Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1935-06-30

known orchestra be continued, but
presence of guest conductors.
Summertime music has always been
. problem in Washington. With the
attraction Of worthwhile Summer
events which the people can enjoy in
the open, the problem of temperature
will not assume such importance. The
site chosen for the concerts Is most
ideal one. calculated to place an audi
ence in a rare mood for musical lis
tening Situated at the base of the
noble monument erected to the men,
DRY Of a man who, because of his
great understanding of the power of
spiritual forces. would surely have
welcomed the inclusion of music in a
civic program. and within view of
other historical ground, it carries a
special appeal not to be disregarded
by those who recognized the value of
all that this stands for.
With music. at all times, there are
two points to be considered--the bust
ness end and the artistic. For those
who have not worked with music. the
business side seems more importan mt,
but, necessary as 1t is, 1t can never
take precedent over the artistic. and
with the artistic, the spiritual There
Is neither a weakness nor a too great
idealism when one speaks of the
spiritual effect of music. and awkward
as is this term in Anglo-Saxon usage,
1t Is one that should be more uni
versally employed. We need to think
and to talk more about the finer
angles Of vision so that any shyness of
expression can be overcome.
Unfortunately. the consideration of
the business end nearly wrecked not
only the Summer plans but the VIM
ter concert season as well. With the
money at hand. the business details
could have been taken care of in the
proper way had they not been mixed
with the question of the artistic. The
formation Of an orchestra is not an
easy task. as those not learned in
such q matter are beginning to realize.
What music patrons have rejoiced in,
IN some of the older orchestras. is the
perfect balance and blending of tone.
These orchestras have the power to
achieve this ideal condition because,
through the years. they have become
independent. The different sections
of the orchestra are infinitely de-
pendent on each other, and already, If
some division Of our orchestra is
slack in its work. the public of Wash
tngton knows enough to be critical.
A few poor musicians can retard and
spoil any artistic effect by their in
competence.
1t Is impossible to have an orchestra
capable of playing the great sym-
phonies or other masterpieces with
out each section being complete in it
self. The National Symphony needs
certain players and there were none
among the city's musicians. Incl
IDENTIFY, does this not reveal a real need
and real opportunity for any who
wish to make music a profession?
In Variations" Of last weeks Musical
Courier, a reprint from the Grand
Rapids Press reads: The main thing
we have learned from our short-wave
set is that nearly every country in the
world Is full of sopranos" and the
same might be said of some OF the
instruments in an orchestra. But
there are many others difficult to find
and for which large salary is paid
IN every orchestra if the player war
rants 1t. Why is the study of these
rare instruments not given more con-
sideration In public schools and con-
servatories and students encouraged
to learn them? If an artists career
Is not so readily opened for such, a
good living Is guaranteed by conduc-
tors and the public. Now that the
National Symphony seems assured of
its future, would it not be we'll to
have a supply Of local players ready
when an emergency arises?
The much-longed for series Of Sum-
iner symphonic concerts Is now estab-
lished. Other cities have made a sue
cess OF similar concerts. why not this
city? We have something original
and superb in the way these concerts
will be staged for the public, we have
Q conductor and personnel ranking
with the highest. we have Govern
ment interest so that nothing remains
but that the slopes leading down to
the watergate be crowded each eve
ming with absorbed listeners learning
and assimulating still more of the
great ideas the music masters have
bequeathed us.
AN OUTLINE of the programs
given this Winter by the German
Literary Society has recently come
to the notice of this department. In
reading over the celebrations in honor
of various celebrated German com.
posers and writer's for whom this year
offered anniversary commemoration.
and the manner in which this has
been accomplished. one Is impressed
with the great educational value of
Just such q society.
For centuries Germany has sup-
Piled the philosopher, the scientist
and the musician of all countries with
inspiring material. but for the mu-
stefan OF today the debt of gratitude
Is the greatest of any. Yet one can.
rot learn the music which the Ger.
or German-speaking must
clans have bequeathed to us without q
like interest In the literature of their
compatriots Through the untiring
efforts Of Anita Schade. president Of
the society for "a years, Americans
who have learned to appreciate the
German classics have all opportunity
to further keep alive their interest
and those Of the younger generation,
who have not had occasion to learn
Of them on native soil, can be as
gured of . true and understanding
Of every facet Of their
genius.