Evening star., 1939-10-18
Latin American Music
Played in u. 5. Called
Not Of Highest Type
Conference Hears
Northwestern u. Man
Ask Better Selections

Making a plea for better distribu-
ton and appreciation of the best
music of the Latin American coun-
tries, Prof. William Berrien of
Northwestern University today
charged that neither radio, phono-
graph records, nor even the Latin
American concerts sponsored by the
Pan American Union have succeeded
in presenting the highest type of
such music from the Southern Hem
aSphere.
Prof. Berrien spoke to distin-
guished gathering of representatives
of several American countries at
conference on er-American rela-
tions in the field of music at the
Library of Congress. 1t is spon-
sored by the Division of Cultural
Relations of the State Department,
and is one of a series of conferences
to bring the 81 American republics
closer together in the field of educa-
ton, music and art
Prof. Berrien regretted that the
Pan-American Union concerts pre-
sented by the service bands of this
country had, he said, produced an
effect opposite from that intended.
A tone poem or light piece of
music could scarcely be expected to
be played well by a military band,
he said.
Better Selection Asked.
Advocating a better selection of
Latin American music for such pro-
grams, the speaker said he was
grateful for the attempt made to
disseminate good will for Latin
America through such programs.
But he indicated the will and good
intent had been better than the
performance.
Opening the conference. DR.. Ben
M. Cherrington, chief of the Division
of Cultural Relations OF the Depart
ment of State said today that he
hoped the culture of Europe may be
preserved in the Western Hemisphere
so that when reconstruction begins
in Europe the American republics
may be able to hand back to Europe
the finest of its own achievements.
DR.. Cherrington outlined practical
means by which his division in the
State Department could bring the
American republics closer together
through an appropriation for send
ing graduate students and professors
from the United States to the Amer
icas.
Archibald MacLeish, new librarian
of Congress, in welcoming the con-
ference, said it would be we'll for
musicians and other leaders in cul-
tural life from the United States to
remember that audiences in Latin
America are sophisticated. He ex-
planned the work of the music divi-
sion of the Library of Congress and
its new Spanish division. expressing
the hope that both of them would
take active part in the betterment
of cultural relations among the
American republics.
Uruguyan Speaks.
The first speaker to discuss the
subject. What Are the Resources for
Inter- American Exchange in the
Field of Music was Francisco Curt
Lange of Montevideo, Uruguay.
Other speakers this morning on
interchange of music included Prof.
William Berrien of Northwestern
University and Charles Seeger of the
Works Projects Administration.
This afternoons program was to
include dicussion of How Can the
Wider knowledge of the Music of
the Americas Be Made Available?"
with DR.. Harold Spivacke, chief OF
the music division of the Library
OF Congress. presiding.
Mr.. and Mrs. Robert Woods Bliss
will entertain members of the con-
ference to reception and concert
by the Musical Art Quartet tonight
at Dunbarton Oaks in Georgetown
The conference will extend
through tomorrow with morning and
afternoon sessions.