Evening star., 1917-11-02
LOVERS Of MUSIC
ST|RREDBY MUCK
Aroused by Refusal Of Boston
Symphony Director to Play
National Anthem.
STRONG VIEWS ARE VOICED

STRONG VIEWS ARE VOICED
Washington musical circles today were
stirred over tho fact that DR.. Karl Muck,
conductor of the Boston Symphony Or
chestra, who refused to permit the Or
chestra to play "The Star Spangled Ban
ner" in Providence, R. l., Tuesday night
when the request was made, is to con-
duct the concert Of that orchestra in this
city next Tuesday.
The discussion centered about these
questions-should q German citizen. as
DR.. Muck is, who has refused to play
tho national anthem. be given support
in tho National Capital: or should the
music lovers Of the capital think only
Of the artistic side of tho matter and
give their support to the famous or
chestra.
House Has Been Sold Out.
The house has been sold out for the
concert next Tuesday. which is to be
held at the National Theater, according
to statement made today by Mrs.
Katie Wilson Greene, who for eleven
years has had charge OF the manage
ment of the Boston Symphony Orches-
ira in Washington.
She said that only three persons. SO
far as she knew, had not taken their
DR.. Muck. the leader. is a German.
There isn't we'll known orchestra
in the country, or an opera company
which has not Germans In its ranks"
said Mrs. Greene. Il am patriotic
an artistic matter of this kind we
should not be led away from the right
conception. 1t has not been the custom
for the symphony orchestra to play
The Star spansled Banner In the
demand should be made now"
However, some of the subscribers to
the orchestra seats did not take the
view Of Mrs. Greene today. and were
strong in their condemnation OF DR..
Muck's stand.
They Demand the Anthem.
Lieut.. William H. Santelmann. leader
Of the Marine Band, today insisted
that the national anthem had a right
to a place upon any program whatso-
eysr artistic symphonies not excepted. ps,d
could in no sense detract from the
beauty Of any musical program. no
matter how artistic the program might
be. In these times 1t should be played
in school exercises. at church and most
decidedly at symphony concerts"
Otto T. Simon, director OF the Motet
Choral Society and the washington
Of DR.. Muck to play the national an
..rhere re should be no sophistries or
arguments tolerated here. Il is IN
tional Capital will permit such an In
suit to their country and flag. He
should be swept from the stage"
Backed by Maj. Higginson.
Mrs. Greene pointed out that Maj.
Henry L. Higginson. patron and foun-
der Of the orchestra, had supported DR..
Muck In the stand that the star
the program Of the orchestra and said
that no one had questioned Maj. Hfg-
ginson's loyalty to his country.
DR.. Muck was born at Darmstadt. Ger
many. educated at Heidelberg and
been markedly German in eympathfes
and preferences.
He is generally known AZ the kaiser's
favorite conductor. In fact the kaiser
title of koeniglich Preussischer gener-
almusik direkdor"-the kings Prussian
musical director.
The Department Of Justice is quietly
investigating DR.. Muck and his activi-
ties in this country. 1t was admitted
today. The departments agents. how
ever, are expected to direct their at
tention to the real reasons behind the
refusal Of DR.. Muck to play The Star
Spaneled Banner"
Washington will hear no German
grand opera this winter. it was an
nounced today. Manager Taylor Of
the Belasco Theater said that grand
opera would be produced. but that it
would be French or Italian. and not
German.