Evening star., 1938-05-15

point to take care of talented young q
who have an ambition to be orchestra
conductors, and what about filling this
gap in the musical sphere? Today the
number Of American conductors before
the public is small indeed, and there
seems to be little prospect Of adding
to the list.
Why are there SO few American Or
chestra conductors? Is it because the
American temperament is lacking in
the essentials that 60 into the making
OF good conductor, or is 1t the fault
OF the public, which seems able to sup
port only limited number of Or
cheStraS and wants the most famous
men holding the baton. Whatever the
reason. it is fact that there is little
to be heard of even aspirants to the
position and no effort to discover if
the talent is latent in this country.
Composers have been encouraged and
are being encouraged more and more
to work at their trade, and solo artists
are proudly acclaimed as showing the
great development of American musical
talent. Yet not much has been done
to foster leaders in the great field of
orchestral Interpretation.
'HE famous orchestras Of the coun-
try seem to be surrounded by the
same halo which great opera COM
panies enjoy. The same fetish of
unusual and interesting personalities
has crept into the attitude toward
orchestra directors and placed a
standard, irrespective of ability, which
down regarding artists and. to a cer-
that coupled with undeniable musical
knowledge must be the power to pre-
sent an attractive appearance and hold
the interest of the public by means
which once belonged exclusively to
the prima donna. Naturally, the num-
Der Of conductors who can live up to
these requirements is small. and SO
far the field has been occupied by only
q few.
Then. too, it would seem that the
conviction that Europe alone can pro-
duce fine conductors persists. al
down regarding artists and to a GER
tain degree. composers. 1t is true that
in the European musical training the
elements Of good musicianship which
a conductor must possess to an un-
limited extent are cultivated more
thoroughly than in this country. We
are still too prone to hurry our musical
education and to rely ON personality
and the famous American spirit to get
by. But surely somewhere there are
earnest students who would be willing
to train themselves to the highest
degree for the position of orchestra
conductor provided they had chance
to try their talents and were assured
cooperation from their fellow country
men.
WHENEVER there is need of con-
ductor in this country the mana
gerial eye turns Immediately to Eu-
rope. An invited conductor may have
success here or he may not, but he is
always a drawing card for the public
Put an American whose ability is as
little known generally in the same po-
sition and he would have no public
to listen to him. True. there is
dearth Of orchestras in this country
and no such opportunities as the opera
houses Of Europe provide for a con-
ductor to learn to be competent. The
best known orchestras call for direc-
tors who, even if they are now Amer
lean citizens. had their training in
Europe The door seems to be closed
to those American musicians who
might have the possibility of becom-
ing as famous as the men in the
spotlight today.
We need. first of ALL more concen-
tration on classes in orchestral con-
ducting in conservatories. The course
must be thorough and form a basis
for the development of individuality
in that field. 1t must prepare q
student to step forth equipped to meet
the standards of the day or ready to
proceed forward from this point.
Then there should be in every COM
munity an orchestral group no. mat
ter how small where these embryo con-
ductors could practive their art and