Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-11-18
AFTERNOON CONCERTS
SERIES OF FIVE BY WASHINGTON
SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA.
Addition to Regular Standardization
of Children in Works of Stand
ard Composers.

Mr. de Koven has decided to give five
afternoon concerts this season in addition
to the regular series Of symphony concerts
announced previously. They are to be In
the form of lecture-recitals Mr.. de Koven
talking of the music and then illustrating
his remarks with symphonies and smaller
numbers played by the Washington Sym
phony Orchestra. These educational con-
certs, as they have been called, are to take
place on December 16. January and %,
and February 8 and 23 at 4:30 O'Clock at
the Lafayette Theater, and are intended
for students of music, the children and
teachers of the public schools and all 9TH
ers interested in the study of great musical
masterpieces.
Mr.. de Koven has discovered that there
is substantial desire here among the
young folks as we'll as children Of older
growth to know more of the standard
works Of musical literature. 1t is mat
ter Of common recognition that few people
rim the average concert audience are prop
erly prepared for hearing and assimilating
symphonic music. ana more than one book
has been written on the subject How to
Listen to Music" For instance. how 1t is
possible for a person who has never heard
a Haydn symphony or a symphony by
Beethoven to perceive the advancement in
style and orchestral dress which has been
made in later day compositions over early
works of this class? How can the judy
attempts to express his opinion of one of
the Strauss symphonic poems?
Familiarity With Standard Works.
Mr.. de Koven believes that by educating
the children of Washington. familiarizing
them with the standard works of the great
composers. he will not only do much to
counterfeit the baneful influence Of the vul-
garity now so frequent in popular music of
fIa 1aty ht,f mill ha oh fn ka nf he
school children in this city an audience
notable for its high musical ideals and a
love for the best in music.
The general subject to be treated in these
five educational concerts is comprised In
the topic THE Five Periods of the Sym
phtEy.' and one concert will be devoted to
each OF the periods. The subject for the
first one of the series on December 10 will
be the pure classic period, and will be illus
trated by either the military or the fiat
symphony of Haydn. the largo of Handel
as an example of pure melody, a Bach
suite, and probably the first prelude of
Bach. and short numbers by Boocherini
and Scarlattf.
These arrangements may be said to con-
stitute a graded educational plan for all
music lovers in the city of Washington.
Those who prefer good music of q some
what light variety may attend the Sunday
night pops, while all who wish to be pre-
pared for a still more elevated style of
musical program will find themselves at
nofne III the tuucdtiOHdi All VI
Washington's advanced pupils In musical
appreciation may attend the five regular
symphony performances, which began last
Friday afternoon. and which will be con-
tinued on December and succeeding dates
at the Lafayette Theater.
Fourth Season.
The Washington Symphony Orchestra en-
tiers into its fourth season-an Incorporated
organization of fifty of the best musicians
in the country-engaged on a salary. thus
creating for Washington a permanent or
chestra which is the sixth organization OF
its kind in the United States. AS regards
It's orchestral equipment Washington now
ranks with Boston. Chicago, Cincinnati.
Pittsburg and Philadelphia. The members
of the corporation are Herbert Wadsworth
president; Thomas F. Walsh, first vice pres
ident; Max Seekendorf, second vice presi-
dent; b. H. Warner, third vice president
Eugene f. Stevens, treasurer; Herman c.
Rakemann. secretary. and William Bruce
King counsel. .4s as, ~