Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-08-03
NJ u S | c.
BY HELEN FETTER.

when in Washington last
Spring. Mr.. Kinder was not
trying to be facetiouS. He did
not know the slang Interpretation
for the name of the famous vege-
table. He did know that baked
beans and Boston are synonymous
in many minds.
II had never eaten baked
beans" he continued in his soft
and attractive accent, but from
my childhood, ever since can re-
member, had heard of the great
symphony orchestra in Boston in
the United States of America. It
was because of this orchestra that
Boston became a mecca in my
eyes. All over Europe you will
find that, not only among must
clans, but with people generally
of any culture in all the CONT
mental countries and England, the
thought of Boston Immediately
calls forth mention of that city's
famous orchestra. 1t is a domi-
mating asset in the eyes OF the
world"
Mr.. Kindlers comment has
found wide corroboration. There
is not one of the American cities
that has a symphony orchestra
which does not frankly acknowl-
edge that such an organization is
a very tangible asset to that city.
Of them all, however, none is
more distinguished than the Or
cheStra of Boston. 1t is second
oldest in the United States.
Elsewhere on this page is given
some information about the Bee
thoven festival of four programs
to be played by this orchestra in
Washington in December. This
festival is part of an elaborate
plan for a special celebration OF
the SO years that the orchestra
has been in existence. For half
q century it has grown into the
very roots of life in Boston and
the cultural considerations of the
Nation itself. The festival in
washington is to be the express
sion in the Capital of the coun-
try of honor to one of the finest
artistic products developed in the
United States of America.
TT was primarily because of the
Boston Symphony Orchestra
that Henry Lee Higginson became
known as "BoSton's first citizen"
The American banker had re-
ceived his general education at
Harvard, his musical education
abroad and served in the Fed
eral Army during the Civil War,
when he was brevetted lieuten-
ant colonel. His benefactions
were numerous and he did much
practical social service work. It
Is the Boston Symphony Orches-
ira, however, that he pains
takingly founded and built, which
is his vital, evergreen memorial.
No slightest inquiry into the his
tory Of this orchestra but brings
out in capital Importance the
name-Henry Lee Higginson.
It was in 1881 that Mr.. Higgin-
son brought together the initial
personnel. Mr.. Higginson was not
merely lover of music, and thus
generous patron as far as
finances were concerned. He was
an intelligent musician himself.
In addition, he had executive
ability of high quality. These two
aforementioned things are quite as
essential to a successful launch
ing of a symphony orchestra as is
the solid financial foundation
such as he established and main
tanned for many seasons at his
own individual expense.
There are many people who Will
give money toward fine musical
endeavors, but very few who can
and also will donate intelligent
discrimination and ability to
build such an organization. Too
often socially prominent people
are asked to lend their names and
give a comparatively SIN all
amount of money toward such
project, and then these people
seem to feel a right to assume re-
sponsibility toward the artistic
development of the organization
which they cannot possibly live
I'D to, not being trained or ma
lively gifted to handle such prob
lens.
Mr.. Higginson made no tempo
rary hobby of the Boston Sym
phony Orchestra. He went into
the proposition with his eyes fully
open to the. long years OF hard
work and constructive thinking
that he must personally contrib
ute, as well as the very large sum
of money that must be spent with
no thought of a penny Of it ever
being returned to him. 1t meant
real sacrifice, a sacrifice of men
tai energy and time that was as
momentous in the artistic prog
reSs of the United States as was
the sacrifice of pioneers who bore
hardshipS and broke the more
picturesque trails in learning the
extent of the country and the pos
sibilities of its material resources.
Mr.. Higginson realized all this.
He was no wealthy f1nancier who
simply had a lazy, amateur love
of music. He stuck to his bargain
wear after year and brought the
Boston Symphony Orchestra to a
point where 1t became Self-Sup-
porting. He it was who outlined
the plans and cleared away the
obstacles toward this end. He en-
couraged the bringing of great
guest conductors and the produc-
ing of scores, both American and
foreign, for first performances in
this country. He supervised the
actual personnel in the orchestra
and fostered many practical ideas.
The Boston Symphony Orchestra
was the first in the country to
have a pension fund for its men,
bers.
And now, so years later, the
Boston Symphony Orchestra is