Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-03-02

Veloping a sense of musical values
There are two main channels by
which these opportunities come
For the younger folks, particu-
larly, lies the most satisfying way
that of participation in musical
endeavors. For older people, too
this way is open, but naturally to
a more limited extent. Even so,
those older folk who have studied
some musical instrument in their
youth find that knowledge con-
venlent for reviving and encour-
aging fingers long clumsy from
lack of practice so as to take part
informally in chamber music pro-
grams with friends.
The other channel for musical
education is through various me-
chanical means Photograph and
radio have long since started
musical training along the path
toward keeGler appreciation, in
addition to mere emotional en-
joyment, of music.
Within the past two weeks it
was the privilege of the writer of
this column TO personally expert
ment with two of the newest me-
chanical devices of this kind.
Both seem completely fascinating.
One is the queer, almost uncan-
ny, instrument invented by the
young Russian, Prof Leon There
min. 1t gives beautiful singing
tone when played by some one
who understands its capabilities
and limitations thoroughly. 1t
has one basic requirement for the
vould-be performer. Any one
playing it must have a keen and
accurate ear for pitch. Otherwise
the results are liable to be rather
awful. With accurate sense of
pitch, however, performer on
this instrument has a wide field
open to him. First he must con-
ouer the peculiar gesture and
control of the right hand that di-
reefs the melody to be played. He
also must learn to gauge the dis
tances for progressing from one
tone to the next and the place
ment Of these tones in the air, for,
unlike violin or piano, he has no
actual contact with any material
substance to produce these tones.
Once he has his scale definitely
placed for its three octaves of
general possibilities, his technical
mastery IF the instrument is COM
pleted. The rest is simply a mat
ter for individual initiative and
artistic feeling in putting express
sion into his readings.
At present the r. c. A. There
min instrument has the reSem-
blance to a human voice in the
higher register, a violin's tone in
the middle register and a rich
cello tone in the low notes. A
New York specialist who was
demonstrating this instrument
here recently, however, stated
that already Therenin organ is
being perfected which will have
stops initiative of the sounds of
various other instruments, as do
the established types of pipe or
CANS which have several manu-
ais. Also a Theremin piano"
and violin" are in the expert
mental stage.
THE other instrument recently
brought to state of unusual
development is the photographic
machine, which makes it possible
to hear and see the music being
played simultaneously. Two cleo
trio plugs control the two definite
parts of this newest mechanical
device. One person can easily
hold these in either hand. One
electric button controls the run
ming Of a roll on reproducing
piano. The other controls the
running of of a film on a camera
planned to have a clear enough
lens to throw this picture on any
ordinary wall, q screen not being
necessary. The film shown co-or-
dinateS with the roll used on the
piano. For instance, Myra Hess
admirable recording of Debussy's
Submerged Cathedral" will be
played on the piano. On the wall
one sees (before the music starts)
a picture of Debussy. A brief BIZ
ographical sketch follows. Next
comes the legendary tale that in
Spired this composition, also told
in concise yet interesting fashion
A short QUESTIONABLE on various
points (meant especially for chill
dren, which can be briefly passed
over by adults If desired) follows.
Then simultaneously the roll on
the piano begins to play the COM
position, while the film shows the
actual notes on the wall. On the
1eft-hand side the film has sim
pie, clear mention of each theme
as it enters or recurS, the change
of key, the musical expression re-
quired. On the right-hand side of
the music runs a programmatic
Interpretation of the mood or
music. After the music has end
ed the last part of the film roll
contains suggestions of exercises
or answers to the QUESTIONABLE
given earlier
These dual rolls have been pre-
pared carefully by the worlds
greatest authorities in music. A
committee in every principal
country has been formed to COM
pile and check over the additional
material or to translate it into
the language of it's country.
Musicians who are authorities on
the particular compositions they
have been asked to interpret are
chosen with discrimination. For
instance, PaderewSki plays. his
own 'Minuet";; Harold Samuel
authority on Bach, plays piano
literature of that master; Ravel
plays his own compositions, etc.
The president of the company
which has perfected this audio-
Uroohip cov1ahi1o q fiOT1 has had dor