Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-10-25
Hans Kinder, Its Conductor,
Will Lead First Concert
on November 2.
National Group Is Expected
10 Compare FavorabIy as
Major Ensemble.

When Hans Kinder, conductor of the
National Symphony Orchestra, raises
his baton over WaShington's new resi-
dent symphonic organization at its in
augural concert at Constitution Hall on
Monday afternoon, November 2, at 4:45
o'clock, Americas twelfth and newest
symphony orchestra of major status will
have become a reality.
The factors which determine an or
chestra's status as major or minor
symphonic group are not established
by law or by governmental nat, though
officials of the Library of Congress
music division are agreed that the Ma
tional Symphony Orchestra may well
be considered, at its outset at least, as
a major orchestral ensemble. Ihere
are numerous factors which determine
an orchestra's status in this respect. Its
ability to confirm and maintain that
status in the future, however, is mat
ter for future determination.
Among the elements which determine
the relation an orchestra bears to SINH
lar organizations throughout the United
States, perhaps the most important are
the number of musicians engaged, the
reputation and ability OF the con-
ductor. the repertoire it offers over the
course of a new season, including new
works, and its general technical pro-
ficiency Judged by ordinary orchestral
music standards.
Many Versatile Players.
Although the National Symphony Or
chestra. at it's inaugural concert, offers
a smaller personnel than some OF lts
major rivals in the United states It's
30 musicians are considered suthclent-
" numerous personnel properly to In
terpret orchestral music, particularly
when the personnel includes musicians
capable of virtuosity on instruments
other than those for which they were
primarily engaged. And In this re-
sheet. Conductor Kinder and his per-
sonnet manager, George Gaul OF the
National Symphony, are most alert.
There are a number OF members OF the
orchestra who may, on occasions when
their own instrumental participation is
small employ such intervals for elabo-
ration by playing instruments not
wholly necessary but desirable Tor rem
dition of the music.
As far as the reputation and ability
If it's conductor is concerned, Hans
Kinder is recognized as one OF the
greatest 'cellists in the world, ana ms
musicianship, long tested under sucn
relentless master as StokowsKi OF tne
Philadelphia Orchestra, Is CONSIDERED Oh
the first rank. In addition, he has been
conducting for a number OF seasons In
European capitals, where he is perhaps
better and more favorably known as
wielder of the baton than as a virtuoso
of the violoncello.
The matter of repertoire. at this
early stage Of the orchestra'S career,
must remain an undetermined factor,
but in addition to the programs wnlcn
Mr.. Kinder already has announced Tor
the symphonic, Sunday afternoon and
Kindlar
that the introduction Of new works
from American and European com
posers. the development of solo talent
and the inculcation CT musical knowl-
edge and interest in the young will be
emphasized. :,
AS for musical proficiency, 1t is
pointed out that the National SYM
phony Orchestra must be judged IN the
same light that governs the judging OF
anything on trial.
First Group Founded in 1912.
From 1912 to 1881 is long stretch
90 years lacking but one, to be exact
vet that 80 years cover the whole his
tory of established orchestral combina-
lions In this country, the first orches-
ira still in active practice before the
American public having been formed In
that year when the Philharmonic Or
chestra of New York-now merged
with the New York Symphony Orches-
ira as the Ne York Philharmonic
Symphony Orchestra-came into ex-
istence. Oswald Garrison Willard, a
former president of the New York Phil
harmonic, characterized the New York
Philharmonic as the ''forerunner and
parent tree of all American orches-
tras" 1t happens that the Vienna
Symphony Orchestra was founded the
same year on the other side of the At
lantic,
Some SO years elapsed before the
organization of another histcry-making
organization such as the New York
Symphony, but in 1878. the New York
Symphony came into existence. For
many years it throve side by side with
the New York Philharmonic, until
changing industrial and social ccndi-
tionS dictated its merger with the
Philharmonic three seasons ago, giving
the American metropolis enc big SYM
phony orchestra which continues to de-
light Washingtonians on occasional
trips to the Capital.
Three years after the formation OF
the New York Symphony, the city Of