The Washington times., 1937-12-04

test of public performance.
When DR.. Hetzel led the first
rehearsal, there was not much Of
an orchestra left. A period Of
continued decline had reduced the
personnel from IS musicians to 20,
with whole sections non-existent;
and the one thing generally con-
sidered most important, in the
maintenance Of an orchestra, the
financial backing, consisted Of ex-
actly $19.
EAGER TO SERVE
Yet, there was large library,
with complete parts for full Or
chestra, an inheritance from its
former conductor, the late Mr..
Alart: an indeal hall for rehearsal,
thanks to the sponsorship Of the
Community Center Department,
the auditorium Of Central High
school: a pair of modern kettle
drums, lent by the former con-
ductor, Mr.. Ford, and, above all,
the eagerness of all the players
to serve q good cause and help
to rebuild the orchestra.
AS it happened, some OF these
musicians were members Of the
original Washington Symphony
Orchestra. So, DR.. Hetzel was
won over to their belief that all
that was needed was more ex-
perienced conductor, and the de-
velopment, Of recent months has
proved them right.
Today, the orchestra again
comprises go players, and there is
roem for about Is more. It counts
among its new members veterans
Of many a famous organization,
though IA Of them are no longer
professio But all these Gov
ernment clerks, mail carriers,
policemen, night watchmen, ETC.,
are only. too glad to sit again IN
an orchestra and match their skill
with that Of a group OF selected
students.
GOOD WILL hUAES
What marks this organization
as unique, is a certain atmosphere
Of good will which prevails in
everything, specially at the re-
hearsals, held every Tuesday eve
ming at 8 o'clock. What Is miss
ing in generous contributions by
the public"-the operating fund
still stands at $19-is counterbal.
anced by the sacrifice Of time and
energy by these musicians, who
work hard for no other considera-
ton than the certainty Of Great
ing an orchestra which may some
day attain true artistic value.
The gradual ascent Of the or
chestra toward this goal can be
witnessed by interested observers
when it is presented, from time
to time, by the Community Cen
ter Department, and at occasions
for which the service Of a strictly
professional orchestra would not
be available, such as the perform.
ance Of instrumental concertos
and vocal solo compositions with
orchestra accompaniment featur.
ing Washington artists.
Tomorrow'S program at the Ri
alto will be shared by the Wash.
ington Saengerbund and the Bal
timore Arion Singing Society, also
under the baton of DR.. Hertzel,
the combined male choirs number
ing 100 voices.
RETURNS SUNDAY
The National Symphony will re-
turn from its 12-day tour of north
ern cities next Sunday to begin a
Beethoven cycle with which 1t will
be occupied until December 19.
At the first Of these Antal Dorati,
who has been active as conductor
OF the Ballet Russo de Monte Car
10, will be DR.. Kindler's guest for
the performance of the Pastoral"
and the eight symphonies and
Ruggiero Ricci, remarkably gifted
California youngster, discovered
and developed by Louis Persinger
at the time that he brought
Yehudi Menuhin to the attention
Of the public, will play the violin
concerto.
At the second event In the Sc
ries, Wednesday evening, Decem.
Der u, Josef Hofmann will con-
tinue. the celebration of his fiftieth
year before the public with the
performance Of the fourth con-
certo and DR.. Kinder will preface
it with the "Prometheus" overture
and the seventh symphony. The
Beethoven cycle will culminate on
Sunday afternoon, December 10,
with a performance Of the ninth
symphony. including the choral
finale. SoloistS will be Albert Gif.
ford, tenor, Alice George, soprano,
Lucille Browning, contralto Of the
Metropolitan Opera, and william
Fletcher Smith, baritone. The
chorus Of 800 voices recruited from
the Washington Choral Society
and the combined glee clubs Of
the George Washington University
will participate. Other works to
be presented in the final concert
are the "Leonora" overture, No. 8,
and the chorus, ''The Heavens Re
sound
THOMPSON MUSIC
Music for the Farm Security
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