Evening star., 1936-12-06

n n ARK TWAIN once wrote a
M story about a man who al
IVY tered the whole course of his
4 4 life by stopping to tie his
shoelace. So far-reaching are the
effects of our slightest actions that it
is almost impossible to measure some
times the consequences of seemingly
inconsequential events. Hence, if Mrs.
Matthew John Whittall had not en-
gagged the Flonzaley Quartet to play
for her and her guests in her music
room in Worcester, many years ago,
Washington would not this year be
privileged to enjoy the inestimable
benefits of a musical treat beyond
price-a season of concerts by world
famed artists, played upon the price
less instruments that were created
centuries ago, in the Cremona work.
shops of the immortal Stradivari.
This series of concerts. inaugurated
this month and to extend through
January, marks the initial season
under the Gertrude Clarke Whittall
Foundation, accompanying her presen-
tation last year of the famed "Stradi-
vari Quartet" of musical instruments,
which, when turned over by this boun-
tiful lover Of music to the Library
of Congress, invoked the admiration
and interest of the music world here
and abroad.
Not only did Mrs. Whittall make a
gift to the Library of Congress of
these incompatible instruments, but,
In order to insure that their lovely
voices would not die behind their
golden varnish, she created fund Of
100000 that will make possible their
use during a season of concerts to be
given each year under the foundation.
This series, that will be entirely free
to the public, will feature some of the
finest stringed instrument quartets
available in the world Of music, and
the artists will play exclusively upon
the Stradivari instruments at every
concert.
It would be difficult to imagine q
more gracious or beautiful gift to the
city of Washington or to the Nation
at large.
IT had looked upon these instru-
ments as sacred trust" Mrs. Whit
tall says, land last year realized
that I should so to speak, put my
house in order Provision had to be
made for their proper care and pres
ervation, not only that they might be
preserved as exquisitely fashioned in
struments, but that their voices might
never be stilled, but 60 on providing
Joy and beauty in a world very much
in need Of music"
THE Library of Congress, it seemed
to Mrs. Whittall, was the fitting
national shrine for the treasures.
Here, she knew, once the gifts were
accepted, they would receive the con-
slant and devoted care necessary for
their maintenance. Her letter of gift
stated that her choice of the Library
rather than museum was token of
her desire that they should not be-
come mere relics, but should be en-
abled to pursue the active life for
which they were intended, and she
specified that they were, from time
to time, and in expert hands, to be
played upon-not merely for their
own good, but in actual programs for
the satisfaction of audiences within
the Library building.
That opportunity was later assured
by her foundation, the income OF
which will be available for such pro-
grams. The fund is committed to the
Library OF Congress Trust Fund Board
and, through the music division Of the
Library, the income will be applied to
the maintenance of the instruments
and to programs in which they will be
used. The sum given by Mrs. Whit
tall is entered as q permanent loan to
the United States Government, upon
which the Treasurer of the United
States Is to pay interest applicable to
the purpose stated.
This month Of December ushered
In the first series sof concerts under
the Gertrude Clarke Whittall Foun-
dation. Frankly sentimental over
the fact that two Of the member
of the original Flonzaley Quartet,
now members of the famous Stradl-
varius Quartet of New York City,
who had first inspired her with a
deep love of chamber music and had
instilled In her the fervent desire to
possess a string quartet Of her own.
Mrs. Whittall resolved that they
should open the concert season in
Washington. For that reason, Al
fred Pochon, second violinist, ana
IVAN d'Archambeau, violoncellist, her
devoted friends of many years stand
Ing were on the opening program, a