Evening star., 1935-12-01
Mexican Orchestra to Ciue
Farewell Concert TONIGHT
Au-Natiue Program Will Feature Group
of SaIteriOs at Constitution Hall.
7O-Piece Ensemble.

Maestro Miguel Lerdo de Tejada
and his Mexico City Police Tipica Or
chestra will present their farewell
concert here tonight at o o'clock at
Constitution Hall.
Widespread demand for another
appearance here resulted in the Ma
tional Press Club sponsoring the con-
cert, with the assistance Of the PAN
American Union and the Mexican
Embassy. Tickets are to be on sale
at Constitution Hall, beginning at 10
am. today.
The band, which has been sensa-
ton in the Capital. will present a
program of all-native music on their
native Mexican and Indian instru-
ments One of the outstanding fea-
lures of the orchestra is the group
of salterios, perhaps the Oldest native
instrument in Mexico.
The salterio. In some respects sim
liar to a either. dates back to the
early days Of Aztec culture In Mex
leo. Originally it was simply a series
Of metal strings placed over a kettle
like box, and strummed with the I'm
gers. In its present form, however,
evolution has added q deep box, much
like that of a guitar. but larger, and
now the musician uses metal picks on
each hand to produce the rich tones
Of the instrument.
Seven Salterios Used,
This orchestra uses seven salterios.
Also in the stringed section are three
bandolons, an instrument much like
a mandolin, but several times the
size.
Both of these native instruments,
along with the marimba, which dates
back also to the early Indians of
Mexico, are played in all parts of
Mexico by the mariachis, the un-
trained native musicians who earned
their name because they are virtually
always present to play for weddings
in their home villages.
Another unusual thing about the
Mexican Tipica Orchestra Is the
presence Of an organ, played by the
youthful son of the maestro, Miguel
Lerdo de Tejada, jr.
To round out the 70-piece ensem-
BILE are groups of marimbas, violins,
rellos, bass viols, guitars, drums, a
small brass and reed section, and a
single harp.
The unit also has a group Of IA
singers and two dancers who usually
conclude the concert with a presenta-
ton of "Jarabe Tapatio." the national
dance of Mexico.
The program tonight will be COM
posed almost exclusively Of native ira
ditional Mexican music, including sew
eral of Maestro Lerdo de Tejada's own
compositions, and two of his special
arrangements. One of Hermilo Mar
ms own compositions also will be
played by himself and his four BROTH
ers on the marimbaS. Another of the
Marin brothers, Pablo, Is the assistant
conductor of the orchestra, but sew
eral other members of the organiza-
tion-including the maestro's SON
conduct their own compositions. All
the special arrangements, except those
Of the leader himself, are made by
Noises JimeneZ.
Complimented by Benter.
Twice since the band has been in
Washington the maestro has had ex-
periences he considers as extraordi-
nary. After the concert at the Pam
American early in the week. Lieut.,
Charles Benter, leader of the United
States Navy Band, asked the maestro
for his arrangement Of "The Star
Spangled Banner" and complimentea
the organization on the feeling 1t was
able to put in the American national
anthem.
The second, however, was something