Evening star., 1946-05-19

Revives Old
Colonial Music
18th Century
Scores High Light
Historic Programs
By Alice Eversmon

Historic Programs
By Alice Eversmon
This past week has seen the re-
sumption Of the famed concerts in
Williamsburg, where the musical
spirit OF pre-Revolutionary times is
evoked In the historic Governors
Palace. The extensive restorations
begun over 10 years ago have re-
created the environment in which
lived many of this country's notable
men when the city was the capital
of the Virginia colony. In keeping
with the physical restoration is the
unearthing of entertainment fea-
lures OF the 18th century, among
which are the concerts of music OF
that period, which were duplicated
for number OF years before the
war came to disband them.
The Williamsburg festivals are
part of that general interest in the
past which has sprung up within the
last two decades and resulted in the
discovery of rare folklore riches in
this country The music heard in
Williamsburg, however, was of
more cultural aspect and quite on
a par with that popular in England
at that time. In fact, it was the
mother country that supplied her
colony with cultural material for
its aristocratic and well-educated
citizens. The colonists had their
harpsichords. spinets, violins, guitars
and flutes and the music of re-
nowned masters of the period with
which to continue the music making
they had known in London drawing
rooms.
Ships Brought Music Books.
Among the articles brought over
by ship in ITO are listed books Of
instruction on the harpsichord, vio-
lin and flute; songs with accompani-
ments, sonatas by Galuppi, Scho-
bert, Pugnani, Richter, Massinghi
and Pasquali; concertos, duets and
orchestra trios by Stamitz, concertos
by Vivaldi, solos by Corelli and
duets by lesser lights, such as Rel
nard and Barbella. Handel Ra-
meau, Purcell. Mozart, Haydn, Cou-
perrin and Tartini were not unknown
to the Williamsburg musicians at
that time. At the outbreak of the
Revolution three organs, harpsi-
chord. a piano-forte and other mu-
sical instruments" found their place
in the Palace of the Governors,
many of whom were skilled per.
formers and ardent music lovers.
/ The era wher music flourished in
the elegant homes Of Williamsburg
saw the birth of the first two Amer
lean composers, Francis Hopkinson
and William Billings. The former
was one of the great personages Of
his time, being also political figure
of importance. With the Revolu-
ton he became one of the signers
of the Declaration Of Independence.
a Judge of the Admiralty Court in
Pennsylvania. member of the
convention of 1877 which framed
the Constitution and later Secre-
tary of the Navy.
Noted Men Music Lovers.
i Side by side with his public life.
: he pursued musical composition,
, encouraged by his intimate associa-
tion with Washington, Benjamin
. Franklin and Jefferson, all three of
. whom were music lovers. The homes
. of these men knew many evenings
> of congenial music-making. beside
r the long hours of practice for its
perfecting In Mount Vernon hangs
a picture of the first President play
|, ing flute to the accompaniment OF
Nellie Gusts at the harpsichord, but
: his musical ability is disclaimed by
himself in a letter to Hopkinson. in
which he said. II can neither sing
nor raise a single note on any
, instrument
His adopted daughter was. how
ever, an accomplished player. a,
+, were also the daughters of Thomas
Jefferson. The latter. a proficient
violinist. and his wife often enter
tanned their friends with duets for
the former Mrs. Shelton played the
harpsichord exceptionally well. Most
of the prominent men and women
of that period cultivated taste for
| music which was constantly part
, of their official life and whatever
| was newly Forthcoming in that line
received their sanction and appre.
citation.
, There is much in the past mu-
j sical history of this country that
has been overlooked The predomi-
nance of the musical art in Europe
and the opportunities for study and
, performance offered there, started
, the European cult that has contin.
. ued until few years ago to influ.
ence American musicians actively. II
would not be bad idea if an organ
ization were formed to investigate
preserve and publiciZe what ha,
: been done III an advanced way ir
music since the Revolution.
Such material in the main. is al
hand for any one to study if they
! wish. But the point is. that few dc
: desire to do so. The symphonic
f works of our early composers are
never heard although recognition
was given them in Europe durins
their lifetime. What difference doe.
it make if that music falls short oi
J present standards? 1t is ours and We
= should be proud of it. Estimates oi
5 its value might change if it wer,
heard again. 1t is as worthy of re.
+, construction as that used durins
the palmy days of Williamsburg anc
with far more bearing on the ere.
ative development of this country
# The IHool