Evening star., 1932-10-02

I"HE program for its Fall con-
| vocation which has been an
| nounosd by the George Wash
i ington University should be
source Of deep satisfaction to
Washington.
The National Capital has just pride
| In the National Symphony Orchestra,
and recognition by an institution of
higher learning Of its achievement and
Of the genius Of its conductor is
happy gesture, particularly at a time
when the Haydn bicentennial brings
worldwide heightening OF interest in
music.
On the evening Of October 13, Hans
Kinder. conductor Of the Symphony, is
to receive the honorary Gegree Of doc
Of music, and Haydn symphony, per-
formed by the National Symphony Or
cheStra under his baton, Will supersede
the usual convocation address
| The University's program is unique
in the annals of academic assemblies in
this country, for never before has a
symphonic rendition formed the pro-
gram for such an occasion in the
United states. Interestingly enough,
the program parallels that of the Uni
versity Of oxford. in 1871, when Haydn
himself was the recipient Of an honor
\ ary degree. Three grand concerts fea-
| tured the occasion, at the second OF
which he conducted the oxford Sym
phony.
| The Haydn celebration IS an appro-
| pirate accompaniment to the George
| Washington Bicentennial, for the music
OF this composer is in the spirit of the
| eighteenth century. His compositions
were given frequent performance in
America during Colonial days, and the
/ rOnnnCpr hold n
veneration, Haydn Society being
formed in Boston the year 1915, in his
honor.
| The place OF Franz Joseph Haydn in
| musical history is that of first great
master OF the symphony. for which he
set the form. He wrought important
changes. too, in melodic idiom, break
ing through convention which often
sacr1f1ced vitality of idea to a ceremo-
NAL courtliness OF phrase, and frankly
introducing his native folk music.
which gave greater richness and mu-
slcal color. More than any other COM
poser of the eighteenth century. he es-
tablished the principle of nationalism
IN music.
/ Born on March 81. 1892, in a little VIII
lage on the borders Of Lower Austria
and Hungary, Haydn was the son of a
| Wheelwright, one Of family of II chill
dren. He early displayed signs of a re-
markable talent. which attracted the
attention OF relative. who trained him
as chorister. In 1740 he obtained a
place in the cathedral choir Of st. Ste
phen's. in Vienna. where he took the
sclo part in the services, and received
at the choir school further instruction
on the violin and harpsichord. In l749
his voice broke and he was dismissed
Through the aid of his friends and a
| few pupils he secured sufficient funds
TO continue his studies. The first fruits
| OF his work. comic opera and a mass.
were produced in 1851.
| The turning point in his career came
| IN 1855 when he became attached to
| the country house Of Freiherr Won
| Furnberg. an accomplished amateur
who gathered musicians around him
for the performance of chamber music.
| Here he produced in rapid succession
| score OF compositions, including his first
symphony and his first quartet. the two
earliest examples Of the forms with
which his name is most closely associ-
| ated
On his return to Vienna in 1856
/ Haydn became famous as teacher and
| composer. In 1859 he was appointed
| conductor to the private band Of Count
Morz.n and a year later was promoted
to the ub-dircctorship of Prince Paul
Esterhazys Kapelle. at that time the
best in Austria. For the next 80 wears,
from 1850 to 1890. he remained with the
Esterhazys principally at their country
seats of Esterhaz and Eisenstadt. with
| occasional visits to Vienna. With the
| encouragement of discriminating
patron, small but excellent orchestra,
| and free hand. Haydn made the most
Of his opportunity and produced a con-
tinuous stream of compositions in every
known musical form. His reputation
spread throughout Europe and he re-
ceiyed commissions from the Cathedral
of CadiZ, from the Grand Duke Paul.
from the King CT Prussia, from Partisan
concert directors and from an English
copyright firm to which he sold no
fewer than l29 compositions.