Evening star., 1939-07-19

If you like excitement you'd bet
ter buy ticket for the Sunset
Symphony tonight, because there's
just a chance in may turn into a
demonstration of aerial acrobatics,
class in landscape painting, a
dogsled race. or an exhibition Of
safe-cracking.
The guest musicians, Conductor
Efrem Kurtz and Baritone Robert
Crawford, say that they would just
as soon do any of these things as
carry on with the excellent program
they have scheduled for the Water
Gate at O'Clock. For both Mr..
kurtz and Mr. Crawford are gen.
tlemen of varied abilities.
Young Bob Crawford is an avia-
tor. He dropped into Washington
from the skies yesterday afternoon,
having flown his own plane here
from Bridgeport, Conn, at a cruising
speed of 100 miles per hour-with
his throat well tuned up from sing
ing most Of the trip.
It's wonderful" said his wife.
Mrs. Hester Crawford. Il can see
his mouth open wide in the front
cockpit, but 1 can't hear thing"
Kurtz Prefers Rail Comforts.
Maestro Kurtz pulled into town in
a Pullman car, and expressed some
surprise that any true musician
should enjoy flying. Il never take
plane unless I have to- he said
Give me train-peace. solitude
relaxation. no letters, no visitors no
ringing telephones"
Both gentlemen have done lots of
travelling in their own fashions
Take look at their biographies:
The flying baritone" was born in
Dawson, Canada, then moved across
the border TO Fairbanks, Alaska, a
roaring frontier town. 1t was there
that. like many a great man, he first
made his mark by peddling papers
but TO do SO he had to hitch up his
dogs and mush along from door to
door with his papers piled high on a
sled.
1t was there, too, that he first be-
came baritone-at the age of H.
My voice changed while I was sing
ing the soprano solo in show called
The Pixies he related. Il had to
keep on acting my part, while a girl
off stage did the singing"
Becomes Young Immigrant.
After three years of boSsing men
clearing out the roadbed for the
Alaska railway. Mr. Crawford cele-
brated his l7th birthday anniversary
and decided he was old enough to
come to the States. He took some
engineering work in Cleveland. then
worked his way through Princeton
by singing hymns in the towns
churches, and at length wandered
over to Europe for few years musi-
cal study He returned to direct the
Princeton Conservatory of Music and
to teach choral singing at Juilliard-
position he still holds
After they were married, in 1885
Mr.. and Mrs. Crawford few to Alas
ka for their honeymoon, with only
three forced landings on the way"
Efrem Kurtz was born in Petro-
grad. Russia 'he still rather prefers
not to call it Leningrad). studying
music there until 1919, when he went
to Germany. Within two years he
had sufficiently proved his genius to
be called upon to lead the famous
Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra when
its conductor was suddenly taken i'll.
He then made tours to Australia and
South America, but most of the time
was musical director OF, the leading
radio station in South Germany.
In 1888 he and his wife decided
to live in the United States, and he
has since become well known
throughout the country as musical
director OF the Ballet Russo d'Monte
Carlo.
Painting Hobby.
But you know, what I really
most enjoy these days is doing my
painting and drawing" Mr.. Kurtz
assured reporter.
Il do water colors, of course. But
most of all I like to draw pen and
ink caricatures of orchestras-and
Of my wife, Katharine"
He said he also has a passion for
undoing locks, big or little.
When interviewed, Mr.. Kurtz had
just finished a rehearsal with the
orchestra he will conduct tonight,
and was radiant with enthusiasm.
You have one of the leading Or
chestras in the country" he said.
What DR.. Kinder has done in four
years is amazing"
He announced that his program
would include Symphony Fantasia
que" by BerlioZ; "Canzonetta," by