Evening star., 1938-03-28
j. U.S.MUS|CHA|LED
BY WERRENRATH
Noted Baritone Presents
LeCture-ConCert at
Town Hall.

musical world from the centuries-old
Indian love songs and war chants to
present-day tunes of Berlin, Porter and
Gershwln was afforded slim Town
Hall audience last night by Relnald
Werrenrath. American baritone and
noted authority on the history of
music
Mr.. Werrenrath Steered his listeners,
first with explanations and then with
skillful solo renditions, through maze
of songs of American origin. carefully
pointing out that by comparison
local compositions are second to
works of late European masters and
simultaneously leaving a definite i'm
preston that Americas pride in her
own music is more than justified
The Speaker-Sin gave as reasons
for this country'S position as runner
up in the musical field our mixed
youth as Nation
In my opinion" he said, lit is re-
markable that we have been able to
produce music as good as we have
when you consider our background
MacDOwell Ranked First.
Mr. Werrenrath's nomination for
Americas number one composer went
to Edward MacDowell, whose compost
ton. THE Sea-" as sung by the lee
turer, drew prolonged applause from
the listeners MacDowell was placed
along with c. B. Hawley, in Mr.. Wer-
renrath's golden age in American
musical history'-the 1870 period
which gave to the world the speakers
musical aristocrats of America"
No end of praise was given the
work of Stephen Foster, to whom the
speaker referred as the originator OF
the popular song in America" Ref
erence was made to Fosters "Old
Folks at Home" the second best
seller, according to Mr.. Werrenrath
this country has ever known. He
placed Home, Sweet Home" as the
first.
Taylor Termed Americas Hope.
Deems Taylor, the speakers life
long friend, and the late George
Gershwin were paid distinctive trib-
utes by Mr. Werrenrath. The former
was referred to as the white hope OF
American music today"
Perhaps the one song that has con
tributed most to American music ha
been Rhapsody in Blue he said o
Gershwin's best-nown composition
This man was one composer who
never had a slump and never knew
defeat He died in the midst of tht
best music he ever wrote. Hi!
work will live with us always"
In comparing men and women com
posers, Mr.. Werrenrath declared tina
nowhere in the world have I foune
women composers that rank witt
male song writer's He did concede
however, that "Women's vocal tech
nique is infinitely superior to men"
Walter DamroSch came in for hi
share of the speakers praise when h
doing more than any one in thi
country today toward stimulating mu
sic appreciation.
Religious songs. Mr. Werrenratl
stated, sound best when sung b
church congregations and not as solos
This observation was made first hanc
As the speaker pointed out that h
has sung in church choirs for l
consecutive years.
In answer to a question at the con
clusion of his lecture concert. MI
Werrenrath stated that musically re
lieious songs cannot touch the seriou
songs of the composers"
This, of course, is not true, h,
said. of sacred songs taken from tn,
classical compositions Of European
masters.
Mr.. Werrenrath found it easy t.
make himself heard throughout tn
Rialto Theater without the aid of
microphone and kept his audience a
keen attention from My Days Hav
Been So Wondrous Free" by Franci
Hopkinson, whom he names as Amer
icas first composer to his final offer
ing, Vincent Youman's Without
Song"
He was introduced by Hustol
Thompson, chairman of the Wash
tngton Town Hall Board of Trustees