Evening star., 1954-04-04

Richard Bales. NIL
ing Sundays will bring folk
songs, chamber music and two
orchestral concerts. OF the
music. all Of which Is Ameri-
can. the most imposing piece
Is the second symphony Of
Charles Ives. During q quar-
ter century Of his 88-year life
span. Mr.. Ives was known as q
successful businessman. From
1906 to 1880 he was an active
senior member Of the New
York firm Of Ives and Myrick.
His most famous music is his
songs and the colossal Con-
cord Sonata.
Bortok in America
I have been called on my
statement that Bella Bartok
first came to this country in
1910 and that his first recital
was in the Library of Congress.
The facts are true enough for
the composers second and final
visit here. But Edward Harris
of 2039 New Hampshire avenue
writes that as music critic of
the San Francisco Bulletin he
heard Bartok in 1923. The
Hungarian composer came to
the United States in December
of the year before and made
a whirlwind tour as pianist in
all parts of the country for two
months.
Mr.. Harris sent us his review
of the Bartok San Francisco
recital. It seems more than
ordinarily perspicacious when
one considers the early date:
His sonata would take more
than one hearing for complete
understanding. Mild man
nered and charming as is his
personal aspect, he is in league
with the huge undertakings of
destiny and the relentless
forces Of nature. -"
The Lords New Song
There have been 100 re-
ligious musical compositions
for full orchestra and chorus
given in the Washington Ca
thedral in the last II years.
If this is a startling figure.
it is only an indication of the
tremendous interest in church
music that has developed in
Washington during the last
two decades. Newspapers Of
twenty years ago show little
music in the churches, except
for QuartetS singing what are
invariably referred to simply
as numbers, and an occas-
Sional gala of 1.-The Crucifixion"
or THE Seven Last Words" To-
days paper shows that half
of the eighteen recitals and
concerts to be given today are
in, and for the most part
sponsored by, churches. This
does not include music that is
only incidental to the service.
The Cathedral is of course
the center Of religious music
in Washington. Not only are
the masterpieces requiring an
orchestra, and therefore money
far beyond the usual budget,
heard there regularly two or
three times a year. but also
there is an active repertoire
of almost a 1000 pieces for a
cappella chorus and chorus
with organ. Major works of
Bach. Mozart. Beethoven Byrd,
des Pres. Palestrina. Tails, and
also many modern composers,
are given by four different
choruses and there are
throughout the year many
visiting choirs and soloists.
Other churches in town do
not have the resources of the
Cathedral, but the standard
of music given is very high.
and the effort in planning and
rehearsal every week fire.
quently shows up in the pc
culiarly impressive intensity
and expressiveness of a good
amateur chorus. Not that all
the smaller church choirsy are
unpaid. Many are profess
sional or of mixed personnel.
But whether given by anna
teurs or professionals, WASH
ington church music is COM
ing more and more to show
the effect Of the behest Of the
psalmist: Come. let us sing
unto the Lord a new song"