Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-02-01
MUSICIANS PLEASE
IN FIRST CONCERT
Rudolf SchueIIer Offers Pro-
gram Which Was Worthy
Test for Orchestra.

An audience of 1000 heard the first
concert by the newly organized National
Symphony Orchestra at Constitution
Hall yesterday.
Mrs. Herbert Hoover had a party in
the presidential box and it was gen.
orally gala and nationally significant
occasion. The 80 Washington musicians
were given hearty applause as they
walked out and took their places on
the stage. More applause greeted
Rudolf Schueller, the conductor, as he
appeared. Immediately, he motioned
for the musicians to arise and led them
In THE Star Spangled Banner"
Throughout the program the audience
showed keen attention and much ap-
probation. A huge horseshoe of red
carnations with seven white ones for
luck was presented to Mr.. Schueller
during the afternoon and the audience
fingered perceptively to give warm ap-
plause at the conclusion of the program.
It was obviously very heartening to
leader and musicians to have this DEM
onstration of friendly cooperation from
their first audience.
Worthy Test Of Ability.
The program that Mr.. Schueller Of
fered was a worthy test of both his
ability as a conductor and the capabili-
ties of his orchestra. The familiar
overture to Wagner's "Tannhauser" was
the opening number. 1t showed care
full preparation, rising to truly inspira-
where the two dominant themes, the
pilgrims motif and the Venusburg mu-
sic, are merged into dramatic beauty
of broad volume and rich melody.
There were times when the conducting
seemed q bit too deliberate, suggesting
a dirge instead of pilgrimage in the
pilgrim music. However, 1t may have
been MIR. Schueller's intention to sug-
geSt the tragic background that culmi-
mates in the great finale of this opera
and involves the death of Elizabeth.
BiZet'S suite, "L'ArleSienne," with its
four very different movements, includ-
ing overture, minuet, adagietto and the
bell beauty of the carlton, was given
in the orchestra seemed to show that
cooperative spirit and teamwork that
is so necessary to the success OF any
organization. There were times when
one Sensed that Mr. Schueller didn't
quite achieve his aims, yet one also felt
the willingness to follow his baton,
evinced by all the men. It is simply a
question of time and constant practice
under his direction before they will acA
quire that fuller comprehension of his
desires and be able to interpret them.
Considering that the orchestra was or
ganized within the month, the inter-
most remarkable.
Present Work Of American.
It is one of the ideals Of Mr.. Schuel-
Ter and the National Symphony Orches-
ira to present work by an American
composer on every program to be given
by this orchestra, which Is being built
within the shadow of the Capitol of
the United States of America. Yester-
day the work chosen was the largo
of New England symphony
written by DIR. Edgar Stillman Kelley.
1t was variations on an old New Eng
land hymn and had as its motto, Great
Lamentations and Heaviness," a quota
ton from the Log Book of the May
flower, written by Gov. Bradford, an
ancestor of the composer. It seemed
particularly appropriate that this music,
with this background of pioneer Amer
icanism, should be given on the first
program by this orchestra in the new
d. A. r. Hall. DR.. Kelley and Mrs. KEEL
ley were in box with Mrs. Joseph Stod-
dard, president of the District of Column
bia Federation of Music Clubs. At the
conclusion Of the playing of his work,
the composer was pointed out by Mr..
Schueller and stood and bowed to the
added applause offered him by the audi
ence.
The concluding selection was the bril-
liant and dif1cult music of LISTS
symphonic poem, Les Preludes." It
was admirably interpreted. The strings
In particular showed fine playing in the
stirring climaxeS Of this work.
The next concert by this local mr.
chestra Is announced for February %,
when the American work to be pre-
sented VIII be a composition written by
the washington composer, Mary Howe,
known In private life rs Mrs. Walter
Bruce Howe. HE