Evening star., 1947-09-14
Carnegie HALF
Offers Lessons
To Musicians
By Alice Eversmon

Another triumph has been added
to HoIywood's attempt to bring good
music to the masses in the produc-
; ton of Carnegie Hall which was
shown at the Warner Theater last
week. If it also bears the mark of
appeal to the gallery, it's more worth
while intention is not negated. In
fact, it escapes the crudities of other
pictures based on biographical or
historical facts when the producers
could not resist the temptation to
glamorize personalities and situa-
t1ons in the present day sense Be-
sides familiarizing the general pub
lie with the great talent in the music
world, 1t may serve also as an incen-
tive to many hesitating musicians
to strive for higher goal
i The selections played or sung were,
in way, the tidbits of these artists
repertoire and were chosen for their
quick appeal. Yet they represented
the consummation of years of grueI-
ing industry and hard-won expert
ence. 1t is doubtful how many
recognized this fact under the spell
of RubinStein's flashing technique, 4
Heifetzs amazing velocity and the
charm and pu1chritude of Lily Pons
and Rise Stevens. They may have
seemed no more than dexterous Jug
glers using instruments or voice
rather than the customary para
phernalia. They are, however, not
only unusual talents but masters of
their craft who have gained their
supreme place through hard work
and determination.
| Iron Nerves Necessary.
To be able to submit to the close
up camera needs firmly established
technique, an iron nerve and COM
plete consciousness of ability. A
false move in a concert hall can be
passed over in such way as to re-
main unnoticed but in such photog-
raphy as was used in Carnegie
Hall one slip would ruin ALL Only
artists routined by years of public
appearances and sure of themselves
could have ventured a detailed pic
turization of their performance. The
lesson to be learned Is that fairly
good mechanical control and a Ger
tain amount of experience is not
enough in the final analysis.
Perhaps the most astonishing
portions of the picture to any who
knows otherwise was tire insouciant |
manner in which all the conductors
directed the orchestra. They had
far-away looks in their eyes and
they had graceful gestures but none
of that grim determination most
leaders possess in striving for perfect
musical interpretation In fact, after
viewing the mighty efforts of the
individual sections of the orchestra,
one wondered why bother with some
one so detached to direct. This was
probably another instance of Holly
woods thought in terms of an at
tractive picture.
Harpists Out Of Rhythm.
There was also the sequence when
Gregor Piatigorsky played Saint
Saen's THE Swan" to the accompa-
niment OF bevy of attractive harp
lists. Some of these made motions
utterly apart in tempo and rhythm
from the actual accompaniment and
one wondered again if such a nored
cellist as Piatigorsky would ever
voluntarily choose such a setting
Surely no concert of his in Carnegie
Hall would be staged in this manner.
The story of the movie might seem
to be overshadowed by the indi-
vidual performances of the famed
artists, conductors and orchestra.
But for those already familiar with
virtuosity on the concert platform,
it was a strong theme and a great
truth. Talent can not be forced and
wisdom lies in recognizing which
direction it should take. The gist of
the story was the widespread un-
happiness caused by mothers un-
bounded ambition that her son
should be an artist comparable to
all the great ones heard in the
famous hall. The quality of talent
and the personal disposition of the
individual possessing it is the de-
termining factor in every career.
A Lot for a Little.
Hollywood is doing good work In
breaking down the barrier that
exists between the greater part of
the public and high class music. If
there could be criticism of some of
the details of its methods they are
of minor concern in view of the i'm
portance of the idea involved. To
gather such an array of high priced
artists together represents almost
seasons outlay by local managers.
That diversified public has the op-
portunity to see and hear them for
the price of movie ticket is GER
tainly in line with the often eX-
pressed desire for lower admission
rates for concerts. This Is not often
possible when individual bureaus
are sponsoring series but with the
gain of greater audience through
movie publicity. the end may be at
tainable finally.
The showing Of Carnegie Hall at
the Warner Theater last week
brought several young Washington
musicians into the limelight in
round about way. Preceding the
advent of the picture, local con-
test was held for the choosing Of a
local talent to COM
pete nationally for scholarship Of
fered by Boris Morros, film producer.
1t was won by 17-year-old Ronald
K. Arnatt whose musical grounding
has been sufficiently comprehensive
for the young pianist to plan for a
composing career. While Hollywood
made it's little stir locally in this
fashion, it undoubtedly has had a
lasting influence on the lives OF
many others throughout the coun-
try wherever the picture was shown. :