Evening star., 1946-07-28
.Kindler's Visit
in
Musical Life
By Alice Eversmun


clusion of the National Symphony
concerts at the Water Gate and
the return of its permanent con-
ductor, DR.. Hans Kinder. rom a
guest conducting tour in Latin
America. Both events have sig
nificance in the local musical life,
the ending Of the 10th season at
the Water Gate marking mile
stone in the symphony's history and
the wider recognition Of DR.. Kp1-
ler's work which, in its conducting
phase, began and grew with the
foundation and promotion Of the
local group.
DR.. Kindler's trip to the republics
to the south has had a deeper mean
ing from those undertaken by otne-
symphony conductors. He comes
from the Nations Capital where Is
housed the Pan American Union,
specially created to foster kinsiip
between the peoples Of this hemis-
phere. This was felt TO certain
degree in the different countries
where he appeared as illustrated in
review in La Prensa OF his concert
in Lima, Peru. The critic wrote:
With memories of the other con-
ductOrs still fresh, there was great
anxiety to hear and appraise the
technical caliber of a maestro who.
because OF his position, undoubtedly
enjoys a high prestige Hence the
warm reception he had from the
moment he assembled the podium."
Maestro Had No English.
The National Symphony returned
the courtesy extended its conductor
by inviting the Mexican composer
conductor, Jose VasQuez. TO lead the
symphony in two concerts. This
had its difficulties, for Mr.. Vasque1
spoke no English and during re-
hearsals Jan Tomasow, the concert
master, who was born in Buenos
Aires, served as interpreter. Mr..
Vasquez programmed several works
by Mexican composers, including
one Of his own. Not familiar with
the essence Of the music and play
Ing 1t for the first time with limited
rehearsals, the work of the orchestra
members was complicated by not
being able to get directly the In
dicatlons from the conductor. It
was equally taxing for Mr.. Vasouez
in the American numbers, especially
those OF the soloists. and his mu-
steamship is to be admired in ths
manner in which he overcame the
obstacles
The orchestras conducted bv DR..
Kinder were more fortunate, for he
has fluent command of several Ian
guages to which some Spanish was
added undoubtedly before he left,
and certainly enlarged during his
visit. Furthermore, accustomed to
the varied caliber of orchestras, in
which men from all countries come
together, his ability to meet them
on their own ground was of valus
on his recent trip. One review SAYS:
The public acclaimed the maestro,
and the orchestra, docile and DOW
erful instrument in his hands, par
ticipated in the triumph"
Weather Affects Attendance.
The cold weather in the beginning
of the Water Gate season and its
uncertainty often during the fol-
lowing weeks may have accounted
in part for the small audiences in
attendance. Another factor is the
transportation problem.
The programs were well planned.
with leaning to the brighter side,
which should have been appealing
musical fare for the summer. When
symphonies were included, they were
the popular ones: Tschaikousky's
Fourth" Dvorak's New World"
Schuberts Unfinished" Brahms
First" Mozart's "Haffner" and Nos.
"a and Al. The only novelty was
Khrennikov's Symphony No. J."
Dorothy Maynor and Alec Temple
ton. among the soloists. drew the
largest crowd and the most popular
programs were the Tschaikowsky
and the Gershwin, as usual.
The life of any organization such
as the National Symphony depends
on the public. Conductors and man
ayers strive TO please it by selecting
numbers that will appeal to the
audience. while broadening its
knowledge by including new works
from time to time. 1t would be help
full if the public sometimes expressed
its wishes keeping in mind that the
same numbers could not be repeated
too often and that standard must
be retained. Simply not going to
concert because the program does
not appeal is no way to get what
one wants. With some cooperation,
there should be no reason why the
standard of the Symphony could
not be maintained and progress
made, and the people satisfied at
: H.. -.