Evening star., 1949-07-10
Music of Israel
Aided by Book
Authorization
by Alice Eversmon

by Alice EverSmon
The publication of Peter Graden-
Wits "The Music Of Israel" by
w. w. Norton Il Co. Of New York
comes at an appropriate time
Beside the interest manifest in
the new state of Israel and its
successful functioning. its artistic
plans will assume more and more
Importance in the world. Mr.
9radenwitz subtitles his work The
Rise and Growth Through Five
Thousand Years" and he is able
to give q much-needed background
for an understanding OF many
things connected with Jewish
culture. Its romance, and the
strange romance Of a people, are
traced with erudition through the
book.
In January of this year the
formation Of the Israel Music
Foundation was announced. It's
objective is to develop the talent
Of Israel and make 1t known
widely as also to maintain a re-
search department and a reference
library of Hebrew music and to
publish music and produce record
tnes. Exchange scholarships for
American and Israeli students will
be established. Among the Ameri-
cans serving on the Board OF
Trustees at the New York Office
are Fritz Reiner. Gladys Swartn-
out, Deems Taylor and Lawrence
Tibbett. At present the founda-
ton Is recording patriotic. folk
and art songs as well as liturgical
and symphonic works. These are
being made by the Israel Folk
symphony, Israel National Opera
and Chorus, Tel Aviv Workers
Chorus and Tel Aviv Trade Union
Chorus on American recording
equipment that has been shipped
to Tel Aviv.
Co.Workers In Development.
The Tel Aviv office is headed by
Marc Lavry whose great contri-
button to Hebrew musical develop
ment In the new state has been
emphasized by Mr.. GradenWitz
In his book. Also prominent on
the board are co-workers OF Mr.
Lavry for many years past such
as A. w. Binder, Harry Cooper
smith, Gershon Ephros, Max
Hoffman and Zavel zilberts. The
efforts of these men during the
last 80 years, the character OF
their contributions as composers
and musical leaders. are brought
out in the last chapter OF The
Music Of Israel" which Is entitled
"The Return to Zion"
The author is a musicologist
and composer with Phi. D. from
Prague University. At present he
is a lecturer and critic in Pales-
tine. From his wide study OF the
music of his people. he has COM
piled the first history OF this art
branch ever attempted. 1t is
bound UP with the religious life
through the centuries so that
reading the book one finds his
torical events side by side with
music culture. For several thou
sand years it followed one design
enriched, however. by the creative
individuality of the cantors. While
this is more generally known. the
folk and dance music Of the peo-
ple have received less considera-
ton from the hands Of historians
until Mr.. Gradenwitz showed how
answering was its influence.
From Days of Shepherd Flute.
Some of the most fascinating
reading in the book is found IN
the opening chapters. The author
begins in those far-off days when
the shepherd tribes played on
their flutes and composed poems
to be used as songs. The effect in
harmonic changes on their music
during the sojourn in Egypt and
the impetus left in the glorious
days of prosperity in Jerusalem
are clearly defined. "The history
cf Hebrew music, as well as the
history Of Israel's higher civiliza-
ton in general. begins with King
David's reign" says the author
and goes on to state that THE
Psalms have inspired a host of
musical compositions throughout
the ages-Jewish popular belief
and legend ascribed to David not
only the organization of the
musical service in the Temple but
also the invention Of musical
instruments"
From this point, he traces the
imprints left by Greek and Roman
culture. the Persian. Spanish and
Italian characteristics imbibed
through migrations to these coun-
tries until Hebrew music blossome6
out In the works Of Mendelssohn
Meyerbeer, Offenbach and other.
down to the time Of Mahler anc
Schoenberg. The schism in the re.
ligious body itself that followed
the prosperity Of the Jews in cen.
WARREN 2. JOHNSON, oRGAkIS7
CHURCH or THE PIlGRlMS
22nd 9 p Sts. NV. 7:3o o'cIoeI
Prelude and Fugue t6th Sonata
Josef RheinberGe