Evening star., 1933-04-28

GIANT OrcneStra QWlnOllnH 10
n pigmy size was the uncanny
~ demonstration Of orchestral
1 \ music in auditory perspective
given last evening at Constitu-
ton Hall by visible DR.. Stokowsd and
conjunction with the Bell Telephone Co.
This latest departure in sound trans
mission, which has been tested and
perfected by the scientists Of the Bell
Telephone Laboratories, working In CO.
operation with DR.. Stokowski, was given
q first demonstration in Washington
yesterday under the auspices OF the
National Academy Of Sciences.
The vast auditorium was filled with
an expectant audience as at any orches-
ira concert. The huge stage was hidden
by blue velvet curtains, which parted
slowly at the appointed concert hour to
show an empty stage lightly velled by
a white gauze screen Out of the blank
ness came a glow of light and high up
In the center q dimly-etched cathedral
rose window became apparent. Sud-
denly, from every portion OF the empty
stage, an invisible orchestra began the
"Toccata and Fugue In D. Minor" by
Bach. There was not even an of1-stage
illusion to the playing; 1t was actually
there-the violins to the left, the harp
to the right, the drums and double bases
In the background An invisible indica-
ton was given, and the violins sank to
a whisper and the basses doomed softly.
Gradually. with absolute precision,
magic baton drew forthva perfect cres-
cendo that grew to forte. then to
fortissimo Of terrifying volume, to be
released again for suave legato Of per-
feet clarity. The music stopped, the
glowing rose window vanished and the
audience rubbed its unbelieving eyes,
for the stage was empty as before the
ethereal music Of 100 instruments had
flowed from its every corner.
The Philadelphia Symphony Orches-
ira was ensconced in the AcaC emy Of
Music In Philadelphia, led by Assistant
Conductor Alexander Smaller. In
box in the back Of Constitution Hall
sat DR.. Stokowski before switchboard
arrangement. manipulating and direct
ing the transmission Of his orchestra's
playing over the Bell Telephone wires.
Another signal, and Beethoven's Sym
phony No. S" was played, with the per-
fection CT execution Of the orchestra
emphasized to q remarkable degree.
In the intermission DR.. Harvey
Fletcher. director of acouStical research
at the Bell Telephone Laboratories, gave
a short explanation of how the phe-
nomenon was accomplished. BY several
specially constructed microphones placed
before the orchestra in Philadelphia
the sound was caught and passed over
a cable system to the newly-invented
loudspeakers on the Constitution Hall
stage in Washington. DR.. Stokowski
from his seat in the box in the same
hall. was in communication with the
orchestra, able to speak to it directly.
and operating its dynamic effects by a
series Of controls with the same flnesse
Of effect as when he personally stands
before 1t directing
The remarkable auditory effects are
given three dimensions. The sounds
come from different and easily distin-
guished portions of the stage. and from
its level or high above it. A series Of
experiments further demonstrated this
movability of sound. An unseen work
man is busily using his hammer and
saw at one end Of the stage, an equally