Evening star., 1948-01-04
Music Might
Offer Oscars
For Best Work
By Alice Eversmon


for special commendation the best
play, the best motion picture, the
best individual performance and
even to publicize the best dressed
women of the finished year. Awards
of considerable Importance often
accompany the selection and a great
deal is written as to the reasons Of
the choice. It has become the high
point of each years artistic en-
deavors in the theatrical world and
the fact that such national recogni-
tion will set apart individuals has
acted as q great incentive toward
perfection in performance.
No such attention has ever been
given to what Is being done in the
musical world. True, polls are taken
as to popular programs, artists and
orchestras that are heard on the
radio but what takes place In con-
cert circles seems purely concern
Of the individual community. It
would not be q bad idea, or an I'M
possible one, for q choice to be made
Of the best concert performance by
. recitalist, an orchestra or Of some
particular work. Composers receive
more encouragement by having
their last work singled out as the
most worthy of the year but no
similar appreciation Is given to
those in whose hands the presenta-
ton Of musical literature lies.
Needs Qualified Judges.
Concertizing artists, whose tours
take them into every city of promi-
nence in the country, usually pre-
pare q set Of numbers for these
performances. They are repeated
In toto many times or changes made
In programs to fit circumstances or
for other reasons. The stable reper-
toire Of orchestras Is heard continu-
ally for comparison and certainly
credit should be given when inter-
esting departures are made from 1t.
Lists have been made Of the num-
Der of American compositions, those
by foreigners or naturalized citizens,
played by orchestras but that Is
merely a question of number and
shows principally which organiza-
tions are active in furthering native
talent against the foreign.
There could be a real impetus
given to musical performances If
awards were given each year. The
selection would have to be probably
in the hands of critics since they
are the ones who, through more ex-
tensive hearing and comparison
than an individual experiences, have
o basis Of judgment. Unbelievable
as 1t may seem, critics rejoice in
fine performance and would well
come an opportunity to so testify to
q wider public than the local one.
They remember from year to year
how an artist performs and when
something superlative comes forth,
they cherish the memory.
Artist Always on Spot.
So many factors enter into al
public presentation that only those
constantly in touch with its various
facets can give an opinioned judg-
ment. They recognize at once when
an artist is not up to par, when
too great familiarity with a work
leads to an Indifferent performance
or when talent and thought are
present but not sufficiently pro-
jected Under present conditions
1t is not always the artists fault,
for a heavy concert schedule is
fatigueing and it is almost impos-
sible to be continually In the best
mood. Yet, the public does not
excuse him because he has played
several nights in a row and jour-
neyed during the day time. ALI that
matters is how he plays at the con-
cert the public attends.
Were the years standard of an
artists performances to be chosen
for Nationwide commentator or
his superlative presentation of some
work, he himself would be spurred
on to the highest efforts. 1t may be
claimed that this spur is felt con-
stantly by one who Is recognized
as an artist. But it is unfortunate
Ulldb lIldlly lCoO OIl UllCll ldb1 C1oJ al Z
content with their personal ideas
and let the public take it or leave it.
Mostly, the public takes 1t, for they
like the artist and the music and
have no wish to be too critical.
Vision Should Be Acclaimed.
It would not be unthinkable to
find that an unanimous opinion
could be had from all over the
country as to the character of
different artists performances. Or
chestras and ensembles are heard
from coast to coast and often are
identified with q superlative reading
of some work or types of works.
They should be so acclaimed as
well as for their vision and musi-
cianstip in championing the new in