Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1955-10-19
Press Praised 81 Debut
Of Symphony in Advance

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lisf1ed pictures Of the entire or
chestra.
The following day topped any
thing that had gone before,
Eight-colurnn banner headlines
and multiple stories blossomed
In all the towns newspapers.
Some had q news account Of the
occasion. then 8 review Of the
performance and q third story
In the society pages. These are
samples:
The Herald Storms Of APP
plause enthusiastic welcome
.. spontaneous handclapping
S.. genuine ovation the
broad spaces Of Constitution Hall
have not been papered."
The News Nothing but high
praise can be said 4. there is
little to be desired OF the or
chestra except more Of the
same"
The Times-"A flll-fiedged.
finely rounded orchestral"
The Post"A concert ranking
In merit and achievement with
those presented here by outside
organizations Of much longer ex-
istence and prestige. :, 81. Of
course there were weaknesses
here and there
The Star should be eyentu-
ally one Of the Understanding
symphony orchestras In the
country 3 trifie brittle In
spots the whole was rather
too unbalanced sometimes
there were hints fof oyertones
and bowink wAs 3 trifie too
heavy - aelightful after
noon. " Fl
New York Took Notice
Even the New York Herald
Tribune had an item under the
one-word headline, Washing.
ton." The complete account
read:
Mrs. Hoover attended the
drst concert Of the National
Symphony Orchestra yesterday. /"
Two weeks later, Time maya
zine expanded on this informa-
ton In its characteristic style:
Mrs. Hoover attended, APP
plauded vigorously, sent Herr
DR.. Kinder q big bunch OF
yellow chrysanthemuns.
The Musical Courier" Of New
York reported 1.-THE National
Symphony orchestra's first con-
cert Is commendable :, well
done and warmly received
After that, the newspapers
success after success as
the orchestra played its way
through Its first season. Mrs.
Hoover continued to attend the
concerts and TO lead the APP
It was announced
that guarantors Of the first
season would get back "a SUB
stantial portion Of their funds. /"
Dr.. Kinder predicted the or
chestra would "go marching on
into time with nothing but sue
cess logging its footsteps"
A succession Of guest stars
decorated the programs.
The first was the Sensational
Metropolitan Opera soprano
Lucrezia Bori, the operas stellar
songbird.' in q group Of airs.
The last was Leonard Davis,
the well-known singing an
for Radio Station
In two baritone solos.
The required guarantee for
the second season was raised
from the initial SIS, 900 to $780,
boo. BY March, half the amount
was already subscribed.
Continues to Grow
That was the first year. In
succeeding seasons, the orchestra
grew by fits and starts. Once.
musicians demands threatened
10 take the orchestra's life, and
about money haunted it
as 1t did most other
,rchestras.
But the orchestra repeatedly
yurmounted Its difficulties and
gradually gained a reputation as
me of Americas most solid
musical organizations.
Its concert season has been
Expanded from the "a perform
ances Of It's first year to los
his year.
It's annual sustaining fund has
.rown to more than 100000.
Its size has Increased from the
irst 70 musicians "a cellist and
bass player we're added after
he first concert) to 81.
It's annual tours have taken
to audiences In the Midwest.
n Canada and south to Florida.
Its recordings have won criti-
al acclaim and In some cases
ave become best-sellers.
But as it enters its 26th year,
,erhaps the surest sign that the
National symphony Orchestra
las arrived at the first rank is
Is treatment in the local press.
No longer do the newspapers
hopefully measure the ''yocifer-
us applause" In advance. They
ave learned that audiences win
AXE care Of that without
'rompting. !