Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-06-01

M tant thing in music for
4" people generally, ultra
= y \ moderniStS to the con-
trary. Musicians may revel in in
tricate contrapuntal diSsoranceS
and queer mathematical puzzles
of musical notation. The public,
however, invariably acclaimS the
work that is primarily melodic.
Even the greatest symphonies and
other works OF so-callel absolute
or non programmatic music have
worn increasingly well because in
their patterns were traceable dis
tinct and beautiful melodies.
There are those in the musical
world who have been heard to eX-
press the opinion that, so far,
America has no truly representa-
tive national composers. Even
Edward Mcdowell has been con-
sidered by many to reflect def
nitely his Teutonic schooling in
music. Surely there are at least
three Americans to whom this
criticism cannot be applied. They
are Stephen Collins Foster, writer
of many songs that have found
permanent places in all collec-
lions of "old favoriteS"; John
Philip SouSa, the March King"
and Victor Herbert, who has been
TO the American school of operet-
ia writing what Gilbert and Sulli-
van were to the British school.
OF this trio, the first two were
born in Pittsburgh and Washing
ton, D. c., respectively. Victor
Herbert was Irish by birth, Ger
man by musical training, but
thoroughly American in the char
acter of his works. His melodies
have originality in theme and
that definitely emotional appeal
that is quality preferred by
Americans.
During the past week the sixth
anniversary Of the death Of this
great IriSh-American was univer-
sally honored with memorial pro-
grams. Locally the Fox Theater
Orchestra, Leon Brusiloff conduct
ing, prepared a special medley Of
Herbert melodies and presented
them in the stage show It was
interesting Monday night to no
tice that as each melody was COM
pleted, when played by some one
or other of the orchestra Soloists,
the applause of the audience was
sufficiently hearty to have tempo
rarily suspended the playing Of
the succeeding numbers. There
were such lifting melodies as MY
Little Gypsy Sweetheart" Kiss
Me Again" "Ah! Sweet Mystery of
Life" and others. These very
singable melodies we're obviously
the hit of the evening.
A MERICANS show immediate,
iInpulsive response to the per-
Torrance of base ball and foot
ball teams, either cheering or
''booing" with equal ardor and
speed. There are times when one
wonders why they are not frank
and definite in their response to
music performances. They do not
hesitate to walk out If ball game
gets undressing, but they will
sit through an equally boresome
musical performance and either
let the mind wander or go to sleep
until it is over. There is no doubt
whatsoever that If the musical
artists felt they were getting keen
attention from their audiences, as
could be judged by either sponta-
r1eous applause or by a total lack
of it, they would take much more
professional attitude and interest
in concert work. AS 1t is, the
writer of this column frequently
meets artists who complain about
the cold audiences, the indiffer-
ence on the part of many people
who go to musical events.
This condition may be partly
due to the fact that many in the
audience hesitate to give definite
reaction because they do not feel
that they are qualified by per-
Sonal experience or training in
the musical arts to express an
unfavorable opinion.
It certainly would be much
more interesting to find an audi
ence at a concert sufficiently in
terested to give clean-cut response
to the artists efforts, either ia
vorably or otherwise, than to sit
through programs where only a
gentle pattering of applause shows
so plainly an almost total lack Of
interest.
In this connection it was inter-
esting to read the following cabled
report regarding the very specific
reaction of a Berlin audience to
program given by the New York
Philharmonic Symphony Orches-
ira, which appeared in that city
last Monday night during its Eu-
ropean tour:
The Germans are commonly sup
posed TO be no match for the Latins
when it comes to exhibiting enthusiasm.
but 5000 Berliners, gathered at the
Philharmonic tonight u hear Arthur
Toscanini and the New York Philhar-
menic Symphony Orchestra, showed
themselves the equal Of any race in
demonstrativeneSs. Beating rain Of APP
plause, mingled with the rolling under
tone of "Bravol" which acclaimed the
New Workers in the first of two Berlin
programs, surged through the great hall
and made old-timers shake their heads
and wonder II the crowd had zone ccm-
pletely mad.
Toscanini answered curtain call after
curtain call until he had made more
than a dozen Temperatures and came
out In a topcoat with his hat in his
hand and successfully stilled the en-
ti1usiastS.
The appearance Of Toscanini in Ber-
lin marks the pinnacle Of the Spring
festival season being held here. The
audience. which was largely composed
of men in evening dress and grandes
danes In elaborate toilettes, was far
from common sight in these days and
was strongly reminiscent Of the old inn
perial times when the court favored
outstanding events with its presence.
F1lrtwaengler, Kleiber, Klemperer,