The Daily Worker Newspaper, June 25, 1927, Page 12

—— —, Soviet Union on the Music Ascendant That the present moment in Russia | should find music on the ascendant | and contribute an outstanding mas-| ter to the world, was the hope ex-| pressed by Olin Downes, noted music| critic, in a lecture on “Contemporary Russian Composers” at the Roerich Museum, last week. “Although one of the youngest countries” he said, in the actual lapse of its musical history, Russia has con- tributed one of the most dynamic and| vital arts to world history. There seems to be three stages in the his- tory of every racial music. First, the stage when the music is the music of the folk, sprung from the soil of a country, and outpouring of} The Theatre Guild Acting Company in “The Second Man” GUILD THEATRE LAURA HOPE CREWS. _ * 62nd Street, West of Broadway. Eves at 8:30. Matinees THURSDAY and SATURDAY at 2:30. “The Silver Cord” JOHN GOLDEN CIRCLE THEATRE, 58th St., East of ene: ° 5678 Matinees THURSDAY & SATURDA LOW PRICES ALL SEATS FOR THE LADDER ARE REDUCED FOR THE SUMMER. BEST SEATS $2.20. the popular soul, “Second is the stage when com-| posers weave around the folk music | an art composition, consciously tak- ing the folk music itself, as a basis. Third when a completely new out- growth is formed, in which the com- poser has built up an entirely new creation, not based on folk music, and yet so essentially full of the feeling of his soul, that it seems to be as true and spontaneous as any folk music. “In my belief, Russia has passed the first two stages and is emerging} into the third. Perhaps before dis-, eussing contemporary Russian com- position it would be best to return previously to the past. Glancing over Russia’s folk music, we may say that perhaps there is no nation which has such a wealth and bounty of folk music, as Russia. Ranging from the Ukraine across her vast spaces there has sprung from the soul of the peo- ple the greatest variety and beauty of folk music, that perhaps any na- tion has ever seen. As musical his- tory goes, it is but comparatively re- cent that Glinka who may be ealled the first of Russia’s conscious art writers, wrote around the folk music his “Life for the Tzar” which caused so great a stir and enthusiasm.” Mr. Downes also spoke of Dargom- ijsky, Glinka’s contemporary, and al- so of “The Five’—Rimsky-Korsa- koff, Moussorgsky, Borodine, Cui and also of the great cosmopolitan Tchaikovsky. It was in the three leading figures of today that he found the full blossoming of Russia’s art composition — Stravinsky, Prokofieff and Miaskowsky. Of the three, it was Stravinsky who stood out as one of the greatest musical forces. Analyz- ing the three works of Stravinsky, “Oiseau de Feu,” “Petrouchka” and “Sacre du Printemps” on the libretto given by Nicholas Roerich, Mr. Downes showed their tremendous in- fluence on all contemporary art. “It is amazing in “Sacre du Printemps,” how Stravinsky found within himself some mysterious rhythm, some essen- tial dynamic force. Of Prokofieff, Mr. Downes ex- pressed great enthusiasm fer some of his works, altho he distrusted others, the results of cleverness and mastery of technique rather than lasting gift. Miaskowski he found “weakened and watered by the in- fluence of European suggestion.” But it is in the present moment that Downes believes there will emerge a master who will bring young Russia to the third stage of its development, a master comparable to Wagner who will produce great works, not based necessarily on the folk music of a country, but so essential to the soil of a country, so logical and so spon- taneous. and outflowing, as to be- come a true folk inspiration produced _through the. medium of a genius, _Robert Milton has in mind a dram- atic version of “Elmer Gantry” the Sinclair Lewis popular seller. Bayard Vieller will do the dramatization, 2 In “ike Silver Cord,” Sidney How- ard’s impressive play at the Golden Theatre. And here is another Negro musi- eal show being prepared. This one, title “Rang Tang,” will have Miller and Lyles heading the cast, The pro- duction is scheduled to open Tues- day July 12, at Chanin’s Royale Theatre. Kay Gunt wrote the book, Ford Dabney the music and Jo Trent the lyrics, “Madame X,” adapted by John Raphael, from the French of Alex- andre Bisson, will be the next popu- lar priced revival of Murray Phillips, and is due here in two weeks, prob- ably at the George M. Cohan Theatre. The play created quite a hit when produced in 1909. Carol MeComas will play the title role, with Rex Cherryman in the principal male role. “Kiss Me,” J. J. Levinson’s musical comedy will open at the Lyric Thea- tre, July 11. Desiree Ellinger, Joseph Macaulay, Arthur Campbell and Viv- ian Marlow head the cast. Skowhegan, Maine will witness the premiere of “Better to Marry” by Sophie Treadwell which the Lake- wood Players will produce beginning Monday. The cast includes Harold Vermilyea, Ellen Dorr, Robert Hud- son, John Daly Murphy, Wright Kramer, Nedda Harrigan, Brandon Peters, Ruth Gates, William Barry and Laura Carpenter. Crosby Gaige may do the play here. Sam H. Harris is placing in re- hearsal on Monday “The Conflict,” a new comedy by Vincent Lawrence. The cast includes Warren William, Louis Calhern, Helen Flint, Kathryn Givney, William David and Milano Tilden. Booth Tarkington’s, “The Pluto- crat,” will be dramatized by Tom Cushing, author of “The Devil in the Cheese,” as a starring vehicle for Charles Coburn. Mark Twain’s “A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court,” will evolve next season into a -musical show sponsored by Lew Fields and Lyle D. Andrews, Herbert Fields, Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart are doing the book, score and lyrics. / _A. BE. and R. R. Riskin have ac- quired a play called “The Golden Age,” by Lester Lonergan, and Charleton Andrews, author of “Get Me in the Movies,” and plans to stage it early in the Fall, THE LADDER CORT Theatre 48th St. E. of B'way Romance of the Flivver Coming to the Colony The premiere of the latest Warner Bros. production, “The First Auto,” with Barney Oldfield, the famous speedster playing an important role, will take place at the-Colony Theatre, next Monday evening. Barney will also make a personal appearance at the premiere, with a number of other noted racing drivers and a group of prominent movie stars will also be present. “The First Auto,” is based on Dar- ryl Francis Zanuck’s story, with the scenario by Anthony Coldeway and the filming directed by Roy Del Ruth. The cast includes Patsy Ruth Miller, Russel Simpson, Frank Cam- peau, Douglas Gerrard, William De- marest, Paul Kruger, Gibson Gowland and E. H.. Calvert. The Vitaphone concert program given in conjunction with the picture will be headed by Weber and Fields. Other artists include Aunt Jemima, vaudeville headliner; Billy Jones and Ernest Hare, in a number of selections; and “The Evolution of Dixie,” by The Vitaphone Symphony Orchestra, Herman Heller, conduct- ing. Screen Notes== Universal has taken up the picture rights of “The Last Warning,” mys- tery play which played here last sea- son. Thomas F. Fallon adapted the play from the novel “The House of Fear” by Wadsworth Camp. The New Plays MONDAY “BOTTOMLAND,” a revue, written and presented by Clarence Wil- liams, will open at the Princess Theatre Monday night. The all- Negro cast includes Clarence Williams, Eva Taylor, Sara Martin, Mason and Henderson, James D. Lillard and Katherine Henderson. MANHATTANERS,” a musical revue, will be ushered in Monday night at the Grove Street Theatre, presented by Joe Lawren and Law- rence Moore. The book and lyrics are by George Oppenheimer, and music by Alfred Nathan, Jr. WEDNESDAY : “BARE FACTS OF 1927,” @ musical show, is scheduled the Triangle Theatre in Greenwich Village Wednesday night. The lyrics are by Marian Gillespie and Menlo Mayfield, the music by John Milton Hagen and sketches by Stuart Hamill. The cast in- cludes Ethel Fox, Margaret Haas, Janey Haas, Byron Tigges, Austin Street, Joe Battle, Frank Marshall, Gordon Hawthorne, Mary Green and Vera Loday. Kathleen Kirkwood is the producer. No Performances Saturday '%_ADDITION CHARLIE CHAPLIN « CARMEN’ ling’ Romance Oar ae Models —— Little Theatre : GRAND Grontens at $20." STREET AND THURSDAY 2:30 FOLLIES Moss’ Cameo Theatre did very well with its revival of “The Cabinet of Caligari,” perhaps one of the best cinemas sent out from Ger- many’s studios, and will hold it over another week. “The Secret Studio” a new Fox film release, will be at B. S. Moss’ Broadway beginning Monday. Olive Borden acts the lissome model in this story of Bohemia, and Clifford Hol- land, Margaret Livingston, Walter McGrail and Ben Bard are the sup- porting cast. to open at