Evening star., 1951-08-26
News of Music
Finding New Beethoven Interpreter
Real Problem to National Symphony
By EIeno de Soyn


By EIens
The recent passing of the great
est interpreter of Beethoven, Ar
tur Schnabel, will eliminate one
of the artists featured in the spe-
cial Beethoven Concerto Series of
the National Symphony this WIN
ter. This artist, whose appear
ances here have been few and far
between, was to have played the
celebrated Emperor" concerto on
December IL. In many ways this
was to have been the peak Of the
series. The artist who will replace
him has not been announced at
this writing.
No one of the pianists before
Schnabel has done so much to
foster the understanding of Bee
thoven's compositions, although
several are known to have made a
serious study of them. One glance
at Schnabel's Memorial Edition of
Beethoven's 80 sonatas, filled with
commentaries and instructions for
correct musical expression. is suf-
Iflcient to realize the profundity oi
his scholarship and the thorough
ness of his analyses. Compare
sons with the original manuscript
early and late editions; the expla-
nations, occupying at times one
third of page, and the directions
Iof how to obtain tone color by
means of special fingerings, with
out the aid Of the pedal, are only
few Of its salient features.
Spokesman for The Master.
Inasmuch as it was humanl;
possible, Schnabel released the
music from the restrictions of &C.
cepted annexation and became q
spokesman for the masters ideas
and ideals. With his death ends
"a chapter of a glorious achieve
ment in behalf of the compose.
to whom he dedicated the bes,
years of his life. 1t took a while
before he became fully appreci-
Iated in this country. His concen-
tration upon the musical thought
his, absence of mannerisms and
utter simplicity on the concert
stage, did not lend his personality
that glamour to which the Amer
lean public of the era was accus-
toned. A decade of progress was
necessary before he was listened
to, judged intelligently and under
stood.
Schnabel's talks and interviews
show him as an intellectual, a
thinker and an analyst. He was
adept at coming pertinent phrases
and had decided opinions on many
subjects expressing them, at
times, with caustic wit. Music
however, "given life in man." was
to him ever the expression oil
emotion. Also, the process Of art
was from soul to soul by way
of intellect" He believed that p
special gift was needed to pro-
ject, or to receive, spiritualizeo
refinement for the shaping of tn:
elementary product. and that the
impulse toward higher intellectua,
levels was born within. Education
and environment, according tc
him. gave only an opportunity t6
discover it. Without the inborr
urge, he thought. no true re.
lationship with art was possible
Career Began Early.
The artist embarked on a pro.
fessional career early. He was ac-
Icepted by Leschetizky as pupil
at the age of 10 and underwent
a formal course CT instruction will,
the latter for flve years. His talent
and intuition did the crest. While
he was still a student. Brahms
marvelled at his uncanrly facility
to play difficult music and so die
other celebrities who belonged to
Leschetizky's intimate circle. Al
though known chiefly as Beetho-
Iven's exponent, because he liked
him." Schnabel was equally de-
voted to Bach. Mozart, Schubert
Schumann and Brahms and used
to say that no matter how long
his life, Ii would be too short to
quencn his artistic thirst for their
music.
Under the serious mien Of a
concert artist, Schnahel camou-
flaged a radiant disposition which
made him popula: with friends.
Austrian born he seemed to in
corporate within himself that love
of life which is a national char
acteri.tic of a people who gave
the world Mozart, Schubert, the
Strauss family and otnLrs, whose
music contains so niucn sunshine
in spite of the vississitudes that
fell to the share of some.
Interpretive Genius.
AS a teacher Schnabel advanced
the art of Interpretation immeas-
urably. A shining example of his
school is Clifford Curzon. Prior
to settling in the United States,
Schnabel taught every summer in
his Italian villa on Lake Como.
OYlv odI,o pnad e&,.dante fo,.,~oad