very acceptable. . Mr. Schwartz's violin solos were all much enjoyed. "Gavotte" (Gluck), was his first number, and r. Scotch Pastorale (Saenger), and dance measure by Dit\tersdorf, followed. Several Hungarian traditional tunes, and compositions of his owi,, were played by Mr. Schwartz, who had also to give repeated encores, and a plaintive Hawaiian song came in this category. Mr. Eric Bell was an able accompanist, and also played "Chopin'a "Nocturne in E Flat," "Romance, D Flat" (Sibelius), and" "Poupee Valsantc" I (Poldini), -with nice feeling and delicacy of touch. There should be a large audience for the final and entirely new programme "which Miss Assheton and. Mr. Schwartz will present in the Concert Chamber tomorrow night, for theirs is a unique combination of voice and violin.