Evening star. [volume], December 12, 1936, Page B-4, Image 20

About Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972

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SYMPHONY GIVES IMPORTANT PRE-HOLIDAY CONCERTS
___ *- - ___
German National Opera
Is Monument to Weber
Americans Who Honor His Memory As
Genius of Former Period Are Reminded
of Country’s Need at Present Time.
By Alice Eversman.
WHEN til musicians in this country are honoring the memory of
Carl Marie von Weber this week they are giving homage to the
man who did for his fatherland what no one in America has had
the courage to do, that is, provide a national opera for his coun
try. The situation which Weber encountered when he was given the post
ti cspellmeister at the German opera in Dresden was similar to that which
•xists in tnis country today, yet Dy.
his perseverance and insistence he was
able to bring about the change which,
in Its ultimate development, has bene
fited the entire world. In the cele
brations that will mark his birth an
niversary, his genius, his personality
and the influence that he exerted on
musical art will all be remembered.
Were he living today one could well
Imagine that he would council his
American admirers to think less of
these qualities of his, great as they
were, and concentrate on learning,
from the example he set, how to solve
the operatic problem in our midst.
In a newspaper article addressed to
the Dresden public at the beginning
of his undertaking, he said: "The
Italians and the French have fash
ioned for themselves a distinct form
of opera, with a framework which al
lows them to move with ease and i
freedom. Not so the Germans. Eager
In the pursuit of knowledge and con
stantly yearning after progress, they
endeavor to appropriate anything
Which they see to be good in others." j
He wrote to arouse the sympathy
of the public of a century ago, but
his words are applicable to a like
situation in this country.
XVfEBER was tired of the influence
‘ of the Italians in the operatic
Held, tired of singers who could not
■peak the national language and tired
of the snobbery of the Germans who
felt that native artists were not com
parable to any one from a foreign
country. He knew also that it was
not only providing excellent soloists
that was important, but in having an
ensemble of German singers. Only
by having the entire troupe made up
of national musicians could he hope
to awaken and sustain interest in
German opera. Is not the same true
In this country?
Against all odds he succeeded in
putting over his ideas and winning
and holding the respect of the court,
the townspeople and the members of
his organization. He supervised every
detail connected with the formation
of the opera, searched the country for ,
good singers, reorganized the or- !
chestra and assembled an adequate j
chorus, finally giving Dresden its own
German opera, which to this day
ranks among the best in the world.
TN A study of Weber's life, one
A cannot but be impressed with the
Immense amount of courage which
he showed from his earliest years. In
•pite of the gypsy-like life which he
lived when his father was still hale
and hearty, the lack of belief in his
talent by an older brother intrusted
with part of his musical education, the
interrupted periods of study, his own i
Bohemian tendencies, and the easy
success in social circles, he kept true
to his ideals. He sought for the high-j
net in art and, later, for his own )
spiritual development. His devotion
to his family, his firmness in fighting'
•
for perfection in the every detail con
nected with the performance of music
and hU courage in carrying on, even
when he knew the hand of death was
upon him, emphasize elements in his
character not often outstanding in his
time.
Weber's personality was a romantic
one, and it was not difficult for him to
win popularity. In the theater world,
he was beloved for his good fellowship,
his social graces, and the delightful
entertainment he provided with his
guitar made him welcome in more
exclusive circles. His great pianistic
talent won him fame everywhere, and
put him in the rank of the celebrated
artists of the day. And finally, his
genius at composition has made him
immortal.
It seemed that life conspired to fit
him for his operatic destiny. His early
experiences behind the scenes of the
theater, as it was then, was a thor
ough education, and by the time he
was called to a directorship, he was
ready to progress from this standpoint
to something better. Association with
various classes of people had given him
a broad outlook, while his gypsy wan
derings had kept his imagination
active. At the same tiir.e, he had
learned the lessons of industry and
orderliness, self-control and concen
tration.
ALL these elements color the two
great opera* which have never
lost popularity, "Der Freischutz” and
"Oberon.” The ingeniousness of his
ideas, the beautiful expressiveness of
his music, and the profoundness of
his dramatic feeling are combined in
the unforgettable melodies that are
as fresh today as when they were first
presented.
In this era, the time is ripe for a
talented and courageous character
such as Weber's. We need some one
who. knowing his metier, will be ener
getic in throwing off the shackles of
foreign opera, and in forming one
where Americans can "move with ease
and freedom.” Wagner, in concluding
his description of the ceremonies con
nected with the removal of Weber’s
ashes from London to Dresden in 1844
(he was president of the committee on
arrangements), says: "From all the
particulars I have given concerning
my intimacy with the gTeat masters
who were my contemporaries, it i
easy to see at what sources I had been
able to quench my thirst for intellec
tual intercourse. It was not a very
satisfactory outlook to turn from
Weber's grave to his living successors:
but I had still to find out how abso
lutely hopeless this was.”
What Weber and Wagner have done
for German opera is history. Is there
an American who. after figuratively
turning "from Weber’s grave” this
week, cannot overcome his hopeless
ness as Wagner did. and help our
native art and artists to come into
their own?
In Local Music Circles
FRANK OSTEEN, baritone, teach
er of singing, gave a lecture,
vocally illustrated, on “The
Voice” at his studios, 1712 Con
necticut avenue, on Tuesday. At the
close of the lecture Mr. Osteen pre
sented his artist pupil, Eileen Osteen,
soprano, in three selections. Mr. Os
teen will give a series of three lec
tures in January, dates to be an
nounced later, on “The Fundamentals
of Vocal Development.” These lec
tures will be free to vocally interest
ed people, but admission is by card,
which may be secured at the studio.
Mercedes Giron, coloratura soprano,
will be heard tomorrow evening at 9:30
o’clock, at the Roosevelt Hotel, where
■he will give a concert. Also on the
program is Helen Spasnoff, who will
render several selections on the piano.
Elena de Sayn, violinist, announces
that auditions and tests for the re
maining part scholarship for an ad
vanced student and one for a be
ginner will take place Saturday, De
cember 19. J. T. Lowe, violinist, was
awarded a part scholarship during the
tests conducted last month. Applica
tions should be sent to Elena de Sayn,
1026 Fifteenth street.
Thelma Callahan, recently elected
president of the Piano Teachers’ Fo
rum, announces Marion Wilcox
Coomes as guest artist for the meet
ing Thursday morning.
Mrs. Coomes has studied under
leschetizky in Vienna and Harold
Bauer in New York City. She will
give a brief talk on the "Teachers'
Problems” and will illustrate her talk
by playing several selections, both
classic and modern. The meeting will
be held in the Salle de Recital, 1325
O street, at 10:45 am. All piano
teachers interested are cordially in
vited to attend.
The program for the music hour
tomorrow at the Y. W. C. A. will be
given by the Girls’ Ohapel Choir of
the National City Christian Church,
under the direction of Helen Turley.
A Christmas program is given at the
Y annually by Mrs. Turley’s choir and
tomorrow's program is entitled, “The
Christmas Rose.”
Betty Baum, pianist and teacher,
Will present Selma Schwarts at a re
eltal-tea in her studio today. Miss
Schwarts will play three Bach inven
tions, the Mozart ”8onata In A Ma
jor,” “Little Shepherd” and "Golli
wog’s Cake Walk" from “The Chil
dren’s Corner,” by Debussy, and the
“Nocturne in E Minor” and "Waltz in
X Minor,” by Chopin.
The combined glee clubs of Gordon
Junior High School will present a
Christinas singing pageant in the au
ditorium of the school, which is lo
cated at Thirty-fifth and T streets
northwest, on Wednesday evening at
g:15 o’clock. This presentation, which
has been compiled and arranged by
Mary Mlnge Wilkins, under whose di
rection it is being produced, U wholly
religious In nature and la the season’s
gift from the school to the community.
Than will be no admission charge
t
and no reserved seats and all are
cordially invited to attend.
Gilbert Linville, tenor pupil of
Charlotte Lippitt until last Winter,
when he entered Juilliard, is now with
the Metropolitan Opera Co. He was
also successful in entering St. Bar
tholomew’s choir.
Margaret Stafford, a member of the
Rubinstein Club, gave a program of
songs at the Home of the Incurables,
Thursday evening.
At the meeting of the Washington
section of the National Council of
Jewish Women held Tuesday after
noon, December 8, in the Jewish
Community Center, Bernice Millman,
lyric soprano, was the soloist.
Eloise Bieber, a member of the
Philharmonic Harp Quartet of New
York, was guest artist at the Christ
mas meeting of the Women's Society
of the Takoma Park Presbyterian
Church Wednesday morning.
The cantata “The Christ Child,” by
Hawley, will be given tomorrow eve
ning at 8 o’clock by the choir of the
Sixth Presbyterian Church, Six
teenth and Kennedy streets north
west, under the direction of Muriel
Day. The soloists are Gladys Marks,
Hazel Johnson. Richard Pairman and
Edward Carey. Preceding the can
tata. Mrs. Day will play a short pro
gram of Christmas music, including
the carols on the chimes.
The meeting of the German Liter
ary Society on Saturday, December
19, will be in commemoration of the
150th anniversary of the birth of Carl
Marie von Weber. Anita Schade,
president of the society, will talk on
“Wagner at the Grave of Weber,"
and Henry Gregor will lecture on
Weber’s life and works with piano il
lustrations. A vocal group will be
given by Norma Simonson, accom
panied by Dorothy Radde Emery.
Opens Studio
J)IANE CHRISTENBERRY, who
has recently moved to Washing
ton from New York City, is opening
a home studio for voice and piano at
1501 Colonial terrace, in Arlington,
near the Key Bridge. She will be re
membered as prim a donna for the
celebrated Duncan Sisters in their
version of “Topsy and Eva," and also
as vocal soloist last season with the
United states Navy Band over the
Nation-wide hook-up of the National
Broadcasting Co.
All notices regarding
Christmas music in the
churches intended for
publication in the special
page to appear on Satur
day, December 19, must
be received by the Music
Editor not later than
Monday, December 14,
and must be typewritten.
Artists of the Week’s Concerts
Soloists to
Appear With
Symphony
Music for Concerts
Includes Glee Clubs,
Pianist, Singer.
J-JAROLD BAUER, celebrated pianist;
Lotte Lehmann, the leading
soprano of the Metropolitan Opera
Company, and the combined glee clubs
of George Washington University join
the National Symphony as guest ar
tists in pre-holiday concerts, to be
given in Constitution Hall next week.
Back from its Northern tour, in
which Hans Kindler, conductor, and
the orchestra men played 11 concert*
in several New England States and
in New York and Pennsylvania, the
symphony resumes it* Sunday after
noon concerts tomorrow with a pro
gram devoted entirely to the work*
of Ludwig von Beethoven. Mr. Bauer
will be the soloist in a performance
of the German composer’s "Third
Piano Concerto in C Minor,” and will
also participate in Dr. Klndler's
presentation o£ the "Choral Fantasy,"
in which the George Washington Uni
versity singers will perform the choral
part.
Mme. Lehmann, whom the con
ductor, Arturo Toscanini, considers the
world's outstanding soprano today,
will be the orchestra’s soloist In the
midweek concert at 4:45 p.m. Wed
nesday, in Constitution Hall. This
captivating artist will sing an aria
from one of her famous Wagnerian
roles, and will also appear in a group
of songs by Richard Strauss.
Dr. Kindler has announced complete
programs for these concerts as fol
lows:
Tomorrow at 4 p.m.
All-Beethoven program.
Overture. Coriolar.ui.''
"Concerto No. 3. In C Minor.” for piano
and orchestra.
Allegro cod brio.
Largo.
Rondo- Allegro.
Harold Bauer.
Overture. “Bginont.''
Choral fantasy.
Harold Bauer.
Combined Glee Clubs of George Waahins
ton University.
Wednesday, 4:45 pun.
‘ Invitation to the Dance”
Weber-Weingartner
“Concerto Groaso No. 31”-Handel
Overture: Gravo—Allegro.
Air: Lento.
Allegro.
Allegro moderato.
Allerseelen.
Wiegenlied. _
Cacilie _ Btraus*
Lotte Lehman.
Prom “Tristan und Isolde.”-Wagner
Prelude to Act HI.
“Vorsplel and Liebestod.
Lotte Lehman.
Being Viennese, as is Strauss, Mme.
Lehmann brings to his songs an un
derstanding spirit and a volatile heart.
The three songs of his included on
Wednesday’s program are among
Strauss' best,
The second half of the program will
be all Wagner, and all the music will
be from the opera “Tristan and
Isolde." Before presenting Mme. Leh
mann in the "Vorsplel and Liebestod."
Dr. Kindler will conduct the Prelude
to Act m.
HAWLEY CANTATA
TO BE PRESENTED
'T'HE National Capital Choir, under
1 the direction of Albert W Harned,
Mui. Doc., announces the singing
of Charles Hawley’s cantata, “The
Christ Child.” at the Universallst Na
tional Memorial Church cm Sunday,
December 30, at 4:30 pjn.
This cantata was published in 1913
and sung the following Ghrlstmastide
by an unusually large number of the
larger church choirs throughout the
country, including the old Broadway
Tabernacle, New York, where Hawley
was organist and choirmaster, and
the Church of the Ascension, Wash
ington, where Dr. Harned held a like
position.
Choir to Give "Messiah”
'T'HE choir of Calvary M. E. Church,
A Columbia road northwest, near
Fifteenth street, will give the Christ
mas portion of Handel’s “Messiah" on
Sunday afternoon, December 30, at 4
o’clock. The senior and young peo
ple’s choirs will unite on this occasion,
to form a chorus of 60 voices, which
will be accompanied by organ, orches
tra and piano. There will be guest
soloists in addition to the soloists of
the church. The performance will be
conducted by Louis Potter.
The other works Dr. Kindler baa
included in this mid-week program
fit admirably into the spirit of the
holiday season. The lithe "Invitation
to the Danoe" la being pra—ted la
commemoration af the 190th anni
versary of the birth of its composer,
Cart Maria van 1»eber.
• v
At left are the two noted soloists to appear with the national
Symphony Orchestra this week. Above is Lotte Lehmann,
Metropolitan Opera soprano, who will be heard on the Wednes
day afternoon program at Constitution Hall, and below, Harold
Bauer, celebrated pianist, taking part in the All-Beethoven pro
gram tomorrow afternoon. At right, above, is Dr. William
Churchill Hammond, director of the Mount Holyoke College Carol
Choir, giving its first concert since 1926, next Saturday evening
in the Press Club auditorium. Below, Vera Covert, soprano, who
will sing several arias following the dtnner to be given in honor
of Dr. Hans Kindler Monday at the Mayflower Hotel.
Organ Music
In Program
At Howard
Catholic University
Musician Holds
Many Honors.
'pHI second recital of the Howard
University concert aerlea will be
given Tuesday evening at 1:30 o'clock
by Conrad Bernier, organist at the
Shrine of the Immaculate Conception,
Catholic University.
Mr. Bernier began his musical
studies under his father, J. Arthur
Bernier, organist of Quebec, Canada.
He received the laureate and gold
medal of the Quebec Academy of
Music (1919). In 1923 Mr. Bernier
won a three-year scholarship awarded
by the Canadian Government, and
went to Paris, where he studied organ
under Joseph Bonnet, piano with Silva
Herard and Simon Pie. and compo
sition with Georges Caussade of the
National Conservatory of Music. He
acted as substitute of Joseph Bonnet
at the Church of St. Euatache in
Paris and became well known for
hla Sunday recitals at this church.
The program is as follows:
Voluntary-H. ^ure.11
(a) Rictrcare--1. di Palestrtaa
(b) Noel et Variations..- L. G djAouin
(c) Allegro (Fourth Concerto).
G. F. Handel
Paiaacaalia et Tenia Fugatum—J.^ Bach
Skgteh la F minor-—R. fthumann
Choral in B miner
Variations (Fifth Symphony) —C. M. Wldor
Finale (First Symphony) ...—L. Vlerne
MISS COVERT SOLO
SINGER AT DINNER
VTERA COVERT, soprano, who will
v sing following the dinner to Dr.
Hans Kindler, conductor of the Na
tional Symphony Orchestra, Monday
evening at the Mayflower, is nd
stranger in Washington, except as
a singer. As Vera Murray, she was
a prominent and gifted pianist here,
a pupil of Alice Burbage Hesselbach
and a student of ensemble playing of
Herman Rakemsnn. She started her
vocal studies when William Shake
speare was in this country for two
years. Later she studied with George
W. Chadwick of the Boston Conserva
tory and Herbert Witherspoon, and
has gained a well-rounded education
for an operatic career. She made her
debut in Philadelphia as “Manon"
several years ago, and since then has
appeared successfully In Toronto,
Canada, and several large cities in
this country. Very recently she was
the soloist with the National Sym
phony Orchestra at its sixth annual
concert In Reading, Pa., and received
much commendation for her work.
Miss Covert has an unusually large
repertoire for a young singer, having
the roles of the entire Wagner “Ring”
as well as many other operas pre
pared. In addition, she has the so
prano parts of the great oratorios
mastered. She will be accompanied
at the piano, foHewtng the dinner,
by Dorothy Radde Emery of Wash
ington, and will sing “Dich Theure
Halle" and Brunhllde's famous “cry”
from “Die Walkure.”
Harry Psrbman, concert master ot
the National Symphony Orchestra,
will be the other soloist, and will
play a group ef numbers accompanied
by Edith Schiller, who is Mrs. Harry
♦
Gives Choral
Christmas
Selections
Society to Conclude
Program Friday
With Oratorio.
'T'HE Washington Choral Society will
1 preaent its annual Christmas
candlelight carol service at Epiphany
Episcopal Church. 1317 O street
northwest at 4:45 p.m. on Friday,
under the direction of Louis Potter.
The chorus, composed of 80 picked
voices, will be accompanied by Lyman
McCrary and soloists will be Helen
Loman Ware, contralto, from the
choir of the Church of the Mediator;
Raymond Baine. tenor, from Epiph
any Choir, and Howard Samsel. bass,
from the Concordia Lutheran Choir.
At 4:80 there will be a recital of
chimes and organ by Adolph Torov
sky, and at 4:45 the choral concert
will be ushered in with the old carols.
“Silent Night,” “It Came Upon a Mid
night Clear" and "The First Noel.”
The opening group of familiar songs
will be followed by "Hodle Christus
Natus Est” for double chorus, com
posed by Palestrina, the oelebrated
master of the sixteenth century, and
Praetorious' “Lo. How a Rose E’er
Blooming.” sung by men's voices
alone.
The first performance of “Land for
Chrlatmaawritten by Washington’s
composer, Mary Howe, will be given,
and “All My Heart This Night Re
joices” by the late Frederick Maxson,
well-known chorister and organist of
Philadelphia, will bring the first part
of the program to a close.
The second half of the service will
be Bach’s “Christmas Oratorio.” which
the chorus and soloists will sing with
an accompaniment of organ, strings
and tympani. Among new parts not
sung at last year's service are the
chorus, “Let Us Now to Bethlehem,"
and the chorales, "Thee With Tender
Care" and “Rejoice and Sing."
As In previous seasons, this lovely
concert is a Christmas gift to the city
and no admission will be charged.
CAROLS INCLUDED
WITH FOLK SONGS
'T'H* Tuesday Evening Music Club,
. Florence Howard director, will
present its annual program of Christ
mas music at the University Club on
Friday evening at 8:30. This will be
the seventh consecutive concert this
choral group hw given for the club,
and will mark the first musicale to be
held in the club's new headquarters at
1135 Sixteenth street
As is their custom, the singers will
be In the costumes at the early Eng
lish carolers, and will include many
modern arrangements of traditional
carols and folk songs In their pro
gram. Chimes will ring during the
French "Chanson of the Bells of
Oaeney," and a flute played by Alden
Emery, Jr, will be featured In the
Greek folk song, "Shepherds on This
Hill." There will be a processional,
recessional and an echo chorus. Helen
Ferry will stag a group of German
folk songs. Evelyn Scott will play a
group of violin numbers and Marjorie
Davis la the acoempanist
Soloists In the ensemble Include
Elisabeth Everett, Mrytle Barnes, Elsis
Hadlor Ihaaess Tucker, IJorence
Booker, Gladys Wilcox, Alice Sherrer
and ina Holtascheiter, who will sing
the sole la the “Alma Virgo,” by Hum
• t
Mt. Holyoke
Choir to Be
Heard Here
Only Concert South of
New York to Be
Local Event.
J^ARLY folk songs and folk music
will be heard on Saturday, De
cember 19, when the Mount Holyoke
College Carol Choir, consisting of 100
voices, under the direction of Dr.
William Churchill Hammond, will
give its only concert south of New
York City in the Press Building Au
ditorium at 8 45 p.m.
This concert will mark the choir's
first appearance In this city since
1926. A limited number of concerts
is given during the holiday season
each year away from the campus,
usually Including one in Town Hall In
New York and one in either Bos
ton or Philadelphia. This year, in
response to an especially urgent de
mand. Dr. Hammond selected Wash
ington for the final carol concert of
the season.
This event will have a particular
significance to those who already
are familiar with Dr. Hammond's
work and with the reputation de
veloped by the choir under his able
musicianship, because it will be Dr.
Hammond's final appearance as di
rector of the choir, which he founded
and led for so many successful years.
He plans to retire from its active
leadership this coming June.
The program given here includes
carols of many countries and many
centuries.
Organ.
Pgstoral# _ Bach
Cgralg.
. Sing W* Noel”-..-French
In Dulci Jubilo__ German
“O'er Wintry Hills _ Croatian
Down in Yon Forest"__ English
"Lullgy. Thou Little Tiny Child" .English
The Holly *nd the Ivy"__English
"Wassail Song”__ English
Organ.
Pastorale_ Vierne
March of the Magi _...... Dubois
Carat a.
"Sins Good News”_ French
' Touro-Louro-Louro" ____ French
"Jesus Gentle Babe ’_ French
' Though Now a Babe"___French
“O Thou Lovely Night”_ _ ..French
"Bring a Torch. Jeanette. Iaabella.
French
Organ.
Faatorale-Karg-Elert
Carols.
"The Innocents”_ ..... .Russian
"Stars Lead Us Ever On”__- Sioux Tribal
"Christ of the Snow"...__ Hungarian
“In the Quiet Night”___ Dutch
"Angels in the Night'_Edmundson
"Noel! Alleluia”__ _Father Finn
"God Oive Ye Merry Christmas-tide "
John J. Bishop
The concert 1* given under, the
sponsorship of the Washington Mount
Holyoke Alumnae Club. Proceeds
from the sale of tickets will be in
cluded in a special gift to the scholar
ship fund to be made early in 1937
on the occasion of the 100th anni
versary of the founding of the col
lege.
Tickets may be ordered by mail
from Eleanor Neill. 1820 Massachu
setts avenue northwest or may be ob
tained at Mrs. Dorsey’s Concert Bu
reau in Droop's Music Store.
LOVETTE CHORAL
CLUB’S PROGRAM
T'HE Lovette Choral Club will pre
sent on Monday "A Midwinter
Eplosde” in the club room of the
D. C. League of American Pen Wom
en. Orafton Hotel. Francise Bass
Wilson will be narrator of the eve
ning. Roscoe King, violinist, will be
the assisting artist, accompanied by
Esther C. King.
A sextet from the club, composed
of Nellie Barber Brooks, Hazel M.
Cake, Marietta Brumbaugh. Clydia
Mae Richardson. Emily Tennyson
and Fay Bruce Swenson, will sing
several traditional airs and ‘‘In
flammatus et Aceensus.” by Rossini.
Nell Duree Norris will appear in “O
the Shepherds in Judea,” a dramatic
reading by James H. Rogers, and
Carolyn 8chulte will render a piano
selection.
Following the program, the Choral
Club and the audience, led by the
director, Eva Whitford Lovette, will
sing “Silent Night, Holy Night.”
Elsie Cramner, the club accom
panist, will be at the piano.
PROGRAM HONORS
CARL VON WEBER
A PROGRAM In honor of Carl
^ Marla von Weber will be pre
sented by the Friday Morning Music
Club at Barker Hall, Y. W. C. A., at
11:30 ajn. on Friday. The artists are
Anita 8ehade, reader; Elsa Joem,
soprano, formerly of the Berlin
Opera; Greta ran Bayer and Helen
Grimes, pianists. The program is as
Mtovs:
I
Tomorrow’s Program
Of National Symphony
Orchestra at Constitution Hall at 4 O’clock
to Be Assisted by G. W. U. Glee Clubs,
Under Dr. Harmon, and Bauer, Pianist.
By Dr. Hans Kindler. \
TH Beethoven the human
element in music appeared
tor the first time as the
principal factor of the
purely or mainly formal quality his
immediate predecessors had considered
as most important. And Immediately
the question raises Itself: Was this a
gain for art? Is the final purpose of
music to be human rather than purely
and principally a matter of beauty of
sound and of form?
Beethoven's heart was great and
pure and deep-feeling, and it beat in
sympathy with humanity's hardships
and its sorrows. This, however, is first
of all a matter of human tendencies, of
the human soul. The artist Beethoven
had to create forms, and his proverbial
wrestling and struggling may well
have been nothing else but the at
tempts to put his human (that is,
sometimes non-musical) experiences in
musical form. However, he succeeded
in this, and that constitutes part of
his greatness.
Beethoven's ideals were tne ideals
of the best ones of all times and zones,
and which our world of today, alas,
has too often trod under foot. His was
the desire for freedom, for redemption
of human fallings and weakness
through love, for the fraternity among
peoples and nations. Liberty, equality
fraternity. Beethoven is a direct result
in art of 1793. He is the first greal
democrat in music. He wanted music
to be serious, and life to be happy and
beautiful, and this makes his work
often full of rebellion and anger, be
cause life. alas, is not h. ppy and beau
tiful. With fine longing for this reali
zation. he again and again starts from
the premises of suffering, angry and
rebellious: “Non per portas. per muros,
per muros ”; “musz es sein, es musz
sein”; "Oh, friends, not these tones!”
etc.
SOMETIMES when we look at his
work from a purely artistic stand
point we are slightly disappointed, and
even a bit bored by this eternal pride,
by this constant desire to resolve misery
into joy—often with a hard-headed
nesi which makes us believe that al
though the heart was "in the right
place,” the head, sometimes, does not
seem correspondingly disciplined. This
may sound like heresy, because since
a hundred years any atgument about
Beethoven is considered a heresy. But
it may be well at times to approach
even one as great as Beethoven in
a spirit of respectful criticism if only
so as to succeed in a more conscious
admiration of his greatness.
We then begin to understand
Goethe’s objections to some of Bee
thoven's work, objections which are
often mentioned to Goethe's dis
paragament, and which, especially if
we consider Goethe's amazing under
standing of such men as Mozart, and
of Goethe’s greatness in general,
should on the contrary make us pause
and think. Of course we must not
forget on the other hand that Goethe
judged Beethoven only from those
works which he heard. It is doubt
ful whether this knowledge included
Beethoven’s greatest works, the ones
which he wrote towards the end of
his life, especially the last of his piano
sonatas, the D major cello-sonata,
and the string quartets of the final
period. In those Beethoven achieved
a spiritual release such as few artists
have been able to accomplish. For
in these he succeeded in purifying
and resolving his human problems
in the flame of his art. and by ac
complishing this he approached di
vinity. He combines here the great
ness of Bach at his best with the
added quality of a purely human
element, transfigured until his utter
ings become of a superhuman, non
material. liberated quality, so power
ful. so irresistible in their poignancy
that they evoke in any sensitive listen
er a reverent reaction, an undying
gratitude for having been allowed to
listen to these utterances of the very
greatest of all our creators.
JN DIFFERENT other ways some
of Beethoven's predecessors had
been greater, although this has been
denied by the too fervent adulators
of his undoubted eminence. Today,
from a point of'view further removed,
we can without fear of immediate
damnation conclude that Bach's har
mony, for instance, is bolder and
richer, that Mozart's orchestra is
more transparent, that Haydn s quar
tet form is purer. Beethoven’s very
greatness, his intensity, his “furor
Teutonicus" made him often grasp
beyond that which even the gifts of
genius could achieve.
But when we have said this, when
we are all through weighing and
measuring, there is still one quality
in his work which ever and again
sweeps away all arguments, and this
is the quality for which he deserves
to be regarded, even with his faults,
as the giant he remains. That qual
ity was his constant and fanatic sin
cerity. For his humanity and for his
sincerity, which showed constantly in
every possible instance, does he take
the place which not only the artists,
but the whole of humanity has given
him, and before which any human
being worthy of the name will always
reverently bow the knee.
The concert of tomorrow will con
tain, first, the deeply moving “Cerio
lanus Overture”—the second theme of
which, expressing as it does the love
of Coriolanus for his mother, is un
doubtedly one of Beethoven’s greatest
melodic inspirations, especially in its
contrast to the stern and harsh char
acter of the main Coriolanus theme.
The brooding pianissimo ending after
the superb development of the over
ture puts the stamp of Beethoven’s
genius on the work as nothing else
could.
The third piano concerto, once a
great favorite, has in the course of
time given way to the fourth and the
‘Emperor Concerto” as far as popular
appeal goes. But it has qualities of
depth and strength in the first two
movements, and of typically Beetho
venesque humor in the finale which
certainly make It one of the great
works of Its kind in the literature,
and which, when the pendulum of
preference will swing back again, will
re-establish it in deserved popularity.
“Egmont Overture.”
Whereas the “Cortolanu* Overture”
ends on a tragic note, the “Egmont,”
although In lta development also full
of struggle and revolt, ends on a
happier note—a note of freedom and
of joyous liberation. It is one of the
gum popular of overtures, and there-1
fore require* no special furthei
explanation.
'J'H* “Choral Fantasy" Is to my mini
a definite preparation for tlx
“Ninth Symphony.” Not only the usf
of a chorus In conjunction with tlx
orchestra, but the very melodic line*
are directly comparable to those o:
the great “Ninth.” The melody of thi
very first line of the text Is exactlj
like the first choral melody of thi
“Freude schoener Ooetterfunken,” only
in reversed form. The whole worii
seems also to be a fantasy which hai
as its underlying idea its eventua.
resolution in an “Ode to Joy.” In
several other Instances Beethoven
made what can be considered very
elaborate sketches for still great*!
tone poems which follow subsequently
For instance, the fugue of the “Sonau
for Cello (Opus 102)” is definitely i
preparation fo. the gigantic work In
the same form which constitutes thi
last movement of the Hammer Klaviei
“Sonata (Opus 106).“
As I have said, the same holds good
of the “Choral Fantasy” in relatiot
to the “Ninth Symphony,” and I hopi
it will therefore be of special lnteresl
to those among the musical cognos
cente who may want to approach II
with this in mind To the public al
large I think it will be a first per
formance In Washington of this work
~ ' 1 » •
GORDON QUARTET
IN TWO CONCERTS
■pwo concerts by the Gordon String
Quartet, Jacques Gordon and Da
vid Sackson, violins: William Lincer,
viola, and Naoum Benditsky. cello, will
be given at the Library of Congresi
under the “Gertrude Clarke Whit tali
Foundation" next week. The musi
cians will use the famous quartet ol
Stradivari instruments donated by
Mrs. Whittall and Frank Sheridan
pianist, will be the assisting artist.
On Weanesday. at 8:45 p.m„ the
quartet will play Brahms' “Quartet in
C minor, op. 51. No. 1, ’ “Sonata in D
minor, op. 108,” for violin and piano
and the “Quintet in F minor, op. 34/
for strings and piano. On Friday, al
3:30 o'clock, the program will b«
Beethoven’s “Quartet in C, op. 59, No
3," Brahms’ “Sonata in F, op. 99,’’ foi
cello and piano, and Schumann's
"Quintet in E flat. op. 44 ”
Tickets may be obtained by writing
the Music Division in the Library, in
closing a stamped, self-addressed en
velope for return.
The December meeting of the Co
lumbia Music Club (Mildred Ficklin
Echols, teacher and counsellor), wai
held on Wednesday at the home ol
Marie Main. Columbia Pike, Arling
ton, Va.
Concert Schedule
Tomorrow.
Notional Symphony Orchestra.
Dr Hans Kindler. conductor;
soloist. Harold Bauer. all
Beethoven program. Constitution
Hall, 4 p.m.
Girls' Chapel Choir, National
City Christian Church, "The
Christmas Rose." Y M. C. A., 5
p.m.
Organ recital, Deane Shure,
Mount Vernon Place M. E
Church South.
Monday.
Lovette Choral Club, "Mid
winter Episode," Francise Bass
Wilson, Roscoe King, violinist,
soloists, Grafton Hotel.
Navy Band, "Hour of Memories''
program, 2 p.m.
Marine Band, 4:30 p.m.
Lecture. Edwin Hughes, “Tech
nique of Interpretation at the
Piano,” Washington College of
Music.
Army Band. 6 p.m.
Tuesday.
Organ recital, Conrad Bernier.
Howard University, 8:30 pm.
Navy Band Symphony Orches
tra, sail loft, Navy Yard, 8 p.m.
Marine Band. 3 p.m.
Soldiers’ Home Band Orchestra.
5:30 p.m.
Wednesday.
National Symphony Orchestra.
Dr. Hans Kindler, conductor:
soloist. Lotte Lehmann, soprano.
4:45 p.m.
Gordon String Quartet, Library
of Congress, 8:45 p.m.
Marine Band Orchestra, Ma
rine Barracks. 8 p.m.
Thursday.
Soldiers’ Home Band Orchestra,
5:30 p.m.
Friday,
Washington Choral Society.
Louis Potter, conductor; Christ
mas candlelight carol service.
Epiphany Church, 4:45 p.m.
Tuesday Evening Music Club.
Florence Howard, director; Evelyn
Scott, assisting artist, University
Club, 8:30 p.m.
Gordon String Quartet, Library
of Congress, 3:30 p.m.
Friday Morning Music Club,
Weber program, soloists, Elsa
Joern, Crete von Bayer, Helen
Grimes, Anita Schade. Barker
Hall, Y. W. C. A., 11:30 a.m.
Army Band, 4:30 p.m.
Saturday.
Mount Holyoke College Carol
Choir, Dr. William Churchill
Hammond, director, Press Build
ing Auditorium, 8:45 p.m.
Soldiers’ Home Band Orchestra,
5:30 pm.
Armando Jannuzzi
Grand Optra Dramatic Tenor
Voice Specialist
Italian Method
School of he! cut to.
Diet. 1403 732 11th St N.W. •
CONCERT
MM.nl; TmmI; Au*lt.ri«»
. W. T. At*.
Suni*». Dentmbtr p.M.
MAXIM BRODYN
tenor and actor
formerly of
Chleaac and San
Carlo Opera Co
ZELDA KLATIN
aeeomplUhed
pian'at and
ar.trasa
In variety vracran mi •Hritk artof
Warren F. Johnson, Organist
Church el the FIlgrtaM
Sunday Evening
Los N«u Corinlhlmnts_naiior
pimtto troovoillo-Jl»n<