Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1915-05-04
IN. r.

M. R)
How would you like to be assigned 10
interview the greatest flutist IN tne
world'
If you were the least bit inclined to
timidity probably you would experience
a sinking feeling somewhere IN the re-
gion of your heart.
That S the way the society reporter
felt as she sat in the lobby Of the Hotei
Marion at noon today waiting the ar
rival from the south on the Shasta
Limited of George Barrere, conductor
of the famous Barrere Ensemble, ana
the greatest flutist of his day.
Miss Lois Steers, under whose man
agement the organization is making its
Northwestern tour arrived previously
and filled in the moments OF waiting
with interesting incidents Of her work
Suddenly in the midst Of a sentence
taxi cab swept up to the door, and IN,
stantly the celebrated MUSICIAN ana
his manager were exchanging greetings
in an enthusiastic ~ 'mdelighted-to'
see-you" sort Of way. Introductions
were made hurriedly and the interview
was on.
Immediately all thought of timidity
vanished, for although the famous
musician is accustomed to homage-and
a great deal of it--he is simplicity it.
self in his manners.
Anyone could tell him by his pictures.
He is Of medium height and is essen
TALLY French in his appearance. He
speaks hurriedly-nervously, with de-
cided French accent, but aside from an
occasional shrug of the shoulders, or
elevation of the eyebrows, there is no
display Of the characteristic French af-
fectation or mannerism,
"'What shall we talk about" was
asked Mr.. Barrere by way of intro
ducng some subject
"Music," " he instantly replied.
"Don't you sometimes find that sub.
| ject tiresome2" he was asked.
"Never," said he. "Music is all in
all to me. 1 am never tired Of hearing
or making it, They say to me do not
these concerts weary YOU but always
l say no, the more ! give the happier 1
am, they Che pronounces his the" and
"they", "ze" and "zay') are restful,
soothing, a relaxation, you would say.
Mr.. Barrere was asked his opinion of
western audiences compared with east
ern.
"The western people are delightful, u
he said in reply. ~ have played before
them before with Walter Damrosch, and
always they are the most encouraging
and appreciative. They understand
music as well, / believe, as the eastern
music lover, and it is ever n delight tC
play for them"
Mr.. Barrere stated that their recep
tion in San Francisco was most en-
thusiastic, the hundreds Of exposition
visitors joining with the music loving
folk OF that city in receiving them will
wide open arms, so to speak,
"What effect will the war have OF
musicl - was ventured.
Instantly Mr. Berrere's hands wen
up in a gesture of helplessness. "'You
too, F" he said, "tbe reporters Away
ask me that, and how am to tell. N
one can tell It may give the French {
| uNNNNl IlhNN' HleHN oug, buN Nv aNN
ed in tone of dismissng the subject
81 cannot tell anything farther"
"Who is your favorite composerl'
he was asked.
5 ~ have none" was the surprising
4 reioinder, "Ony music that is good
+ like, both old and new. I always try
. however, to favor the modern writer a
t much as possible, he ADDED, for VIII.
@ should not We help our contemporarie
as much as possible During my musicO
$ career in France, which covered
II period Of ten years, over seventy ney
d. compositions were written for and uset
Il by me, and not long ago in New Yorl
c city presented a program made up en-
tirely Of present day compositions.
= Mr., Barrcrc was asked whom h
/. considered the greatest Of living mus
.. clans, which, come to think Of it, wa
t rather an undiplomatic question,
"0ulside of myself" he quizze,
laughing. "Wer" he added dryly "
% could not say There are so man
greatest musicians you know.
I "Wcll thcn" was asked, (which on
of those with whom you have worke