Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-02-15

and all that remains more or less
actions to an event that bordered on the
historical.
Granted, in the first place. is the fact that
NIr Taylors music is not by any means great.
Granted too, that it smacks family of Wagner
and some of the pre-Raphaetes well as the
p)st-RaphaeliteS. And perhaps, the number
81 the short. Staccato recitstives become
burden after awhile. But in the long rum
0nd even in the short-the music holsters one
OF the most pc gnant stories of all times to
more than commendable degree And, there
W3S question but that the first audience
vas moved as audience mas been in many
day. AS the New York Times critic appro-
T~ilse.J said: when the final curtain came
down strong men were seen to weep"
ONE OF the most noted of the New York
critics spent many lines comparing the
music in Peter Ibbetson" to various and
sundry passages of music by other composers.
T.3us, there said to be considerable
reminiscent of Wagner, and perhaps even more
re uinscent Of Debussy. Whether this be the
case or no-and here one would venture to ask
If any opera written would not have the flavor
o. some of its anceStors?-it seemed to this
observer that the ,ausc was delightful with
o. being empowering. and that it moved
al-ng lyrically-especially through the lovely
d .am Sequences-to one of the most impressive
fipaleS in any opera or play. AS mentioned
elsewhere the opera seems more dramatic
Tran operate" The fame of the story. its
o. It, sentimental charm, has. however been
enhanced hundredfold by Mr.. TaylorS music,
AMI there seems very little necessity of pitch
ing into the composer because there are
stretches of musical inefectiveneSs when it is
the story that is at the moment the most i'm
pottant element. Furthermore, no recent work
hes been generally approved of by dis
ticcty critical audience, amid the ornate
reaches of the Metropolitan which, one may
recall in 1888 began its career with Nelson
doing major honors Marguerite in Faust"
THERE is a movement afoot to strengthen
the realm of music in the local churches.
Foremost in this seems to be Or. Albert Harmed
wro recently talked on THE Ministry of Music"
before a local club. The seeds Of this bit of
or:tory seem to have been far flung. Come
rumors to the effect that others following
in DR.. Harneds footsteps. The cause of which
is due one is told, TO q musical missionary
from the coast who not so long ago visited the
m,,5ical strongholds of the country-ecclesiasti-
cal stronghods-and reported that of all cities
Washington certainly near to competing
Tor The BOBBY prize.
THE c. F. A-which, for the sake of the
-. uninitiated stands for Choral Festival As
soeia TONS about to get under way again. Out
CONE last years banners, songbOoks sopranos,
contra!tos Snd corresponding male voices, and
all Of these will be seen, one hopes. this Tues
day evening at the Central Community Center,
where an imposing Additions Committee VIII
give them the over.
The executive board of this institution OF
500; is presided over by H. Barrett Learned,
ar others in its ranks include Mrs Joseph NJ.
St3ddard Rev John r. Duffield, Miss Grace
d. nham Guest, Charles M. Boyer and Mrs.
c. ,.5rude Lyons. The Advisory Committee in
cluies Clarence A. Aspinwall, Percy Lee Ather-
ton Miss Grace Durham Guest Mrs Walter
Bruce Howe Mrs Adoph C. Miller, Mrs. Edwin
B. Parker and Myron W. Whitney. And the
uIrDose of the c. F. A., as every one probably
knows, is united city-wide effort III the CIV
tng of choral masterpieces.
Last year under the direction of Frederick
Alexander one recollects interesting pro-
gr M called An Hour of Choral Music. given
10 an eager audience in Epiphany Church This
vear one trusts, enthusiasm will run so high
among those who fond of this sort of sing
ine that the recesses of the Central Community
Center this Tuesday will ring with many
votes who hoping to make the grade. AS
M eationed before, John H. Maryille, Adolf
To, )vsky and Myron w. Whitney will be the
Additions Committee and Louis A. Potter will
b- in charge of rehearsals. Here's hoping that
Music week-during which this association
should blossom publicly-wil be full of chorals
and choristers, all in their best and giving
tn ,ir very ALL and that from the hills of
q crowd will gather to make the rafters warm