Evening star., 1928-12-30
NJ u S &c
BY HELEN FETTER.


a moment and glance down
rare perspective that only time
makes possible, then to look
around at present conditions and
consider the possibilities of the
near future. Musically, this is
not an unintereSting task. In the
Fall of the year the time seems
logical to take stock" of the
actual musical events listed for
the imminent season. In the late
Spring, those who are influenced
by the fascination that statistics
possess for some people, busily en-
gage in checking up on what has
happened during the season end
ing and comparing the figures
with similar ones of earlier sea-
sons.
The first of January, however,
would seem a time to take stock
Of more elusive and at the same
time, more permanent qualities.
This is the time to face conditions
Squarely, to note just how far we
seem to have come muSically as
Nation and to think of the ten
denotes leading to probable prog
reSS in after years which may be
inspired by current events.
In the first place, it is high time
to stop talking about the United
States not being musical coun-
try. 1t may not be a muSically
advanced country yet but it GER
tainly is spending too much time,
energy and money in many direc-
tions leading to musical develop
ment to be any longer talked
about in a negative, disparaging
way. Washington, as the natural,
logical center of the country for
all endeavorS, is becoming swiftly
the music center of the country.
New York, it is true, doubtless
will remain the market center for
musical enterprises but increas-
ingly the finest artistic effort and
most worthy musical events find
their way to the National Capital.
Moreover, many of them have
their debut in the United States
in Washington, instead of in New
York.
In a recent article written by q
staff writer of the Associated Press,
entitled, New York Attracts the
Best in the World of Music in
1928" the writer indicates that
the metropolis has unique attrac-
ton for the finest musical efforts,
which is not quite true. 1t is true.
that all the events mentioned in
long list in this article including
many distinguished musical indl-
viduals have appeared and at
tracted much attention. Yet it is
equally true that with the eXcep-
ton of the two, newest operas
presented at the Metropolitan
Opera House and the appearance
of Yehudi Menuhin, child wonder
violinist, not one of the people or
events mentioned in this list has
not appeared in Washington and
received warm acclaim here.
Moreover, the famous English
Singers. who created one of the
outstanding New York sensations,
had their debut appearance In
this country at the Library OF
Congress as the feature of one OF
the Elizabeth Sprague Coolidge
Foundation festivals. AS for the
others mentioned, Mr.. ToScanini,
Mr.. StokowsiSi, DR.. DamroSch,
Geraldine Farrar Tin her famous
concert "come-back"O, and even
the revived Norma" with Rosa
Ponselle, all have appeared in
Washington. Little Menuhin is
scheduled to appear here early
this month.
There is no reason why there
should be rivalry between New
York and Washington for the flrSt
is obviously equipped to be the
music market of the country,
whereas the latter is just as OBJ
viously the place for the general
cultural center, although the
equipment as to concert halls and
an opera house is still in state or
deplorable deficiency.
x x
ITO take a general glance over
= the progress of the United
. States in laying solid foundations
musically, the survey meets with
amazingly satisfying plans.
The composer, who should be
the first consideration for build
ing a national school of music, is
coming speedily to the fore. En-
tirely aside from the many con-
tests for works by American
composers, such as the particular
w fine offer of Musical America
which awarded the So 1000 to Ernest
Bloch. naturalized citizen, for his
symphonic epic, "America"-there
is an especially admirable move
ment started at the Eastman
School of Music to give practlcal
assistance by actual performance
of works by American composers.
In an article printed elsewhere ON
this page, more details of this
effort are presented.
The recent Atwater Kent second
radio addition brought to atten-
ton one of the outstanding efforts
to find and give practical assist
ance to young Americans with
beautiful voices and sufficient in
telligence and persistence to en-
able them to cultivate them sue
cessfully if given opportunity to
study with established teachers.
A Washingtonian won one of the
two first prizes.
Similarly the American Opera
Co. Vladimir Rosing, director, is
offering practical Laboratory" ex-
perience to young Americans who
are obviously destined for operate
careers. They also are laying low
the bugaboo about not being able
to sing opera in English for they
do so eXcellently, and make a
highly entertaining show out Of
formerly stodgy, Victorian style
of presenting opera.