Word: soloings
(lookup in dictionary)
(lookup stats)
Dates: during 1940-1949
Sort By: most recent first
(reverse)
Last week, in a richly furnished room overlooking the lights of Washington, the Vice President of the United States danced a little solo to the strains of an accordion and a guitar. Secretary of the Treasury John Snyder and Postmaster General Jesse Donaldson beat time, grinning appreciatively. With the Italian ambassador and the others, Senator Tom Connally and Colonel Louis Johnson, the new Defense Secretary-to-be, caroled My Old Kentucky Home and The Eyes of Texas Are Upon You. Mrs. Perle Mesta, all gotten up in a brown net Dior dress, was entertaining at "Uplands...
...piece avoided the standard amateur musical fault of relying on a lot of individual hamming. The dances, directed by James Venable, were exceptional, especially in view of the miniscule proportions of the Clubhouse stage. Robert Purinton and Roger Butler, the solo dancers, managed to mix extreme competence and gentle burlesque with a delicacy and enthusiasm that made the ballet sections much more than mere time-fillers...
...music and lyrics carried the main weight, however. From overture to final chorus, the songs were the strong point. All types of musical comedy song were well accounted for. "Passport and a Sigh" and "Halcyon Days" are truly fine solo numbers on the popular-song level; "Tomorrow is Manana" and "Anygnay" made exciting production numbers; and the lyrics in "The Best Things in Life Are in 'Life' " and "They Can't Get Along Without Me" made these ensembles the top numbers of the show...
...orchestra, although it expressed its admiration for Stravinsky loudly after each composition, betrayed little inspiration in its playing. In addition, there were several sloppy entrances; solo playing especially was inferior to B.S.O. standards. However, some of this may be attributed to the difficulty of the scores, and Stravinsky's earnest but inexpert conducting...
Although Stravinsky wrote his Capriccio for Piano and Orchestra as a vehicle for solo appearances, the role of the piano is secondary. Much of its part is percussive, in keeping with a general trend of contemporary composers, but not with the real idiom of the instrument. Soulima Stravinsky appeared to handle the part in real razzle-dazzle fashion, although his playing was almost inaudible from my seat...