Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-05-19
TOXIC NET EXPERT
MAY STUDY MUSIC
Tamio Abe Hopes to Teach
Occidental Forms on His
Return to Japan.
BY GRETCHEN SMITH.

Tennis is but one of the hobbies of
Tamio Abe, who may be seen daily on
the courts at Chevy Chase Club. prac-
ticing for the international Davis Cup
matches, to be played next week in
Washington.
Mr. Abe is at present specializing in
the study Of philosophy, but he admits
that it is a difficult thing for him to
decide whether he will further continue
along that line or devote his future in
terests to the study of music, theoretical
and otherwise.
The young Japanese Is an accom-
plished pianist, and although he has
never had piano lessons. he is gifted
with a talent which enables him to
play the most difficult compositions.
II should like seriously to take les
sons" he said, "but 1 have not the
time to give TO it. To play well one
should practice from five to six hours
a day, and with the time must give
to tennis and philosophy. it would be
impossible for me to do that"
Occidental Music in Japan.
Mr. Abe admits that he knows less
about the oriental music OF his coun-
try than the music OF the occldent.
Occidental music III Japan Is rapidly
gaining in popularity, and the study OF
the piano has increased so greatly
within the past 10 or Is years, that In
Toxic alone there are two or three
schools of music one of which, the
Toxic Conservatory Of Music, is rapidly
becoming the center of great occl-
dental musical movement in Japan.
In addition, the demand for pianos
has become SO great that, besides i'm
porting pianos in large numbers from
Germany and the United States. two
large piano factories have been estab-
lished outside of Toxic.
Although there are students OF vocal
music and violin in the musical con-
servatories OF his country, Mr.. Abe
states that vocal music is quite dim
cult for the Japanese. 1T will take
several wears more before We can cult
yate the Western vocal methods. VEGA!
music is difficult for the japanese
physically. they are not developed for
Occidental singing-their voices lack
volume he said.
Fond Of Recitals.
Toxic possesses two very fine orches-
tras MIR. Abe states, and the Japanese
are particularly fond Of symphony con-
certs, as we'll as violin and piano re-
citals. Several well known musicians,
including HeifetZ, Kreisler. and others
of international note. have given recltals
in Japan within the past two or three
years. .
"Opera." he said, lis a synthetic art. 1t
is difficult to combine good drama, sing,
ing and orchestra music. prefer gooo
piano recital to opera"
Nevertheless. Mr.. Abe Is fond OF
operate music, expressing preference
for the operas of Wagner and Verol-
He also prefers the Sonatas OF bee
thoven to the music of other German
or French masters.
Considerable effort has been made
in Japan recently by native composers.
to write occidental music carrying
Japanese theme throughout, but. SO
far. Mr.. Abe states. there has not been
much success along this line.
In addition to the Conservatives IN
Toxic. there is a very large conserva-
tory of music for girls in Kobe. Inc
piano is exceedingly popular Win
Japanese girls, and Mr.. Abe tells OF
one little l2-year-old friend who plays
the most difficult Beethoven sonatas
without looking at her music. The
reason the Japanese are making such
good pianistS." he said. lis because
they practice and study very hard"
Jazz Fails in Orient.
Jazz music. says Mr.. Abe. despite the
fact that its running mate" the NOV
ing picture. claims many ardent rams
among the inhabitants Of Japan. mas
not developed great enthusiasm among
his countrymen. This. he states. is
perhaps due to the fact that western
dancing has not yet been accepted IN
Japan, with its century-old traditions,
which would naturally be opposed to
modern terpsichorean styles.
In the Fall Mr.. Abe will return TO
Europe, where he expects to study
philosophy and the theory OF music IN
Vienna He hopes. upon his return to
Japan. to teach the theory of occidental
music to Japanese students.