Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1955-10-19
Symphony Opens 18th Yeor Tonight,
Was Praised in Advance at 81 Debut

MONDAY, November Y, all the
papers were full Of stories and
pictures. DR.. Kindler's picture
was printed for the hundredth
time, together with first pub
lished pictures Of the entire or
chestra.
The following day topped any
thing that had gone before.
Eight colirir1 banner headlines
and multiple stories blossomed
In all the towns newspapers.
Some had q news account Of the
occasion. then sa review Of the
and q third story
In the society pages. These are
samples:
The Herald storms fof APP
plause /. enthusiastic welcome
spontaneous handclappine
genuine ovation "a. the
broad spaces Of Constitution Hall
have not been papered.p
The News Nothing but high
praise can be said there Ii
little 10 be desired Of the or
chestra except more Of the
same
The Times-"A full-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. OF
course there were weaknesses
here and there"
The STAR Should be eventu-
ally one Of the highest ranking
symphony orchestras in the
country q trifie brittle in
spots the whole was rather
too unbalanced sometimes
there were hints Of overtones
and bowling was q trifie toe
heavy q delightful after
noon
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
FIRST 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 chrysanthemums."
The Musical Courier" Of New
York reported 'the National
Symphony Orchestra's first con-
cert Is commendable well
done and warmly received"
After that, the newspapers
reported 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
plause." It was announced
that guarantors Of the first
season would get back "a SUD-
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
Al succession of guest stars
decorated the programs.
The first was the Sensational
Metropolitan Opera soprano
Lucrezia Bori, the operas stellar
songbird," in a group of airs.
The last was Leonard Davis,
"the well-known singing an
nouncer for Radio Station
WNTAL," In two baritone solos,
The required guarantee for
the second season was raised
from the initial $4,000 to $780,
900. 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,
demands threatened
to take the orchestra's life, and
anxiety about money haunted 1t
annually as It did most other
orchestras.
But the orchestra repeatedly
surmounted its difhculties and
gradually gained q reputation as
one Of Americas most solid
musical organizations.
Its concert season has been
expanded from the ~ perform
ances Of its first year to los
this year.
Its annual sustaining fund has
grown TO more than 100000.