Evening star., 1950-04-02

among the UldIly Ccicpi dllttiS
staged this year in commemora-
ton of Bach's 200th death ami
versary. none will interest the
musical world more than the fes-
tival announced in June at
Prades. France. which Pablo
Casals will direct. The programs
selected will be extensive but the
fact that Casals has consented to
appear once more in public is
what rejoiceS musicians, To honor
the great cellist. as we'll as the
early composer. friends in this
country and Europe have bent
every effort to make the festival
a success. The series of concerts
in the little village on a slope
of the Pyrenees will rival those
planned In the large music CEN
ters here and abroad.
Casals has been acclaimed for
many years as the greatest cellist
in the world. This is based not
only on his technical mastery but
more deeply still on his musician
ship. He has now added to his
fame by his patriotism. In these
days when many artists have sold
their honor for the sake of gain.
he has refused to propitiate those
he considered oppreSsors of his
country. To give force to his
stand. he chose voluntary exile
from Spain as long as Franco re-
manned in power. Furthermore. he
has refused to play in public even
when this country and England
make him many offers. He ex-
plains: Il love the Americans and
I love the British. I merely cannot
accept the fact that the American
and British governments have re-
lations with such a man as Franco
It would not be dignifled to 60
to these countries and earn money
under such circumstances"
Schneider Received Aid.
He chose to live as inconspicu-
ously as possible in the small
town of Prades, devoting his time
to helping other Spanish exiles, to
receiving old friends and a little
to teaching. Among the few STU
dents he accepted was Alexander
Schneider, formerly second violin
ist of the Budapest String Quartet.
Schneider studied during three
summers with Casals and the
fruits of his instruction were Wis
ible in the two programs featuring
the six violin sonatas by Bach
which Schneider gave in the Lii
brary of Congress in October 1t
was a revelation as regards the
content of the works and the new
quality In the violinist's playing
Casals has long been known
as perhaps the greatest exponent
of Bach. Others. such as Hinde-
NTH. have been likewise acclaimed
but 1t Is easy to understand
Casals' supremacy. He brings the
warmth and humanity of hi:
Spanish temperament to enhanc,
his musical understanding which
has been pre-eminent in othe
types OF music as we'll. Through
the character of his artistry, h
has been able to infuSe Bach
compositions with a glowing vital
ity and rare beauty too Otter
denied them in the pedagogue'
approach.
The World Goes to CaSals.
The devotion of Schneider t,
Casals made him resolve that i
the 73-year -old cellist would no
break his exile, he would bring tn,
musical world to him. He was in
strumental in forming the com
mittees, headed in this country b.
Elizabeth Sprague Coolidge. who
with CasalS' consent and cooper
alton, would arrange the festival
Such artists as Serkin, Szigcti
Stern and others are donating
their services. Among these notet
performers is Miecyslaw Horszow
ski, pianist, who played often OF
the programs of the LaborerS Con
cert Association which Casal
founded about 20 years ago. These
concerts were organized in BARGE.
Iona for day laborers and factor,
hands who can prove themSelve.
such.' The programs were OF {
high order, nearly always featur'
ing Bach, and designed with nj
concessions to the popular taste.
The Prades festival will be helt
in the cathedral with the Arch.
bishop Of Perpignan's permission
The programs will cover nearly al
Of the instrumental works by Bach
and few cantataS. Besides the
soloists, there will be an orchestrs
of 38 players. Casals himself will
play the six unaccompanied cell