New Pittsburgh Courier from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania • Page 4

PAGE 4, THE COURIER, MAY 10, 1975 ARTIST'S CIRCLE Verdi's 'Requiem' was never like this By EARL CALLOWAY Critics on the East Coast heralded the performance of The Chicago Symphony's presentation of Verdi's "Requiem" as one of the best in many seasons. Under the direction of Sir. Georg Solti, musical director of the Chicago Smyphony and Symphony Chorus with soloists soprano Leontyne Price, mezzosoprano Yvonne Minton, tenor Luciano Pavarotti and bass Gwynee Howell, the performance on Wednesday, April 30 became an historic artistic event in the grand tradition of music that happpens at Carnegie Hall. In Chicago before the orchestra left for its Eastern Spring tour, the "Requiem" at Orchestra Hall eclipsed any other artistic performance heard in the last ten years. The audience who witnessed this overwhelming performance sprang to its feet and enthusiastically applauded the Symphony and soloists for more than twenty minutes.

Never before have we heard such beautiful singing from such a group as large as the Symphony Chorus under the direction of Margaret Hillis. The singers surpassed themselves providing clearcut articulation, power and brilliance. The chorus was impeccable, the dynamic shading was judicious and their singing was filled with exuberance. Ms. Price most assuredly, the greatest artistic presence in the operatic and concert stage of the world, sang with complete involvement and understanding, she was unshakable in her security.

The projected vocal colors that may not have always been beautiful were feats of striking brilliance. There were times when her limpid tones with artful phrasing soared above the Symphony Chorus and Orchestra penetrating with intensity throughout the hall. And when decending into her deep lower register she produced a richly textured velvet quality. Ms. Minton was remarkable for her instrumental purity and excitement.

There was also a thrilling dramatic quality about her melodic pulsation. Bass soloist Gwynne Howell, demonstrated technical skills that enabled him to perform accented musical quality projecting a particular kind of magic. For a bass he had a rich flexible voice with plenty of opulence. Tenor Pararotti, a truly beautiful individual with a gorgeous voice and dramatic was not as effective as he could have been in singing the Verdi Sir Solti in the prelude to the Requiem" Kyrie used a soft simmering tone with a fervid intensity that created an atmosphere mystery and fear. Within the context of Verdi's score the composer addresses himself to death, mercy and judgement with prolific orchestral tone painting.

The stroke of that terrible hour of judgement was powerful and effective in the percussions. There was evidenced a mastery of musical imagination and the orchestra was exceptional. It was comprehensive music with wonderful romantic impetuosity that communicated to the hearer the great sensitive excitement of the It was music that possessed an heavently opulence and was transferred by Sir Solti and the Chicago Symphony in a solidarity of human terms. This week ceremonies citing the Chicago Defender as an historic site in journalism were held in the Court Yard of the Newspaper office in Chicago. William Small, senior vice president, news, CBS, and president of the Society of Professional Journalists, Sigma Delta Chi, the international organization that selected the Defender for this honor will officiate during the ceremony.

Present on this occasion were more than 100 Midwest and national leaders in journalism, politics, business and other professions including Chicago Mayor Richard Daley, George Dunne, president of the Cook County Board of Commissioners, and Congressman Ralph Metcalfe. In an early edition of the Chicago Defender dated April 8, 1905 the headline story paid a tribute to Mr. D.H. Weir, president of the Choral Study Club. In that same issue recognition to the talented pupils of James Johnson were given, naming James Johnson and Ms.

St. Clair White as stars. Samuel D. Howard, who had performed a recital was named a worthy young artist. From this early edition of the Chicago Defender, one is made aware of the interest that Robert S.

Abbott to the culture of African-Americans. This personal involvement and support continued throughout his life by attending and emphasizing artistic activity and development. NEW YORK-Bette Midler looks on after presenting Stevie Wonder with Grammy for Best Album of the Year at the 17th annual National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences presentations. Wonder, winner of five Grammys last year, won a total of four awards this year. (UPI) Bette Midler stars in Revue Aaron Russo in association with Ron Delsener sponsored Bette Midler's "Clams on the Half Shell Revue" at the Minskoff Theater, Monday, through Saturday, May 10th.

Showtimes are Fridays and Saturdays at 7 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. and Mondays through Thursdays at 8 p.m. "Rather than tour the country's huge arenas such as Madison Square Garden for astronomical fees, which she has been offered, Bette has chosen this milieu to best present her art for her fans. For this show we have surrounded Bette with the ultimate creative and production values.

To my knowledge, no artist has ever gone to these lengths or this expense for a run engagement," reports Aaron Russo. The Revue, at a preproduction cost in the hundreds of thousands of dollars, will feature Miss in song, comedy, repartee and dance. Courier Published Bu NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER PUBLISHING COMPANY 315 E. Carson Street Phone (412) 481-X302 Pittsburgh. 15219 Second Class Postage Paid At Pittsburgh.

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Lewis General Manager SUBSCRIPTION RATES In Continental United States. Hawaii. Alaska. Puerto Rico. and Virgin Islands: Six months.

$4.50: one year $8.00: two wears $12.00: In Canada: Six months. $5.50: one wear. $10.00. two sears. $14.00.

Foreign: Six months 56.25: one wear $11.00: two vears $16.00. The Pittsburgh Courier does not guarantee the use of return of unsolicited Manuscripts. and photographs. SEVEN 4 ION 3 SEVEN Seagram's 7 Crown. It's America's whiskey.

Seagrams THEUNG Seven Crown AMERICAN WHISKEY A BLEND Of da fall without a teak of 4 UNDER SE SAN CA U3 SEAGRAM SONS A 12 FLO7 SEAGRAM DISTILLERS N.Y C. AMERICAN WHISKEY- -A BLEND. 80 PROOF. AND "7 ARE REGISTERED TRADEMARKS IDENTIFYING THE PRODUCT OF THE SEVEN -UP COMPANY. Recordings and Makeba returns to U.S.

After a two year ab- sence, MIRIAM MAKEBA, the Empress of African Song, is returning to the United States this fall for her first nationwide concert tour. The producers: BONNIE BIALER, DENNIS ARMSTEAD JIM BAYLOR plan to hit twenty-one cities from coast to coast, showcasing MIRIAM MAKEBA against a montage of American and African music. This production, entitled "PROMISE OF A will mark the first major undertaking of YELLOW GORILLA PRODUCTIONS, New York. Ray Charles recently flew from New York for London, England, where he will begin a 17-city European concert tour. He will play seven countries during the four weeks.

The Crossover artist has completed a new album, titled which will be available immediately. He has appeared in such cities as London-Festival Hall, Edmonton, EnglandPicketts Lock Center, Paris- Playel; Lille, France-Colisee Rubaix; Liege, Belgium-Forum; Antwerp-Kon Elizabethza al; Charleroi, Belgium- Des Beaux Arts; BrusselsPalais Des Beaux Arts; Karlsruhe, GermanySchwarzwaldhalle; Fran kfurt-Jahrhunderhalle; Grand Synthe, FrancePalais Du Littoral; Lausanne-Bhaul Hall; Geneva-Victoria Hall; Le Havre- Maison Culture; HamburgCongress-Centrum; Berlin- Philharmonic; Madrid-Palace of Real. Charles will begin a major concert tour of the United States on May 14 starting with an appearance in Houston, Texas. The Raeletts, five singers who serve as a back-up group for Ray Charles in concert and on records and who also record for Charles' Crossover Records label in their own right, has changed personel. The new Raeletts is now comprised of Dorothy Durr, Bernice Hullaby, Madelyn Quebec, Linda Sims, and Estella Yarbrough After a seven day trial in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, a Federal jury on April 4, 1975, returned a verdict in favor of the Isley Brothers and their -owned recording and publishing companies, T-Neck Records and Triple Three Music, as well as Buddah Records, in the Isley Lincoln-Mercury announces new lower prices! 250 OFF regular sticker prices on six Limited Edition Mercury Monarchs 3 $250 OFF $250 OFF $250 OFF Now, taking Edition included for $250 as a Mercury off well limited the as time Monarchs.

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Motown also sought to recover from Buddah all of their profits from the distribution of the songs. The jury specifically found that the three songs were first recorded after the Isley Brothers were released from their Motown contract. Joining Bette Midler on stage will be legendary jazz giant Lionel Hampton, in his Broadway debut, and a supporting cast. The show will be directed by Joe Layton and designed by Tony Walton..