Evening star., 1932-02-14

Uc dOlC W AOllNuNS WIN A<NN
York Philharmonic in its final
symphony session of the season,
when that orchestra comes here
in March. This news comes
through the advice of the
maestro'S physicians, who have
warned him that he is in no con-
dition to undertake symphonic
activities. Further announce
ment from the directors of the
Philharmonic Society states that
they have invited Sir Thomas
Beecham to be guest conductor
for part of this period and that
he will probably conduct the con-
cert which is scheduled here for
March 8.
Another interesting item is
that Otterino Respighi will come
to this country to conduct dur
ing ToscaniniS absence. and will
present his new work, Maria
Egiziaca," in a world premiere
during his visit to New York.
Sir Thomas Beecham, the well
known London conductor and
opera impreSario. is not un-
known to Washingtonians. He
came here with the Philharmonic
Orchestra back in the Fall OF
1928. He is the leader of the Lon
don Symphony Orchestra and is
particularly noted for having
been artistic director of the Royal
Philharmonic Society from 1916
1919; for having introduced De-
lius orchestral works and operas
into England and organizing the
Delius festival in the Fall of 1929.
and for conducting Russian and
English operas at Drury Lane
and Covent Garden.
John TASKER HOWARD, au-
/" thor of Our American Mu-
sic" and music editor for the
United States George Washing
ton Bicentennial Commission, has
prepared an unusually interest
ing musical setting for Percy
Mackaye's masque. Wakefield" )"
which will be first presented
the night of February 81, at Con-
stitution Hall. Folk songs, music
from the classics and the works
of American composers OF the
past and present are all repre-
sented in this setting.
The principal theme has been
derived from the fourth move
ment of Dvorak'S New World
Symphony" and is of especial
interest not only on account OF
its American associations, but
also because it was originally
composed for performance in the
music drama. The World Find
er." which was written by Percy
Mackayes father, Steele Mackaye.
for his "Spectatorium.' which he
erected at the World Fair in Chi
cago. This was unfortunately not
performed at that time tdue to
the financial troubles of 1899
but later in the year was first OF
fered by Anton Seidl and the
Philharmonic Society in New
York.
Mr.. Howard, who has arranged
the folk and classical music, has
also composed original music for
some of its sequences. He has in
cluded in the various episodes
such works as Stephen Foster S
"Old Folks at Home the intro
duction to Edgar Stillman Kel-
ley's New England Symphony,
the largo" from Edward Mac
Doweus Sonata Tragica"; a
'Federal March by Reinagle, the
introduction to a cantata, Land
of Our Hearts" by George w.
Chadwick, and an "Elegle: by
Frederick S. Converse. Other
works of an incidental nature
which help to sustain the allie
gorical story-plot include the
Schubert setting for Who Is
sylvia" Thomas Tails Canon"
and dance music such as Bocch.
erini's "Minuet,' "Farando!e
bv Bizet and our own native
turkey in the Straw"
The director of the choruses TOR
this production is DR.. Albert w.
Harmed, we'll known local organ,
list and director of the National
Capital Choir, and the orchestra
is being conducted by Capt, Iay-
| lor BranSon. incidentally, IL IS
rumored that the 58-piece Or
chestra of the Marine Band IS
including for the first time IN lts
ranks a real harpist-and harp.
THE discussion for and against
modern music and programs
having become acute it might
interest some to learn what one
or two prominent citizens anc
musicians are thinking and writ
ing on this subject. The partlc..
ular program which has caused
the most comment was the last
one offered by Philadelphia
Stokowsky. Various pleasant and
unpleasant charges were made
and the net result was that When
Mr.. Reiner announced ms iast
tuesdays program loud and DIT,
ter was the cry-both for and
against. The following are the
written opinions of two people
who. as the saying. goes, know
what is what in the realm OF
music:
Dear Sir: -, -,
Please do not find fault with Mr'
Reiner because ne OUe7S "'ou'
=. Russian program merit 1ueSudy'
EDen so, the general trend oJ pro-
oran, building for Washington re-
mains pery conservative. TINS
true epen of the Philadelphia Or
chestra programs, taken as 1Dhote.
For many gears Mr.. Stoko1osky 1pds
almost the only Uisiting conductor
1rho treated Washington audiences
as it they were intelligently in
terested in nep music. But about
t,uo gears ago he seems to hare
reached the conclusion that Wash
inuton wasn't north the trouble;
that we only cared to hear Whdt ue
had already. heard four or fire times.