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Show f f THE PERFORMING ARTS Critics: Where Has The Humor Gone? By LOWELL DURHAM another As was RETROSPECT: the case with the recent national election, so It Is with present day music criticism there Is a dearth of humor! We were reminded of this observances during week-en- d of JFK's assassination. Here wit, style, and charm combined to make a national leader. Never afraid to laugh at himself, he added the necessary spice to what could have been a dreary, drab frontplece for our nation. Todays music critics seem to lack this sense. One wonders if life is as all-fir- ed and earnest serious real as Longfellow put It as todays critics sound. Oh, for the good old days of a G. B. Shaw, a Hector Berlioz or a Monsieu Croche pen-naas (Debussy's music critic)! Drama devotees' should be aware that Shaw was first a music critic and foremost for nearly a decade In London. Imagine reading a Shaw review of a Jelesnlk pops concert! -- - or of any musical event for that matter. I could make deaf stockbrokers read my two pages on music, Shaw once wrote in reference to his criticism in THE WORLD. the alleged joke being that I knew nothing about it. The real joke was that I knew all about it. And, as a matter of fact, he very nearly did. An organist of some ability, he left us some of our most me brilliant critical essays on musical performance and, He may have composition. underrated Brahms, but this can be forgiven In the face of his wit and Insight In other area. (Brahms is Just like Tennyson, an extraordinary musician, with the brains of a third-rat- e village policeman.) He treated the moderns efI always applaud fectively: Sc honberg... vigorously, because he Is enlarging our muclsal material so usefully I was quite proud of myself for guessing which was to be the final chord In his Fifth Orchestral Piece, which was more than I had been able to do in the four previous ones. Of cello recitals, he wrote Maurice Cassidy is a clever, vitriolic (If that's what you want) pundit but no musician. San Franciscos Alfred Frankenstein must be ranked, and Los Angeles Albert Goldberg Is occasionally illuminating. The NEW YORKERS WlnthropSargeant is so reactionary- as to be disreHe aims solely at garded. The arousing controversy. Saturday REVIEWSs Irving Kolodln does a commendable job when not overly sour, which he usually Is. Jazz Is another area which dead without the light is touch. Humor is part and of this genre, partiparcel But cularly In Dixieland. rs some of the take themselves so seriously that they lose the spirit of the entire undertaking. This rather lengthy prelude to last week's results from a lack of major performances. Heading the list was the far-oute- contemporary as Young Utah Jf Musician . for 1964 sopera. for her pianlstlc wizardry. Bountiful's growing Comthe munity Concert series major minor series locally hosted Met tenor Cesare Valettl in a lack-lust- re program highlighted by Carl Abravanel led Utah Symphony through its initial AG Food Store and Food town Supermarket-sponsored Youth Concert of the season. Tabernacle was packed with bright-eye- d youngsters whose enthusiasm and enjoyment far exceeds their elders. ...and is genuine. Dan Valentine had opportunity to work out some of his repressions as solo timpanist. Logan High senior Ellen received the S. L. Chamber of Commerce trophy Was-serm- LOWELL DURHAM Greatest Promise one of those nights. Musically, as acThe latter, long now high-ranki- ng from the Robert Fundick recltaled in Salt Lake's Salt Lakes First Baptist Church before the local chapter, A m e r I c an Guild of Organists Friday last. A member of the BYU faculty, financial corporation 2060 E. 2100 SO. HU Christmas Gifts For Cars (Continued on Page 6) MAC the dog Zl.AY 7f;.S7' Eyes blink when com- you stop fully selected for the distinguished taste. Hallmark DEFROSTER Installs x needs at FLAIR Laundered Expert in carrying 30 C Come In Today! only 25 SPECIAL! SKIRTS Reg 77? CLEANED would I y: sooner spend an afternoon at dentists, or listen my to buzzing in a bottle. handled celebrity-seekin- ee He g dowagers with aplomb. From one he received an invitation: Mrs. Jon Doe will be at home Sunday from 2 to 4 P.M. To which GBS penned a tart reply: GBS slsol There is today a dearth of capable American music critics. New York, at best, has one in The New York Times Harold Schonberg gone are Olln Downes and Virgil Thomson. Washington POST has Paul Hume to its credit. Between eastern seaboard and Pacific coast one sees 4. 88 $495 illustration enlarged to show detail plus tax 48 F. FLAIR CLEANERS 2921 E. 33rd So. 49 95 exchange JEWELERS Cottonwood - 484-79- 01 G. FERRE Cottonwood Mall SON & 278-04- 48 Downtown dramatic satire, Beyondthe Fringe, which played to less than half houses Friday and Saturday on Highland Highs stage. Salt Lakers saw a pale version (second cast) of the Broadway and London originals. The foursome who appeared locally lacked the bite, drive and verve of the four talented British lads who took Broadway by storm. If one liked satire, he was carried along by the sheer weight of the book; if not, It was just MAKES HE XJU AmEJAE CALL ... FIIIUAY ... poker-facedl- case Chrome Wheels lb. 5. 60 Reg. 7.95 a 6.95 Value Alterations aean GUNS CAR BLANKETS Hockiiii KNIT a minute harm glass or paint CLEANERS SHIRTS in Use inside or out -- works in an instant-wi- ll not of Excellence laundry and cleaning 5. 60 Reg. 6.95 or turn bines uniqueness with superior carequality in diamond jewelry ZALECREST Save on your TILLIE the tiger WINKY the cat Collection Inimitable design. 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