Evening star., 1944-01-30
Events in Music
/ Ballots Conductor
Has Novel Idea
For Accompaniment
By ALICE EvERsMAN.

S6IW COIIlC6 W NOI16tlLutlOU k4Au
this week, the musical accompani-
ment win be provided by q sin
fonietta organized and tried out last
season with success by the con-
ductor and musical director Of the
organization, Franz Alters. The
novel idea was the outcome Of the
conditions Of wartime travel and
although the management backed
the conductor wholeheartedly in his
new venture, there was bound to
Be some skepticism as to its ef1ec-
tiveness and appeal. It proved to be,
however, one Of the most popular
features Of the tour, for the sin
fonietta played interludes Of SYM
phonic music between the ballet
numbers.
The young Czech conductor,
whose career began as . symphonic
conductor and with the Berlin Phil
harmonic at that, always had a
feeling that the music for q ballet
production should be as important
as the rest Of the program. He
wanted to gather together q select
group OF inatrumentalists of strength
and musicianship and make musical
arrangements based upon that
strength. The war made such an
idea feasible and Mr.. Alters pro-
ceeded to put his plan into execu-
ton. Provided with q musical group
ready for any emergency, his most
cherished desire for musical In
terludes also became possible and
with the type Of artists under his
direction saved the day several
times.
One Of these times was In Day.
ton, Ohio. when neither the trunk
with their clothes or the music
trunk arrived. There were also no
double bass or drums. The con-
ductor was dismayed since all he
had was q piano score and the
tried experience Of his men. Moth
ing daunted, he gathered his musi-
clans around the piano and the
performance by memory took place
Of works Of Tschaikowsly, Glazou-
nov and even Copland's tricky score
for ''Rodeo."
The latest prominent artist to be
eliminated from the concert stage
for the duration Is Albert Spalding
When he plays here as soloist with
the National Symphony on February
6, it will be one Of the last appear
ances he will make. Early in the
spring he will 60 abroad for special
service in the Psychological War
fare Branch Of the Allied Forces in
the position Of assistant and coun-
selor to the civilian head Of PWB
Spalding did important work during
the last war as aide to Capt. La
Guardia and this time, as in those
days, he will be stationed In the
Italian theater Of operations where
his long residence In italy and fam
iharity with the language will stand
him In good stead.
How are the professional musicians
going to get back into public work
after their honorable discharge from
the armed forces? This has beer
10 much discussed question but the
flrst action Is being taken by Cap<
Cod Musical Arts Center, Eas,
Brewster, Mass.-This organization
with Catherine G. Crocker as man.
aging director and Ralph w. Stone
As artistic director, win open q music
camp On June 20 where those al.
ready out Of active service may e
through q course Of musical re.
|hAbdlitation and regain the feel
|of public performances. The build.
ing Of the center accommodates 15t
people and besides opportunities
for active participation in perform.
ances there is an invigorating sports
program arranged for.
Alec Templeton, whom c. G. Cap.
pei will bring to Constitution Hal
for another recital on February IS
is a collector of music boxes, o1
which he has nearly a hundred
Also, like Sir Thomas Beecham, he
has music In every corner Of his
house, mellow chimes and Ginning
clocks abounding besides the piano
radio and record player with ar
extensive library Of records. In
these surroundings the gifted com.
poser-pianist works at his seriou,
compositions and programs and
thinks up his delightfully."- humorous
sketches.