Evening star., 1944-08-13
Music
Notes
National Anthem
Is Interpreted
In Many Ways
b. Alice Eversman.

One Of the most interesting de-
velopments in the musical world
since the beginning Of the war is
the variety Of Interpretations given
the national anthem. What had
been for the majority of Americans
a revered song that nevertheless
was intoned or played without ar
t!stic intentions has now been
treated TO exhaustive thought to
beautify and, it is to be feared, to
elevate its musical status. If Beeth-
oven, Brahms or Mozart have re-
ceived Indifferent performances
lately, THE Star Spangled Banner"
Introduces the programs with
highly polished If personalized pres
entation.
Some Of these have sought to
give the anthem a hymn-like So
nority while others have made 1t
a brisk, inspiring tune designed to
stir up every ounce of latent patriot
ism. Quartet organizations have
worked out their own harmoniza-
ton particularly noticeable in the
instrument that might easily be lost
in the ensemble. Orchestra con-
ductors have their ideas, some of
which tend to variations in tempt
and originality in dynamics. One
or two arrangers have gone to
lengths to introduce unexpected
harmonies which clearly disturb the
60 vr,l1o rx,,t
the instrumentalists.
While the public in general
knows the etiquette to be observed
during the performance, many indi-
viduals are lacking in respect when
they refuse to stop where they are
until the playing of the a,S,hem is
finished. For musicians, the ques-
tion of to stand or not to stand
when performing has not yet been
fully decided. The cello section of
the Philadelphia Orchestra man
ages to play very well on its feet,
but in most orcheStras the cellos
remain seated Some chamber
music groups stand with the excep-
ton of the cello but a limited few
have been known to keep their seats |
1t Is fortunate that the sentiment |
regarding the anthem is SO deeply
enshrined in every Americans heart |
that questions of its musical value
cannot affect it. Good music or
bad, it is symbol Of all we hold |
dear and as such receives its in
depreciation in the soul and mind |
of each individual. To rise to ones |
feet and stand at attention is a
natural impulse of respect and rev.
erence.
Brahms Seldom Heard.
What has happened to the pop
ularity of Brahms? Are his COM
positions only to be heard when |
in a serious frame of mind or have
the artists and conductors no spe-
cial liking for him. His name has
been conspicuously absent from the
summer programs, none of his
chamber music having been per-
formed on the Starlight series at
Meridian Hill Park and only two
of his lesser works gracing the
program at the Water Gate.
C. c. Cappel In resume of the !
seasons programs at Meridian Hill |
Park Wednesday mentioned that
no Tschaikowsky and no Brahms
has been played. The all-Tschai-
kowsky program at the Water Gate
proved to be the most popular of |
that series, drawing the biggest
crowd. To be sure, the numbers
played were familiar to everyone
through the arrangements made by
the swing bands. But there were
many serious musicians present who .
enjoyed it also and were not
ashamed to admit it.
Except for the Academic Festi- .
val Overture" and the Variations
on theme by Haydn" nothing
more important from the Brahms /
literature was scheduled by the Wis
iting conductors of the Water Gate
Symphony. Symphonies by Bee
thoven and MendelsSohn were PLAYED
and quantity of odds and ends, but
the noble Brahms was ignored. 1t
may be that, through experience,
the conductors have learned sum- |
mer audiences are not Brahms
minded or it may be that the per-
formance of his symphonies requires
more rehearsals than could be given
this summer. 1t is better to believe
that than that appreciation of the i
great composer is waning.