Evening star., 1950-12-31

Inc year that ends today has
been a good one. musically speak
ing, for this city. New ideas have
poured into Washington via the
concert programs, some fine talent
has been introduced to the public
and in many ways, this year has
been marked by an alert, forward
looking interest in music and a
welcoming attitude toward what
fresh paths 1t might take. AL
though we, in company with the
whole world. stand waiting, and
uncertain of the future, there is
pride to be felt in the accomplish
ments of the past IL months.
For one thing, the Nations Cap
1tal is gradually becoming recog-
nized as a music center. Even
politics, which controls to some
extent cultural advancement be-
cause its influence and decisions
influence the country's personal
life, has assisted at the establish
ment of this status. Many visit
Ing groups and individual artists
have found it worth while to be-
gin their American careers in
Washington. AS the new year
opens. the first of these will be the
American debut concert next Sun
day of the Israel Philharmonic
Orchestra.
This orchestra has had the good
fortune to be helped by two of
the greatest conductors of the day
-Toscanini and Koussevitzky.
The former Travelled to Tel Aviv
when the organization was an
infant, bearing the name of the
Palestine Symphony Orchestra,
to conduct it, refusing all re-
muneration-even travelling ex-
penses. The whole country was
swept with enthusiasm for his
performances. People journeyed
many miles to hear him and
twins that were born in Tel Aviv
were named "Tosca" and Mini
in his honor. Koussevitzky not
only flew to Israel to direct it but
gave a month of his time to pre-
pare it for its present tour of 10
weeks which begins Sunday in
Constitution Hall. Now a full
fledged and experienced group,
its name has been changed to one
identifying it with the country it
represents.
Gave Musicians Hope.
While the Israel Philharmonic
has covered itself with glory un-
der the batons of many renowned
conductors, the man who estab-
1ished it, the late Bronislaw HUI
herman. must not be forgotten
One of the great violinists of his
day, Huberman devoted the la1
years of his life to an important
charitable work. Seeing the de-
struction of Jewish musicians
under the Nazis, he sought to give
them new hope, as well as
refuge by organizing an orchestra
in Israel. This was in 1886 when
misery and fear was the portion of
these musicians. AS soon as the
news spread that an orchestra was
forming, requests to join poured in
from 13 different countries. From
Germany, first desk men of the
Berlin Philharmonic, the Frank
fort Museumgesellschaft, the Mu-
mich Weisbaden, Koenigsberg,
Hamburg and Dresden orchestras
were soon recruited.
Huberman called it IAN orches-
ira of leaders" He said further:
"In Palestine, with the founding
of this extraordinary orchestra
q bright future in the world of
music is foreseen. 1t is expected
that, in conjunction with the Or
chestra, international festivals of
music and drama will be held in
which classical and modern works
of Biblical subjects will be per-
formed on their historic natural
scenes" The stimulus which HUI
herman hoped for the country has
come to pass.
With resident body of cul-
tured musicians as a spur, there
has been a resurgence of every
form of music among the people.
In the larger cities, programs of
Jewish music were given regularly
by chamber music groups and
choral societies. Training orches-
tras for young people and for
the workers have been established
to supply members for the Phil
harmonic when necessary. Many
large choruses have sprung up
throughout the country for the
express purpose of cultivating ma
tive songs. Opera and the dance
were revived and folk festivals
were held. Composers have been
encouraged and prizes given for
outstanding new works. A vast
musical life has developed in
Israel because Huberman had
courage, compassion ana ulUld-
tive.
Anthem on Program.
The Israel Philharmonic is
flying to New York in three
planes. It has been rehearsing
under Leonard Bernstein's direc-
tion for many weeks, and on its
arrival will continue under Kous-
sevitzky. The program in Con-
stitution Hall will open with the
first performance in this country
of the Israel national anthem,
"Katiqvah," or "The Hope" Ac-
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