Evening star., 1937-09-11
LATIN MUSIC SERIES

have gone before had been plucked
from those vibrant strings bv the
gnarled and calloused fingers of this
player, who knows nothing about the
fine points Of music. but whose very
heart beats as metronome. Often
such men will hear a phonograph
record played, or perhaps piece on
some nearby village radio, and hear
ing it once they can repeat it fran
memory. Or what is perhaps even
more surprising. they may listen to
the strains of the first bar or two
and then, as though such a key had
unlocked some secret memory, will
proceed to accompany the piece in
perfect harmony, even though 1t is
entirely new to them!
great many of the pieces heard
at the Pan-American concerts are
either having their very first rem
dition anywhere. or at least are being
played for the first time in this coun-
try, and it is interesting to know that
some of our widely known songs are
not our own creations. but were
adapted from the Latin American
originals.
For instance. the popular Three
O'Clock in the Morning" of a few
years ago originated as waltz in the
Argentine. 1t was composed by
Julian Robledo, leader of an orches-
ira in Buenos Aires. The chimes
heard in this piece represent the peal
Of the Westminster chimes that were
presented to the Argentine by the
British Colony of Buenos Aires in
1910, in honor of the Tooth anniver-
sary Of their independence. These
chimes ring out every Is minutes
and have had considerable influence
on many of the compositions orig
mating in Buenos Aires.
1t is also claimed that another pop
ular song. Pretty Baby" originated
as the Latin American "Munequita"
(Which literally means Little Doll"D,
and you can easily see how we'll the
Mum -yeh-kee-tah" fits into the time
beat of Pretty Baby" Years ago
1 heard "Munequita" sung, played.
whistled and hummed on all sides in
Mexico.
Other popular Latin American
pieces which have captured the hearts
of North Americans are "Estrellita"
CLittle Starr. La Golondrina" (Ths
Swallow, "Ay, Ay, Ay" Literally
"Oh-oh, Oh!') and others.
HE concerts are always we'll at
tended by diplomatic and social
Washington and such music lovers
as happen to be fortunate enough to
receive invitations. and could a Schia-
parelli stand quietly in a secluded cor
ner taking notes, she could obtain
enough ideas from the latest STYLES of
Europe and the Americas 10 keep her
designers and dreSsmakers operating
Ter 10 years, for here you will see
everything from the simplest TO the
most gorgeous and elaborate clothes
as worn by the best-dressed men and
women from many parts of the world.
as they file through the building and
out into the Aztec Garden prior to
the concert.
The setting for these Summer con-
certS is ideal-chairs placed on a wide
terrace in the rear of the Pan-Amer-
lean Union Building. Below that a
spacious, gravel-pathed garden. with
more chairs forming a huge "V," in
the hollow of which the band or or
chestra i'll full-dress uniform makes
colorful splash; back of the musi-
clans lily pool with giant lilies. in
the black waters of which is mir
rored the full moon as it floats dream
lily above, casting its romantic man
Tie over the gathering. Phen, ass
sort of giant backdrop, the veirdlv
lighted, blush Aztec gallery, with its
stone, mosaic designs and
lutting figures. while on either side
,he Spot-lighted maSSed flags of the
II nations composing the union futter
softly in the warm breeze. as though
quietly applauding the musical welding
of The hearts of those present In q
spirit of harmony and peace.