Evening star., 1946-10-13
Beecham Stirs Up
Reaction toDiatribe
On American Ways
By Alice Evesmun

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By Alice Evesman
Sir Thomas Beecham, who has
been getting into print frequently In
the last months, again has stirred
up strong reactions by his views on
America published in July in the
New York Times Magazine. This
months issue of Musical Digest car
ries an answer to his criticism Of
the musical situation here, which Ii
included in the general diatribe
against American ways and institu.
tions.
1t may be true, as Sir Thomas
says in the Times article, that
Americans betray their perennial
youthfulness and disinclination to
grow up in nothing so conspicuous
ly as their dislike of criticism as
well as their incapacity to give it
ear without throwing at once at
Of high indignation" The Musical
Digest counters this with: For all
Of his so years Of sojourning In the
United States, which he assures US
he has adopted as his own, Sir
Thomas has never sensed the spirit
of the New World" And further,
Our own country has long been too
critical Of pronouncements of visit
ing lecturers especially II those
tourists posture appropriately and
appear to be invested with the au-
thority of art or music"
The least that can be said Of Sir
Thomas expression of his views IL
that it is in bad taste. ''If he under
stands Americans" says the Musical
Digest editorial, "he has exhibited
his comprehension in strange ways;
by typical outbursts at functions, by
growls, barks and nips. Perhaps he
really loves us. But the hammered
bluntness Of Beecham, his corrosive
on life among the ma
tives, rs he sees it, have long tested
our tolerance and hospitality. Even
genius must possess good manners.
Now They Come for Refuge.
We have been subjected to this
type of criticism many times in the
past and will be In the future. It
became the fashion, before the war.
for conductors and artists to seek
in the United States
knowing that in one season they
could earn enough to retire in. COM
fort should they wish to do so. Now
they are come for refuge to this
for q chance to live and
work without fear, and for the good
livelihood they are assured here.
They have been welcomed and
helped, even to the sacrifice of ma
tive talent, and with that peculiar
type of homage that only an Amer
lean would be inspired to give.
1t is understandable that our way
Of" living is new and foreign to them.
even to such cosmopolitan as Sir
Thomas. There may be some excuse
In his forming narrow opinion OF
things American for he has been
to certain extent, to q
particular circle. But the others are
making their homes here and shar-
ing the daily life of their neighbors.
They are getting an inside view and
one wonders how 1t win benefit
them.
War Severed Allegiance.
Most American musicians have
been happy to have the celebrities
of other nations In their midst. They
have hoped to learn from them and
that they, on their side, would con-
tribute to the still greater musical
of this country. But
will this be the case? viii they use
their talent and our material to
create something fresh and vital or
will they try to bend us, back to the
pattern undoubtedly cherished with
all the other dear things they hays
lost? We do not want to return to
the old. The war has severed our
allegiance and put us ON our own
feet.
It is to be desired that foreign
musicians will regard the old atti-
Jude toward this country as a closed
chapter. From now on most OF them
will be American citizens and the
musical life of this country will be
their concern. There Is need OF less
criticism and more deeds. We can
earn quickly and are anxious to
earn. If they can teach US, let
hem do so according to our stand
lrds and make use Of our means.
They must not, as the Digest's edi-
,orial continues, miss the true ss-
,ence and spiritual kinship with the
solitary men and women who have
the Nation enlightenment
n music and other arts In the face
Il obstacles which can hardly b