Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1949-01-16
PoliticalStigma
Blocks Artists
Seeking Favor
By Alice Eversmon

poEtant is the artist than the man?
These two musicians. the conduc-
to-. and the pianist, remained in
Germany during the war following
their profession in apparent COM
fc-,. The announcement of Furt-
Wsengler's engagement as conduc-
tor of the Chicago Orchestra and
OF the return to this country Of
{ ing for concert tour, aroused
a storm of protest. The answer OF
the interested in promoting theil
~eerances here was based on the
p:- mise that art and artists SHOULD
be above all political bondage ano
til any shortcomings of theirs or
thi~ side would interfere in no way
with their stature as artists.
Fundamentally, perhaps. this is
correct. Both these musicians were
exonerated from actual membership
In the NaN party and their decision
to stay in Germany was supported
by family considerations. me Of
this, however. changes the let that
they not only elected to stay in a
Nazi-dominated country but man.
aged to do very we'll while t'iere
How this would be possible j. there
was a shadow of a doubt as to their
svmpathies with the regime is diff
cult to understand. Common sense
would lead to the belief that tacit
approval was present of sufficient
c"e5ibility to silence any suspicion
to the contrary.
Others Chose q Rocker Road.
1t is not pleasant to- contemplate
these once honored artists and think
Of the suffering Of others at the
same time. They are not alone,
however. in the infamous choice they
made. Possibly later it will be neces-
sary to decide what attitude to take
toward the others. Nevertheless,
careers have been wrecked, families
disbanded, and untold suffering been
encountered by many musicians who
would not subscribe to a false ideol-
ogy. Circumstances may have forced
them to a decision but life might
have been easier had they submitted.
The lot Of none OF those compelled
to fee or to undergo imprisonment
was without suffering.
1t would seem plausible that those
who co-operated with the Nazis en-
joyed all the comforts available.
Now that this is no longer possible,
and most of Europe is unable to
yield monetary return for their art,
their thoughts turn to the United
States. Can Americans listen TO
them again and forget their past?
If so, we are in bad state. 1t Is
not possible to separate the man and
artist when he willingly prostituted
his art. The claim is, they could
do no less. But others refused and
paid dearly for it. These artists
did not refuse and were paid hand
somely. Are these men to speak
through music of all idealiStic feel
ing. of honor, courage or spirituality?
II is about time that Americans re-
captured the fearlessness and right
eousness of their forefathers, re-
membered what they suffered for
their principles, and refuse to con-
done any one who seeks to sacrifice
honor in the name of art.
Dr.. Kinder Is Praised
By PHILADELPHIA Critics
1t is to be hoped DR.. Hans Kinder
never seriously meant his assertion
that he never reads reviews of his
concerts. If this be so, he has
missed some very fine things said
about him on the occasion last week
of his appearance as guest conductor
of the Philadelphia Orchestra. The
Philadelphia music reviewers chron-
icled what the audience felt when
they speak of the royal and rous-
ing reception given him and Of the
heart warming welcome home for
the former first cellist of the Phila-
delrhia Orchestra who is now con-
ductor OF the National Symphony of
Washington"
Linton Martin in the Philadelphia
INQUIRER says:
DIR. Kinder is a podium person.
atty of power and persuaciveness.
His individual equipment Of sin
cerity, skill and sensitivity, plus the
power to communicate those quail
tiles to the instrumentalists, kept
each composition constantly alive.
. If DR.. Kindler's conducting is
on the conservative side and ro-
bustly masculine, that Is sound and
satisfying. =" He speaks of the
reading OF the Brahms Fourth
Symphony" as robust" and "a
richly rewarding experience"
Max de Schauensee of the Evening
Bulletin wrote: The Fourth under
DR.. Kindlers direction, was spacious,
deliberate, serious and musicianly in
concept"
In this praise 1t is pleasant to
Washington critics to find their own
views confirmed. There is this diff
ference, however. We, in Washing
ton, know what DR.. Kinder has
dore with an orchestra constantly
being reshaped and in the process
of growth In Philadelphia he had
an experienced, highly trained and
skillful group on which to exercise
his talents. Taking this into con-
sideration, it is possible for the
local musical scribes to preen them
selves on a discernment that anti
dates the Philadelphia engagement
by many years. Once again he has
put Washington on the musical map
and wherever he goes 1t will be the
same.
A