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University Daily Kansan Thursday March 31,1960
'Requiem' Performed Capably
By William O. Scott Instructor in English
Every musical setting of a traditional liturgy has its own particular flavor within the enduring variety of religious expression.
Gusseppe Verdi's "Requiem," performed last night by the University Chorus with the Kansas City Philharmonic Orchestra and soloists from the Metropolitan Opera, is both grandiose and plaintive. A capable interpretation showed these qualities at their fullest.
The individual qualities of any requiem are mainly defined by the composer's treatment of the "Dies irae." After a "Requiem and Kyrie" which is in turn appropriately solemn and vigorous, Verdi presents us-with a typical 19th-century concept of God's wrath.
"Ira" is Violent
Verdi's "ira" is violent and impressive; we actually hear those souls sliding down the chromatic scale into hell. And when the damned tremble before the approach of their judge,
so does the music. Then the trumpets sound through the sulpulches, but alas for the Philharmonic, not in unison. The bass sternly announces death. The fury is unrestrained but brief.
Yet thereafter the "Dies irae" is a specimen of that latter-day theology that treats fire-and-brimstone doctrines gingerly. Although the menacing theme of God's wrath returns sporadically, the repeated pleas for mercy optimistically rebuff vengeance. In this religion, hope and supplication overbear fear, and musically, at least, the imbalance is unfortunate. Yet this section gave us some fine work by Miss Lipton and a well-dramatized cry of anguish, "Salva me!" The tenor and bass also pleaded movingly.
Quartet Has Good Voices
The Offertory Quartet is well structured by the succession of leading voices — the bass imploring deliverance of the dead, the soprano announcing St. Michael, the tenor
presenting the offering, and the soprano praying (offkey) for eternal life. The "Sanctus" would better have glorified God if the chorus, which was otherwise outstanding, had been more precise in their articulation. The unison of the "Agnus dei" is forceful; one wishes for more such powerful simplicity. Simplicity is most lacking in the "Libera me," which begins well in recitative but is spoiled by ambitious polyphony.
But let Verdi's faults rest in peace. We can be proud of our chorus and grateful to the Kansas City Philharmonic and the soloists for a worthwhile performance.
That ghastly crew of ghouls—the literary historians—are bracing themselves for their newest assault. —J. Frank Brick in an article on the 50th anniversary of Twain's death.
"Their Brothers' Keepers," a book written by Clifford S. Griffin, assistant professor of history, has been published by the Rutgers University Press.
Griffin Writes On Moral Stewardship
Subtitled, "Moral Stewardship in the United States, 1800-1865," the book traces the movement in America of "good" men making "bad" men behave.
Wichita Artist's Exhibit Opens Here
The art display of Mr. Rex Hall, head of the Wichita Southeast High School art department, is on exhibit at the Museum of Art.
Mr. Hall's work has been shown in six Midwest states. In 1957 one of his paintings was awarded the Purchase Award at the Wichita Art Museum. At that time he also won a first prize for drawing. The exhibit will be on display through April 10.
Coming MARTIN DENNY
April 12
8:00
Hoch
Auditorium
$1.50 per person
Sell it with a Kansan Classified Ad
Exotic Foods Set For Club Banquet
Delectable foods of different nations of the world will be featured at the annual International Banquet to be held April 10 at 6 p.m. in the Kansas Union Ballroom.
The banquet is sponsored by the International Club. In past years as many as 300 students, faculty members and Lawrence townspeople have attended.
Tickets are now on sale at the Kansas Union information counter and at the International Club office in the Kansas Union. Tickets for International Club members are $1.25. All others must pay $2.00.
A tone-deaf music teacher is a joke and a color-blind art critic an absurdity, but humorless writers on humor are common.-Richard Hanser.
Official Bulletin
Items for the Official Bulletin must be brought to the public relations office. 222 Strong, before 9:30 a.m. on the day of publication. Do not bring Bulletin to the Only Karnam Notices should include name, place, date, and time of function.
TODAY
Mathematics Colloquium, 4:15 p.m., 103 Strong. (Coffee, 3:50 p.m., 117 Strong). Mean Value Theorems for Matrix Methods. (Gösselberg, for the University of Giessen, Germany)
Der Deutsche Verein trift am Donnerslag, den 31 Maerz, um 5 Uhr im Zimmer zur Krankheit der Beteiligung der Künstgeschichte zu hoeren. Dr. Berger wird ueber das Bauhaus auf deutschen sphechen und Lichtbildern zeichen. Alle Anlagen werden für Evangelische Prayer, 1:30 p.m.
Episcopal Evening Prayer. 9:30 p.m.
Danforth Chapel.
FRIDAY
Newman Club Daily Mass. 6:30 a.m.
St. John's Church.
Episcopal Morning Prayer, 6:45 a.m.
Communion, 7:00 a.m. Breakfast follows
Episcopal Morning Prayer, 6:45 a.m.
Communion, 7:00 a.m. Breakfast follows.
Lutheran Hall Great Assn. Coffee Hour,
3:15 p.m. 1115 Tennessee. Discussion
and refreshments.
Inter Varsity Christian Fellowship,
Inter 29 Miss. Bible study and re-
freshments.
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