Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1951-02-12
Symptoms nub
Denied byState
Department
Orchestra Choice
For AurioI's Visit
Preeipitotes Row

A storm of protest that has
arisen over arrangements to have
the Boston Symphony Orchestrs
play for President Auriol Of
France prompted the State De.
partment today to say it hae
nothing to do with the matter.
The choice of the Boston rather
than the National Symphony Or.
chestra to perform on March g.
for President Auriol during hi
visit here yesterday was termet
IAN incredible breach of thu
amenities in the world of music.
Patrick j. Hayes, local concert
manager and former manager o.
the National Symphony, broad.
cast that description of the ar.
rangement in declaring thai
some one in the State Depart.
ment has set himself or herself
up as the musical arbiter for the
Nation"
The State Department promptly
denied the accusation and, insisted
it had not the slightest intention
of snubbing Washington's orches-
ira.
Idea Originated in Boston.
According to both the State
Department and the French EN-
hassy, the idea for the concert
originated with the Boston Sym
phony Orchestra and its French
conductor, Charles Munich.
A French Embassy spokesman
said that Mr.. Munich wrote French
Ambassador Henri Bonnet two
months ago saying he would like
to play for the President of France
and asking if President Auriol
would be able to attend.
1T was a very nice offer" said
the Embassy spokesman. I'VE
were very glad to accept it."
The Embassy official said the
Boston offer was discussed with
the White House and with the
State Department. where ar
rangements for President Auriol's
schedule in Washington are being
completed.
March 81 Found Open.
The State Department Informed
the Embassy that Saturday
March 81, was an open night anc
the Embassy wrote the Boston
Symphony that President Aurio
could attend the concert.
The Embassy said it understood
all arrangements for the concert
were then made by the Boston
Symphony and the State Depart
ment described it as a CONNER
cial venture" underwritten by the
Boston Symphony Society.
In a formal statement, the
State Department said it would
like to make clear that certain
statements in the press" about the
forthcoming concert "are not
based on facts"
The department said it has not
been approached by any musical
organization wishing to give a
concert in honor of the French
President. The statement then
went on to explain that Mr.
Munich approached the French
Embassy and offered the specia,
concert If an appropriate date
could be arranged.
No Objection Made.
1.-THE department replied tina
1t had no objection If this con
cert could be fitted into the SEIZED
ule and that it was clearly under
stood that the department woulc
not in any way be expected tt
promote the concert" the state
ment added.
ut should be pointed out" thu
statement concluded, that asid
from placing this engagement OF
the itinerary neither the depart
ment nor the French Embassy ha
taken any steps whatsoever il
making the arrangements"
Mrs. Constance Snow, loca
manager for the Boston Sym
phony. said as early as last Octo
Der Mr.. Munich told her he wa.
very anxious to play for the French
President and has been talking
about it ever since.
She added that George Judd
the Boston manager, discussed thu
project with the embassy. She
said the concert was definitely
booked and an announcement Of
the program will be made soon
1t will include one American COM
position, she indicated.
Hall Told to Keep Date.
A spokesman for Constitution
Hall said Mr.. Judd told him last
December to keep the March 81
date open because something bis
was in the wind" Mr.. Judd, thu
hall official added, said the French
embassy would make the arrange.
ments about the contract. No con.
tract has been signed yet, he said
Mr.. Hayes, in criticizing the
State Department in broadcast
on Station WGMS, said it wa.
clear that the department has tn,
responsibility either to initiate
arrangements or to pass on anc
approve any arrangements which
others might initiate.
The abilities of M. Munich a,
a conductor must already be vel
known to the French President,
Mr.. Hayes declared. "One woulc
think it to be more interesting tx
the French President to hear {
sample of our American con
ductors and orchestras, of which
there are many"
Sees Other Possibilities.
Mr.. Hayes said several othel
possibilities would have been quit,
fitting-among them that thu
National Symphony could have {
French soloist for the occasion.
Mr.. Hayes termed the invitation
to a visiting orchestra to perform