Evening star., 1931-12-06


tie things which perhaps some of the
public is unaware Of Primarily Of course, its
function is to present the best symphonic music
available to many people as are available,
and to inStll some one has said that mood
Of reStfulness" which is helpful in these
times of stress and strain. There is, however,
another side to the formation of a good Or
chestra which should be remembered. Out Of
large organizations many smaller organizations
may grow-and this out of the mere fact of
musical association.
For instanse, that type of music which is all
too frequently neglected-the quartet-is be-
ginning to show signs of more than casual life.
Prominent members of the National Sym
phony are forming small groups, and in the
twilight after a concert are playing some Of
the seldom heard (around here) Beethoven's
and suchike quartets which we are not likely
to hear except at a Coolidge festival concert.
IT, now, we can have in our midst one two
quartets which are composed strictly ct local
material. and if these groups give evidence Of
being able to play with polish which is sadly
lacking in so many quartets OF today (since
many Of yesterdays quartets are decidedly on
the wane, and each season finds more and
more crumbling up), then the symphony or
chestra is fulfilling double purpose.
There are too few trios and quartets and
quintets around fer the splendid music which
is available for such groups.
OF those currently displayed, perhaps the best
is the Alden -Fnckel-Aice Finckel-Henri Soko-
low outit-which plays Cesare Franck very nice
ly, and last week the Finckel Trio played at
the Friday Morning Music Club with great ex-
pertness
Rumor has it, however, that behind closed
doors two other groups have begun pleasant, if
not feverish, practice. 1t is to be hoped that
these quartets will soon be asked to come out
OF their hiding. The first Of these is composed
OF the Ferrara brothers, Mr.. Wargo and Mr..
Paronchi, and the second has Milton Schwartz
as first vionist, Paul Bretenburg second
violinist; George Wargo, viola, and Sidney
Hamer, cellist.
Incidentally it is no secret that member OF
the first group recently urged to accept
musical call in New York which would reward
him with short hours and salary something
like six times what he receives in the orchestra
here 1t Is also secret that in spite of that
exceedingly tempting temptation he is still with
the orchestra-which Mr.. Kinder seems to feel
is a remarkable tribute Of loyalty to himself
and to his men-which it is.
1t is to be hoped that soon as these two
quartets have acquired what they consider suf-
f1cient musical polish they will come out into
the light and prove their mettle. Somehow 1t
seems a shame that there isn't place in town
where go late of an afternoon once
or twice a week, and listen to such a group
playing music which is too frequently covered
with dust.
Music is strangely enough receiving =
w renaissance in Washington this Winter.
While other places find themselves with empty
concert halls and inactive artists, this city Is
pushing out in every direction. The Metropol-
itan and Chicago opera companies are cutting
their salaries, one or two of the West Coast
symphonies shutting shop, and even such
old and interesting organization as the
Friends of Music in Manhattan has an
nounced that its life is spent The fact that
W. have been able to tuck an orchestra per-
hlps a civic opera, recital artists of Mrs will
SON. -Greenes and Mrs. Townsend's musicales.
all under one wing, is ample proof that Wash
tngton is musical city at heart.