Evening star., 1946-07-14

Interest in
Music Urged
Koussevitsky Echoes
Dvorak's Expression
For Federal Aid
By Alice Eversmon

III Ills duoi cSo dt Llle opening oX~
ercises of the Berkshire Music Gen.
ter June 30, DR.. Serge Koussevitzky,
the director said, Our world is hun
cry for spiritual food. But what
has been done by the Government
to satisfy this hunger? Is there
law preventing democratic govern
ments to support the fine arts?
None of the democratic governments
are concerned with this vital oues-
tlon-the subsidy of the arts-espe-
clally musical arts. Is it not time
for this Government, leading among
democracies, to give permanent
support to the fine arts?"
What Dr. Koussevitzky underscores
is question that assumes more
and more importance as music be-
comes firmly entrenched in the COM
munity life of the country. Agita-
ton for governmental interest in
fine arts is of long standing but
without result. However, the direc-
tors statement is too sweeping in its
assertion that None of the demo-
cratic governments are concerned
with this vital question:
Countries Set Example.
If no department of fine arts ac-
tually exists, other democratic gov
ernments have aided in the en-
couragement of music. In Paris. for
instance, there is the opera, subsi-
died in part by the government,
where DR.. Koussevitzky conducted
its orchestra and the Conservatoire
de Muslque founded in 1895 by the
Convention Rationale. Mexico has
its government owned Conservatory
of Music besides its Orouesta Sin
fonica, partly financed by the fed
eral district of Mexico which subsi-
dies. at the same time, Ell Bande de
Pollcla. The Opera House of Mexico
City and the renowned ones of Rio
de Janeiro and Buenos Aires are
outstanding examples of government
aid, In other Latin American re-
publlcs support has been given TO
national Conservatives, orchestras
and other means by which musical
culture can be disseminated.
If the Federal Government has
not taken cognizance of the impor-
tance of music in national life, in
dividual States with appropriat tions
made by State Legislatures have
done their part in fostering this
spiritual food" The Federal Gov
Vernment's lack of understanding
in this respect is apparent for when
the Bureau of Education. now part
of the Interior Department. was
created by Congress, it was for the
advancement Of education and the
mechanic arts" But music has
become of supreme Importance in
the spiritual life of the people these
last years and as Dr.. koussevitzkv
says later; To-day, in a period of
an unprecedented crisis in history,
when men find no common contact
and means Of understanding each
other. when all notions and values
have lost their former significance.
music is the element of unity
among men"
Dvorak Favored Action
As long ago as 1895. when IN the
second year of his dlrectorshlp OF
the National Conservatory in New
York, Anton Dvorak expressed him
self regarding the part he hoped
the Government would play in the
music development of this country,
The article appeared in the Feb
ruarv issue of Harpers New Month
ly Magazine. Already" the Bohe-
mian composer said, there are
enough public-spirited lovers of
music striving for the advancement
of this. their chosen art, to give rise
to the hope that the United States
of America will soon emulate the
older countries in smoothing the
thorny path of the artist and musi-
clan.
When that beginning has been
made. when no large city is without
its public opera house and concert
hall, and without its school of music
and endowed orchestra where native
musicians can be heard and judged.
then those who hitherto have had
no opportunity to reveal their talent
will come forth and compete with
one another till a real genius
emerges from their numbers, who
will be thoroughly representative Of
his country. When this is accom-
plished and when music has been
established as one of the reigning
arts of the land, another wreath of
fame and glory will be added to
the country which earned its name,
the Land of Freedom by un-
shackling her slaves at the. price
of her own blood"