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A Review: De La Torre Holds AudienceBY JIM KAVANAUGH Staff Music Criticlloy de la Torre, classical guitarist, opened the 1963-64 Lectures-Concerts Series Tuesday night with a recital which, while not outstanding, was consi-rtently interest* ing and enjoyable.The volume of sound which de la Torre projected seerned ample to this reviewer, who sat about mid-WHy In Colton Chapel. The lamentable acoustics of the hall, however, provided little warmth or resonance to tlio guitarist’s playing.The attention with which the audience followed the recital was evidence of the rapport thut de la Torre maintained throughout the evening.Well Balanced ProgramHis program was a well balanced one, ranging from early renaissance music to works by the modern Brazilian composer, Heitor Villa-Lobos. A detailed account of the works played is unnecessary, but a few highlights are worth mentioning.A Suiterello by Renaissance composer Vincenzo Galileo was notable for its swiftness and light ness withthe theme of the dance repeated echo-like in different voices. The “Variations on a Theme by Mozart” by Fernando Sor, Spanish contemporary of Beethoven, demonstrated the technical capabilities of the instrument and the extend of de la Torre’s virtuosity, which is considerable.The Evocation of Will o’ the Wisp, n transcription by de la Torre of a gypsy song from do Falla’s opera “El Amor Brujo,” was exactly what its title implies — a tribute as much to the evocative powers of the guitarist as the composer.A Chores’’ by Heitor Villa-Lobos was reminiscent of the folk idiom of the composer's native Brazil in its songlike passages. An Etude by the same composer was a fantastic impressionistic tone painting.On the second half of the program was a lightweight but completely delightful Sonatina by F. Moreno Torroba.There were two disappointing aspects of the recital which should be noted. First, that the design ofthe chapel, with dc la Torre ccatedalmost on n level with hi* audience, permitted only n few people to observe his hands while he was performing.Full HallThe other is that while the hall was filled, which is gratifying, only a small percentage of the audience were students.De la Torre was recalled several times at the conclusion of his recital by an appreciative audience. He responded by playing the Spanish Dance Mo. 5 by Granados.A reception for the artist, following the recital, was given in Maruia Hall by the Fine Rrts Society, co-sponsors of the Lecture*-Concerts Series.
Newspaper Details
Easton Lafayette
Easton, Pennsylvania, US
Fri, Oct 11, 1963
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USA 08 Apr 2023
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