Evening star., 1950-07-30

SEEM I1ldL OLIl6T 6leIIleNGS operated
also and may be indicative of
new trend in audience response.
The pattern of the Watergate
programs, have become Stereo-
typed to a certain degree. Since
1914 Rachrnaninoff'S Concerto
No. 2" and TschaikowSky's Con-
certo in B Flat Minor" have been
played by piano Soloists each sea-
son. There can be little variety
in the annual GershWin program
or even in the ever popular one
of TschaikoWsky'S music. Further
more, the idea that a summer
audience wants only to be enter
tanned colors the choice of the
symphonies that are played and
the other numbers that round out
the program. Even when a Metro
politan Opera singer appears. the
greater number of his selections
are of the popular kind that any
student might sing.
Other Interests Compete.
It is possible that the public is
outgroWing its liking for these
old war horses. Better and more
comprehensive programs are Of
fered it on the radio which can
be listened to in much more COM
fort. There is also the fascina-
ton of television to be reckoned
with and which bids fair to de-
plete concert audiences still more.
How potent an influence radio
and television will exert on the fu-
ture course of concert giving re-
mains to be seen but its effect is
already being manifested.
The Sesquicentennial had
splendid opportunity to garner
audiences for these events which
it did not appreciate. Many State
Days fell on dates near those of
the Symphony concerts. This
could have been played up by
programming works by composers
from those States or by the Sc
lection of a well-knoWn artist
from that territory. A survey
proved this to be feasible since
several artists and contemporary
composers hailed from States be-
ing honored at that time. To in
vite the States participation
would have offered the kind of ex-
cuse for a trip to Washington
that Americans delight in. 1t
would have been excellent adver-
tising also for the National Sym
phony.
Contemporaries Unheard.
Since the Sesquicentennial pre-
supposes a celebration of the en-
tire period of Washington as the
Nations Capital, it would have
been timely to glance back at the
composers who gained prominence
during that time. 1t is mistake
to think that Americas zeal in
music is confined to the last half
century in spite of the remarkable
strides made in those years. Still
living in 1900 were Macdowell.
Chadwick, Critics, Henry Gilbert,
Horatio Parker, Nevin and John
Knowles Paine, all of whom had
received wide public recognition
in their earlier years. Their
works are seldom heard if at all.
We have no opportunity to gauge
their talent from our present-day
enlightenment.
Had the symphony's programs
been devised so as to attract the
attention of the entire country,
it is possible that support from
the various States would have
been forthcoming. There is no
reason why Washington and the
Watergate should not be a gath
ering place for music lovers COM
parable to that at Tanglewood
were an effort to be expended to
promote it. 1t takes planning. but
it can be done. Of course, the
weather hazards at the Watergate
must always be considered. But
that too could be met if some ener-
getic pressure were brought to
bear on authorities.
Future Safeguard.
A shelter can be erected for the
Watergate audiences. Emerson
Meyers, head of the Music Com
mittee of the Sesqui, tried to have
it done. Money was spent instead
for the Rock Creek amphitheater
which will not benefit the SYM
phony. Such an undertaking takes
money but it is to be believed that
returns on the investment would
be ample and grow with the years.
It is no use saying, 1T can't be
done" 1t can be done. If no
one will attempt it, then we must
be reconciled to the existing musi-
cal status and the constant deficits
that eat into the sustaining fund
~