Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1947-08-24

trees Oh the way 10 CIle camp. 1ney
enter q stone portaled gate and
wind around a sparkling lake along
which the campsite is laid. Another
steep decline and parking space is
reached, as rustic in its simplicity as
is everything connected with this
valorous undertaking.
For the opening concerts, the foot
of the stage was banked in balsam
boughs with huge vases of North
Carolina's famous gladioluses glowing
warmly along the foothghts. The
sweet perfume of warm pine and Of
balsam permeated the shed and the
night voices held their own SYM
phony in the grass, trees and bushes
bordering the site. Several times
during the concerts. rain fell with
gentle taps on the roof. but the audi
ence sat snugly protected inside.
The unfinished wooden background
given the orchestra allowed the mel
lowest qualities Of the aggregated
instruments to be heard and the
effect was of unusual beauty of tone.
Istomin Among Soloists.
Soloist on the first program was
Eugene Istomin. the young pianist
who made such an impression at
the Water Gate last summer. His
solo vehicle was the Beethoven
Concerto No. 4" on a program con-
tanning the "Egmont" overture and
the Symphony No. o. Mr.. Isto-
Minis performance was brilliant
technically and enriched with q
ripe consciousness of the music. In
the latter respect, the young artist
has matured greatly. All OF Brevard
and the surrounding country turned
out to welcome back Adelaide Van
Wey, Brevard-born contralto. who
sang effectively folk songs and
spirituals to the orchestra's accom-
paniment.
Called at the last minute to sub
stitute for Frances Yeend, soprano,
who was prevented by illness from
making her appearance Sunday, the
charming mezzo-soprano. Nan Mer-
riman, scored a triumph in three
arias and several encores. Miss
Merriman is one OF the most vital
Of the young singers of today. gifted
with a glorious voice and a strongly
attractive personality. In the four
years since her appearance here in
Continental Memorial Hall. she has
forged steadily forward both ar
tistically and vocally. Both the
singers sang again at an informal
reception at the home of Mrs. Henry
N. Carrier, president of the Festival
Association, following the concert.
$50 Apply for Orchestra.
The Brevard Festival is only two
years old. In preparation for this
Summers series, Mr.. Pfohl had
more than 100 applications from
orchestra men over the country. He
selected his players carefully and
among those chosen were six from
the National Symphony. These
were Wayne Balmer, bass; Norman
Greenhouse and Dorothy Bird Tay-
lor, violins; John Loughlin, tim
PIANIST: Helen Bulls, cello, and
Kenneth Pasmanick. bassoon. The
first violist was Norman Lamb. who
will occupy the same chair in the
National Symphony next season
and Leo Panasevich, formerly with
DR.. Kindler's group, was assistant
concertmaster.
Many of the members are teachers
or artist students In the Transyl-
vania Music Camp. They come in
informal clothes for the rehearsals
and gather in groups in far off cor
ners of the grounds for individual
practice. But at night both men
and women are CARRIED in spotless
white and there Is nothing Of the
summer vacation spirit in their
playing. The brass and woodwind
sections are particularly fine and
play with finesse.
In the distance. on one side OF
the grounds, looms high mountain
On a gentle incline at its base Is
a large space ringed with noble
trees. 1t Is here that a larger am
phitheater Is planned for the fu-
ture. spacious enough to accommo-
date thousands instead of hundreds
When it is built 1t will be a labor
of love in the cause of music by
the progressive minded citizens OF
the community led by the knowl-
edge and farsightedness of Mr.
EfohI