Evening star., 1953-07-26
News Of Music

symphony Orchestra seem to
be receding from the memory
of most music lovers. Now and
then a query comes as to
whether they are taking place
this summer but on the whole,
very little is said about it. In
spite of disadvantages, which
could not outweigh the varied
charm of this outdoor series.
Washington has never had
anything comparable to them.
Yet no effort has been made
to preserve them and to better
the conditions under which the
programs were given.
The Watergate and what it
stands for, was commemorated,
however, this past week with
the world premier of Mary
Howe's symphonic suite, "Poto-
mac" Written several years
ago under the impressions
gained at the Watergate, it
was never performed there or
In Constitution Hall. Its pre-
miere was given Wednesday at
the Transylvania Music Camp
near Brevard. North Carolina,
by the Pennsylvania Symphony
Orchestra under the direction
OF James Christian Pfohl. Mr..
Pfohl. founder and director of
the Music Camp. was guest
conductor Of the National
Symphony at the Watergate
on July 8, 1945.
In Four Movements
The premiere was part of
the ceremonies Of the Ma
tional Federation of Music
Clubs Mid-week, held this
year at the TranSylvania Mu-
sic Camp. Mrs. Howe, for
several years a member Of the
federation'S board Of directors,
was guest Of honor and speak
er at the American Music Day
events which included the per-
formance of Potomac" at the
evening concert.
The work is in four move
ments entitled Prelude
River" Mt. Vernon" "Arling-
ton," and "Watergate." An
introduction in some earlier
program notes says: THE
suite, Potomac, arose from OBJ
jective contemplation of the
Watergate concerts. The quiz
etly moving river-the open
cleaning of the sky - the
bridge-the silent canoes-the
summer crowds-the passing
planes-the confluence of all
the country's force and ira
dition to this point of unity
under the stars, and in the
music-a breathing through it
all, that this is our country
that we love, and this broad
river flows through it. So the
prelude-River-is the prem
ise and colors the Suite"
Washington Mirrored
The life at Mt. Vernon and
the figure of the great man
who lived there and his prob
lens are mirrored in the sec
ond movement. Arlington"
represents two sides to a
great question. Two tunes,
convinced, definite, and very
much alike so that they travel
together or against each other
from different points of de-
parture. A shadowy vestige
of Taps and q thought OF
Dixie closes" And all the
elements that made the Wa
tergate concerts distinctive in
the country are incorporated
into the final movement. This
is America. "Once the Star
Spangled Banner speaks; and
the tune, singing itself
through, meets the river in
full flow, and the river keeps
at full flow and sweeps to the
close"
The National Symphony may
get around to reviving the
Watergate concerts next sum-
mer II 1t Is successful in
financing the winter season.
Two major attempts have been
made recently to add to the
still uncompleted sustaining
fund, the latest being the
Symphony Mystery Voice
Contest"
The contest which began last
week will run through the
middle of September. To enter
the contest and compete for
the lavish prizes. 25 words
completing the phrase, II like
music because" must be sent
in together with a contribution
of 81 or more to the symphony.
While the money Is an i'm
portant contribution to the
orchestra fund, a chance at
the prizes will depend upon
the 25 words. The best of
these descriptions will be
singled out for the telephone
poll on September % which
will operate all day from 7
am. to 1880 pm. The selected
contestants will be asked to
identify the mystery voice"
and the winners will receive
a Cadillac car, a Mason &
Hamlin grand piano, a $1,000
ranch mink stole, Westminster
Recordings Co.'S libraries Of
symphonies. operas and con-
certos in three prizes; a high
fidelity Philco Phonorama
radio-phonograph and a Cold
spot freezer.
Guide to Prooromming
With the wealth of opinions
about music that will pour in,
and the answers to the ques-
tionnaire sent out a short time