Evening star., 1935-12-29

artists have been introduced to the
music lovers of the city, and the va
rious angles which their individuality
has brought to the Interpretation Of
music have been one Of the most In
teresting, as well as educational points
in the years progress.
Among pianists how different and
enriching have been the performances
of PetrL Casadesus, Slencynski. Ga
brilowitsch, Iturbi, to mention but
few or the vocal offerings Of Jepson,
Vallin, Lehman, Tibbett, Martini,
Bonelli, Swarthout or Flagstad. New
vistas have opened up through the art
Of Segovia and Kubelik, presented by
Concerts Intimes, and the dance re-
citals of La Argentina, Shawn and
the Monte Carlo Ballet Russo.
THE series Of recitals sponsored BY
the District of Columbia Chapter
OF the American Guild of Organists
has made known the extraordinary
development Of the organ and its ex.
ponents, and the beauty Of the litera-
ture written for the instrument or ar.
ranged for q finer expression through
its meaps. The Library of Congress
has done more to popularize chamber
music than any single group has been
able to accomplish, and the festivals
which bring the worlds greatest en-
semble players for feast Of chamber
music each year have drawn the at
tention Of the entire country. The
courage Of present-day composers Is
rewarded through the zeal of Elizabeth
Sprague Coolidge, who has devised a
practical way to keep glowing the
fires Of inspiration. BY her own
artistic sense and great altruistic feel
ing, she is making musical history not
only for this but many succeeding gen.
erations to benefit by.
The single sad reflection that
creeps into the consideration of the
brilliant music schedule of the past
year Is the almost total lack Of de-
mand for opera as q much-desired
part Of the season. The circle OF
events as well as the appreciation Of
music cannot be completed without
a better knowledge Of opera, which
combines In itself all the elements of
great music. DR.. Kinder has tried
to incorporate 1t in the symphony's
programs, and its success warrants .
hope that when, and If, opera Is
given here in a sufficiently artistic
manner the public will grow to love
and ask for 1t each season.
OPERA to be well given should
have an artist directing 1t, and
the logical choice would fall on DR..
Kinder, who has already given so
much beauty to the entire city. But
opera inadequately presented is worse
than no opera at all, as many ex-
periences in the past have shown.
With the support Of the music public
back Of it, the best opera could be
brought to the city, to add glamour
and imaginative force to the musical
fare and round out the circle Of music,
which still is incomplete without this
branch Of art.
So as the year draws to its close
1t is with gratitude that one recog-
nizes the increased unity that binds
the public to the musical activities
offered them. This has been long
desired and often despaired of, but
the response Of the past season has
shown that this last obstacle to in
creased growth in music appreciation
is fast disappearing. May the New
Year bring still greater happiness
with the music that will be heard
and may the standard be kept high
and unsullied through combined
effort.