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Local Young Women GotHigh PrawoI made one of the happiest decisions of my life the other evening when I decided to accept an invitation to a concert-red tal by two lovely young ladies. Miss Marianne Ackerson and Miss Leah Beth Frey, presented in Tornstrom auditorium. The program was i n terestmg and the presentation was superb.Over the years we have been treated to one tired performance after another by musicians et al who. not being able to make it in tougher circumstances, play the hinterlands where the standards of evaluation are not so stringent. Their mistake! Freshness and vitality and talent are always appreciated as these young women proved Saturday evening.Miss Ackerson played Six Dances in Bulgarian Rhythm by Bartok. a piano piece that I personally detest, in such a spirited way that I was temptedto re-evaluate my former feelings. Her stroiig point being the fine feeling she has for melodic passages, the Beethoven Sonata in E Flat Major, Opus 81 A and the Chopin Scherze in B Flat Major, Opus 31 were joys to listen to. Sometimes Miss Ackerson has a tendency to let pianistic pyrotechnics run away with her but this is solely a matter of presentational control and will be corrected as her fine talents are further perfected. Her entire program left me in awe that Brainerd has helped to produce the dedication and the singleness of purpose that results in such wonderful musical skill as this young lady possesses. It is testimonial, indeed, to Miss Alice Giesler that as Miss Ackerson's former teacher she was able to provide her with such excellent i n centive and instruction.Miss Leah Beth Frey, soprano. who is a native of Crosby. Minnesota, presented the second half of the program. I was unable to stay through the entireperformance because of a previous commitment but the Verdi selections which I heard were more than enough to be impressed with this girl’s vocal talents. She has a clear, strong soprano. A particularly moving lower register and a well-controlled higher register are vocal strongpoints, I noticed that she seems to have a little difficulty with breath control but I wasn't sure if it was Miss Frey or that awful barn in which she was singing that was at fault. I tend to think it might have been the auditorium. Miss Frey has something else going for her that should help in her musical ambitions. She is beautiful' Her rendition of IN ell’Orror Di Notte Oscura was particularly moving and beautiful.It will be interesting to see what happens to these two young women in the next few years. With talent such as theirs one cannot predict anything except success. For those of you who belong to the Lakes Area Music Association and did not take this opportunity to attend some reallv excellent r e cital playing, my condolences. This was. in my estimation, the fin-concert that Brainerd has had in some timeReviewed bv Andre LaMourea
Newspaper Details
Brainerd Daily Dispatch
Brainerd, Minnesota, US
Tue, Apr 07, 1970
Page 2
Full Page
Clipped by
Jack A.
NY, USA 02 Feb 2020
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