Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-10-18
BY E. de S. MELCHER.


T is something of shock upon meeting
Mr.. Stokowski to find that this dynamic
maestro Of the platform Is such a srnil-
ing, easygong person with childlike blue
eyes, who can talk as delightfully."- about
the world at large as he can about music.
Mr.. Stokowski, caught as he was about to leave
for Baltimore after his concert last Tuesday
evening" did not seem in the least concerned
that his audience hadn't applauded after the
first portions Of the program Applause doesn't
interest me-" he said. Its one thing after
you have played very loud music to want to
feel that your listeners have been stirred
that they must show their emotions by ap-
plause. But in softer music like the Lulli and
the Vibaldi and the Rameau, there is no rea-
in the world why the audience should
applaud or why the conductor should want
1t to-"
Mr.. Stokowski was standing outside the sta
ton gate, hatleSS, scarf bound tightly around
his throat. He was there to say few words
about the new National Symphony Orchestra,
which probably he feels he has a particular
link WITH since its leader, Hans Kinder wac
once member Of his own orchestra. WASH
ington should have the best orchestra in the
world, and I hope it will" said Mr.. Stokowski
with complete sincerity. Being the Capital
of the United States. that's just what it should
have. N hope that it will come to Philadelphia
and pay us visits just we pay you visits,
and that it will be very, very successful"
ton in music, the genial conductor of the
Philadelphians then went to show that If
more cities and towns would follow in the steps
of Washington some sort of perfection in this
art would be reached. Music should not be
centralized exclusively in such cities as New
York, Chicago Boston and Philadelphia It
should be spread generally throughout the
country. Just as the movies have meant more
interest in the theater in the smaller commun-
tiles and have suggested to them the idea of
be taken in hand in the smaller sections of
the country and enjoyed just as we enjoy it
In the larger cities.
Music is becoming more and more impor-
tant daily. AS life grows faster and more COM
plicated, in order to keep baance-and
anything away from complete balance means
certain death-we need more. relaxation Music
takes us completely out of this world For in
stance, as I conduct as 1 play I'm not in
this world at ALL I don't know exactly where
am. but it's far away-and it is a wonderful
relief to get there. That's what I need occa-
sionally and that's what you need; that's what
We all need sometimes. We can't lean too hard
on one thing during our lives or we 60 to
pieces. We need change and relaxation.
And that's why it seems to me music is get
ting to be something more and more vital to
us every day.
I'm glad Washington is at last going to have
its own orchestra. It will be wonderful thing
for you to have this means Of educational re-
fine musician: he played in my orchestra His
orchestra should be very good. Yes wish 1t
all the best wishes in the world. Will it be as
good as the Philadelphia Orchestra? Oh, yes;
better I hope"
A MONG the more interesting news items Of
the week which strike close at home is
the tenth anniversary concert which will be
given by the Mount Vernon Place M E. Church
South tonight at O'Clock, under the direction of
r. Deane Shure, whose cantata WASHINGTON"
incidentally, will have several interesting per-
formances this year in and about the Capital:
the announcement by Elena de Sayn that the
first concert Of the famous Beach-Powell-
Kramer combination, with Miss de Sayn as
ssting with the VIOLIN will be given at the
Mayfiower Hotel Friday evening, December 4;
that the Incompatible Mary Garden of
course will be with us next Friday to open
the new Hurley concert course at Constitution
Hall that Otto Torney Simon reminds us "a
near relation Of one of Beethevon's early teach
ers, D. c. Pfeiffer, is living in our midst; that
the Carlo Rosa Opera Co. of London will come
here this Winter-and don't forget that John
Mccormack is being sponsored by the Wilson,
Greene office November %. And did you hear
Otto Beck play Mrs Dorans new song George
Washington" last Tuesday night over the air?