Evening star., 1933-12-31

nunclatlOn OF the cr00ner and the sing
ing Of sentimental ditties. Mrs. Otta-
way. formerly president of the National
Federation OF Music Clubs, and a power
in the world of women who accomplish
things, asked q united campaign from
the 81 organizations whose representa-
tives she was addressing to change this
condition of affairs and work to in
fluence the radio arrangers to intro
duce more Of the finer music into their
various commercial hours.
One of the wisest and surest ways of
bringing the entire country to a bet
ter appreciation of the best in music
was devised by Leopold Stokowski when
he introduced his l5-minute symphonic
programs, specially arranged to edu-
cate the public in understanding of the
music of the great masters. DR.
Stokowski is perhaps the most active
leader today whose constant striving is
for the furtherance of musical educa-
ton in this country, and what he has
thought out is the result Of definite
knowledge which experience has given
him. As the years go on the rela-
ton of our Indebtedness to DR.. Stokow-
ski will be increasingly revealed to us.
DR.. Stokowskis program is in a
line with that sponsored by Mussolini,
who has arranged that a progressively
educative program be broadcast so as
to reach the farthest hamlet that can
tune in. More of these programs could
be had with profit in this country, ana
musical education will not only be
aided but simplified when there is
enough repetition of the best music to
make it, the traditions of interpreta-
ton and the form of development
thoroughly apparent to students and
the less well educated music lover.
Arthur Bodansky, who conducted the
Cadillac program last Sunday. also
voices this belief when he says:
II become more and more convinced
Of the necessity of repeating and re-
beating the playing of the great clas-
sizes. 1t is only by that means that we
may build the proper musical back
ground in America. Hearing will bring
understanding We cannot begin with
the great modernists. The house must
be built from the bottom.
There is no better way than by the
playing Of great music: OF Beethoven,
Wagner, Brahms and Bach. This is the
sort of music the American public will
love. But they cannot love it until
they have heard it often. The radio
offers the chance. I am delighted to
be able to participate in the Cadillac
concerts, in whose programs only the
great masters will be heard"
Now that better musical programs
have been planned by the radio COM
panies, it is the publics duty to see
that they are given proper support
This can only be done by expressing
appreciation or criticism direct to the
company that it may know just what
proportion of listeners are enjoying
the higher class music. Naturally, II
these prove in the majority, the cheaper
music may be made subordinate. and
even the programs which feature lighter
music plan for a better quality of that
kind.
Ernest Hutcheson. in a recent news
paper interview, said that "tlmidity is
to blame for cheap music" From a
great number of letters received from
all over the United States Mr.. Hutche-
son is assured that the public wants
high-class musical programs. not too
difficult for the average person to en-
JOY.
Evidently the dance melodies and
cheap songs inspire people to express
more sober listeners to good music re-
Whatever the reason, the radio COM
panies have no way Of knowing just
what this portion Of the public feels
Since a change has been brought about
the good work can continue, If the
rector know that they heartily approve
of the fine musical programs they are
hearing and ask for more and still