Evening star., 1938-05-01
Kinder Urges Conductors
Join Him in Aiding Walter
Would Open Schedules
for u. S. Concerts by
Nazii's Victin,.

Dr. Hans Kinder, conductor of the
National Symphony Orchestra, has
suggested that other leaders Of Amer
ican symphonies join him in opening
schedules for the coming season to
a series Of concerts by Bruno Walter,
one Of the foremost maestros of
Europe, who. because he is Jew,
fled first Germany and then Austria
to escape Reich discrimination against
nom -Aryans.
DIR. Kindlers proposal that Mr.
Walter be invited to the United States,
which was made known through its
publication in the Musical Courier in
New York City, was offered as
positive gesture which might
alleviate the terrible individual dis
tress and hopelessness our distin-
guished colleague must be SUFFERING"
DR.. Kinder said the board of directors
for the National Symphony approved
his move.
Mr.. Walter was in the Netherlands,
DR.. Kindler's birthplace, March 15
four days after German troops crossed
the Austrian border. when he resigned
as director of the Vienna Opera. He
had been in Austria. except for
period at the end of 1884 and the
beginning of 1885 when he made
tour Of the United States, since April
1888. Before then he conducted the
Berlin Philharmonic
DR.. Kindler's letter, dated April l6
and addressed to my colleagues"
read:
The situation in Europe has had
as one of its consequences the re-
moval or resignation of many of our
colleagues from their positions. Re-
gardless of any ones personal political
convictions, I think 1 can safely say
that we ali feel that political inter-
ference in matters at art is contrary
to the very spirit of art.
"America's Obligation"
I'VE who have the privilege of liv-
ing and working in America should
now. more than ever. realize that this
brings with it an obligation. namely,
TO extend as far as possible this same
privilege to those wao have most i'm
mediately suffered the consequences
OF political interference and restric-
ton.
One OF our most eminent COL
leagues. Mr.. Bruno Walter, has had
to resign. first in Germany and now
IN Austria. The realization of the
fearful mental distress which must be
Mr.. Walters at this time and my own
reaction to this compel me 10 prorose
the following:
L propose to you, my colleagues in
America. immediate joint action in
this particular case. II every one of
us would be willing and ready. is
am. to offer Mr. Walter a series of
four. five or six concerts from our
schedules for the coming season. an
immediate field Of activity not tnly
would open itself for him. but, more
than that. a positive gesture on our
part would be made which might al
leviate the terrible individual! distress
and hopelessness our distinguished
colleague must be suffering. NV own
Board of Directors most graciously
and promptly has consented 20 this
procedure on my part
Privilege Of Hearing Walter.
Such action will not only be very
definite gesture of protest. but it NAV
also allow us the immediate privilege
OF the distinguished presence in
America OF Mr.. Bruno Walter.
Should you be wiling to take a
definite part in this procedure, may I
ask you to write me in care of the
National Symphony Orchestra. Wash
ington, D. c., indicating the possibili-
ties as far as your individual organiza-
tions are concerned"
Mr.. Walter last conducted in Wash
ington in 1882, when he appeared with
the New York Philharmonic, which
then was under the direction of Ar
turo Toscanini.