Evening Star Newspaper, March 12, 1933, Page 37

Coming Week Celebrates - Irish Songs and Tunes Harp Is Symbol of the Important Part That Music Plays in the Life of This Country—Musical Culture of Ireland Extends Back 2,000 Years. By Alice Eversman. Irish music comes into its own. The old songs and lively tunes are heard once more and if there “breathes a man with soul so dead” who does not re- spond to their charm he is a rarity. No matter what the na- tlonality, it can be safely asserted that the lilt of Irish music will leave its impression aid be recog- nized as a fountain of purest mel- ody. Its romance, its sadness or its humor and rhythm is such that the heart follows it and re- joices in it and the blood flows quicker in response to the enticing atrains. HIS coming week is the only time of the year when Music has been and always will be an intrinsic part of the Irish matlon, and the harp, that for long years has been emblasoned on the national flag, has proclaimed to all the world the place of music in the life of the country. This emblem, so symbolical of the poetic tendencies of this Celtic peoples, has floated over ancient castles where the bards beguiled the tedious hours with song and story or been held high on gory battleflelds to encourage and lead to victory. Historians claim that the mu- sical culture of Ireland extends back over a period of 2,000 years Pand cite many references made by ,the ancient monks to the high de- ivelopment of music that the coun- try had attained even in those early days. St. Patrick recog- nized its power over these sus- ceptible flfoples and made good use of it in his campaign for con- verting the people to Christianity. ‘As early as the sixth century a school of music was established in Ireland, whose excellence at- tracted many foreign scholars for more than 300 years. Inseparably allied to the ro- | mantic history of Ireland and holding first place in the hearts of all Irishmen is the Irish harp. Its sweet tones have assisted in the handing down of historical data. The deeds of prowess of mighty clansmen which the an- clent bards recorded in their songs, the glories of the Crusades or the romance that blossomed in | every heart were all given form by the aid of its strains. The ancient School of Harp Playing in Ireland had achieved hlg{l repute throughout Europe so that Dante made mention of it, and later such men as Galilei, Bacon and Spencer spoke of it in terms of pra To prevent the decay of harp playing and to stimulate a renewed interest, a series of “Contentions of Bards” was arranged several times during the eighteenth century, which drew together the famous harpists from different parts of the coun- try. ‘They played the individqall alrs’ native to their section, dis- eussed technic and supervised the recording of the music, which, until that time, had been handed | ‘down from bard to bard by word | of mouth. At the same time other attempt were made to keep mu- sic up to the high level it had al- ready reached. An Academy of Music was formed in Dublin in| 1728, and the Charitable Music “Society not only bullt a music hall, but assisted Handel in the rst performance of “The Mes- siah,” which he conducted there | himself in 1742. " While the national literature An some other European countries as still in a primitive state of idevelopment, it was found that in ‘the year 1200 Ireland had pos- sessed for several centuries a | Gaelie poetry expressed in rhyth‘- mical verse, which was the work “of courtly bards. The training of these poets required 12 years or longer and their rank was deter- mined by the number of verses they knew and could recite. A place of honor at court was as- signed them and they rivaled in + popularity the bards whose spe- clalty was the improvising of mel- odies on the harp. Thomas Moore writes preface to a collection of his ms set i0 old Irish airs: “It m often been remarked and oftener felt that our music is the truest of all comments in our his- tory. The tone of deflance suc- ceeded by the languor of despond- ency, a burst of turbulence dying away into softness, the sorrows of ene moment lost in the levity of -she next and all that romantic mixture of mirth and sadness which is naturally produced by the effects of a lively tempera- ment to shake off or forget the wrongs which lie upon it—such are the features of our history and character which we find strongly and faithfully reflectcdi in our music.” | Irish songs became best known through the programs of John McCormack. He tells in his own story, published in 1918, that the first tune he recalls was “The Wearin’ of the Green.” His next song was “Believe Me If All Those Endearing Young Charms,” which his mother taught him and of which he sald: “Though I sing it to this day, I have never found it necessary to change as much as & breath mark in it.” The queén of all Irish songs s, without doubt, “Kathleen Mavour- neen,” the words written by an Irish woman and the melody by an Englishman of Irish descent, Frederick Crouch. This song earned $100,000 for its publishers, who had paid the composer $50 for the rights. A special favorite of Adelina Patti, who put it on all of her programs, it has re- mained a beloved number with all singers, no matter what their talents. To an Irishman, Arthur Sul- livan, we are indebted to those | delightful and immortal light operas which are as popular to- day as on their first presentation. Their tunefulness, their gayety and their rhythm have never been matched, and in spite of our modern harmonies that are so far from these simple airs and which is the music of today, they arouse the same enthusiasm that greeted thelr first hearing. Victor Her- bert left another legacy of songs in a that springs spontaneously from the Irish temperament. Many of the old favorite tunes have been resurrected snd given to the public in a modern form by Percy Grainger in his arrange- ments for the piano, string quar- tet and orchestra. With unusual understanding he has preserved their charm and simplicity while mgaking them technically interest- ldng to the advanced artists of to- ay. The desire to retain and amplify this folk music of Ireland has in- spired several musicians to use them as themes in their compo- sitions. Haydn, Hummel and Weber were commissioned to make arrangements of them, and even the mighty Beethoven became in- terested and utilized 16 national airs as duets for violin or flute and piano. “The Last Rose of Summer,” “While History’s Muse” and “O, Had We Some Bright Little Isle” are some of the melo- | dies used. The collection of vocal | airs which Beethoven arranged for | the voice with accompaniment of the piano, violin and cello or the duets and chorales are some of the most interesting of his vocal un- dertakings and invaluable in re- storing the beauty to these sim- ple airs. Thus by the help of the greater geniuses of a later day the heart-touching melodies of that country of proud spirit and unending romance have been given immortality. * k% x ‘HE Metropolitan Opera season at the Lyric Theater, Balti- more, will open tomorrow with a performance of “Rigoletto.”” The role of Gilda will be sung by Lily Pons, who will thus be gouowlng in the footsteps of two celebrated predecessors, Patti and Galli- Curci, whose sensational American debut was made in this role. With the exception of “Aida,” “Rigo- letto” has held favor more than any other opera by Verdi, who was 38 years old when he wrote it. Eighty-two years ago, also in the month of March, it was produced for the first time at Venice, and since then has held a beloved place in the repertoire of every opera company. Ten years ago formance of this musical version of their own Victor Hugo’s tragic story, while in America, Ole Bull staged it in 1855 at the New York Academy of Music. In the role of the Duke, Lauri- Volpi will sing the part that served as the Metropolitan debut of Caruso in November, 1903. Sing- ing with him will be Gladys Swarthout, one of the young American singers of the Metro- politan, who has attracted much attention. Another American, Richard Bonelli, will have the diffi- cult role of Rigoletto in which Titta Ruffo made his first Ameri- can appearance. This perform- ance in Baltimore will bring a cast that is more than the equal to that of the past celebrities who have made this opera so beloved. When “Emperor Jones” is given Tuesday evening, it will be the first time that a Negro ballet will be included in an opera perform- ance. More or less realistic make- up has given a dark character to Ath‘e ballets used in “Aida” and ‘L’Africana,” and Afro-American supers have gladly supplied the touch of nativism in the great processional scene of “Aida” that marks the return of Rhadamas, but no more active part has ever been given them. In Gruenberg’s opera a group of dancers from the Negro Art Theater dance group will inter- pret the terror-stricken fancies that beset the Emperor Jones as he flees through the tropical jungle. These dancers have al- ready appeared at the Roerich Museum, the International House in New York City and at West- chester Center, and have been carefully rehearsed by Director Sanine of the Metropolitan for their appearance in this opera. “Emperor Jones” will be pre- ceded by “Pagliacci” in which the role of Nedda will be sung by Lucrezia Bori, who will make her only appearance in Baltimore in that opera. The third evening “Tristan and Isolde” will be pre- sented with an all-star cast of | Paris celebrated the 500th per- | Wagnerian singers. ASHINGTON is to have some more opera, according to word from Maestro Alfredo Salmaggl. On Sunday, April 2, a matinee and evening perform- ance will be presented at the Belasco Theater by the Chicago Opera Co. im- presario—“Rigoletto,” at 2:45 p.m., and “La Forza del Destino,” at 8:15 p.m. of the same day. On Sunday, April 16, Maestro Salmaggi will present the last two perfornmances of this season—a matinee performance of “La Traviata” and another opera in the evening (to be selected and announced later on). New artists will be presented by Maestro Salmaggi—the coloratura so- prano, Maddalena Elba; the mezzo- soprano, Grace Angelan; Dimitri Ono- frei, tenor, and two baritones, Joseph Royer and Guiseppe Martino Rossi. Anna Leskaya, well known to Wash- ingtonians, will del Destino” toge! Radaelli, tenor; tone, and Nino Ruisi, bass. NCW Cflflt&tl Rehenrsed. THE ‘Washington Choral Society began rehearsals last Tuesday evening on “The Four Seasons,” a cantata arrange ment of Bach’s composition composed in celebration of the birthday of King Augustus, in 1734. “The Four Seasons” has been re- cently arranged in this form by J. Michael Diack and was found by Louis Potter in the music department of the Library of Congress while he was searching for music for the Spring con- cert of the Choral Society, of which he is director. “The Four Seasons” has never been given in America so far as is known. Singers desiring to join the chorus will be welcome and may report for audition at 7:30. ———— Carter in New York Recital. VWELDON CARTER, pianist, gave the following program _yesterday in Carnegle Studios, New York Oity: Op. 4 and operas touched with Irish pathos and humor and richly re- cording the unadulterated melody Birs dimonds .Mary Sanger Simol . )l.lry&nu! Well Known Pianist Dies. ARGARET BOWIE GRANT, well known pianist and accompanist and a resident of the District of Colum- bia since 1914, died last Tuesday eve- ning in Emergency Hospital of pneu- monia following a very brief fllness. Miss Grant was born in Oakland, Md, studied music in Baltimore at Peabody Institute, where she was a pupil of Ernest Hutcheson, and has maintained a studio at 1325 G street for the last 15 years. She was accom- g&nlsl for Paul Bleyden, and after e retired as a vocal teacher Mr. Louis A. Potter retained her as secre- tary, and Gertrude Lyons, who took over the vocal class of Mr. Bleyden, had her continue her work as accom- anist. | Her last public appearance was on | February 26 when the Gertrude Lyons Classe de Chant gave a program in | Barker Hall for the Y. W. C. A. Sun- | day Music Hour when she was accom- t for the students. She has been well known through her radio work | both as a soloist and as an accom- panist for many well known Washing- ton singers and also on television for three menths in 1931 and 1932. Funeral services were held in Oak- land, Md, Thursday afternoon. She is survived by a brother, Dr. Willlam Wallace Grant of Oakland, Md., and a niece, Miss Virginia Johnson, and three nephews, Bowie, Reverdy and Edward Johnson of 1717 K street northwest of this cit; Mabel Carxi;ox:t Smith. ‘ ABEL GARRISON, former Metro- L politan Opera prima donna, has just been appointed head of the vocal; department of Smith College at North- ampton, Mass. Miss Garrison, & native of Baltinore, received her academic degree at Western Maryland College befcre beginning her musical training in her native city. Miss Garrison studied at the Peabody Conservatory of Music and later Saenger and Witherspoon. Her operatic debut was made with the Boston Opera Company when she sang the role of Philine in “Mignon.” She made her first appearance with the Metropolitan Opera Company in 1913, and during her career with that organ- ization sang leading soprano roles in & ,” “The Barber of Seville” “Tales of Hoffman,” “Lucia,” “Travi- and “Haensel and N Guilford Choir Coming. THE Guiltord Collegs Choir of North Carolina_with Max Noah, director, }is making its fourth tour, when the choir will give concerts in Atlantic City, Wilmington, Del.; Poughkeepsie, N. Y.; Malvern, Pa.; Philadelphia, Pa.; Taneytown, Md.: Richmond, Va.; Raleigh, N. C., and the District of Co- lumbia on Friday evening, March 24, when the sacred concert will be given in the National City Christian Church. Max Noah studied condueting with Dr. John Finley Williamson. All direc- tors and their choirs are cordially invited to attend. No tickets will be sold and the public is invited. Service Band Concerts. THE United States Marine Band and Orchestra will give coneerts dur- ing the coming week on the following dates: March 13, at 3 pm— ~orchestral concert. Priday, March 17, at 3 orchestral concert. ‘The concerts will be given in the suditorium at the Marine Barracks under the direction of Capt. Taylor Branson, leader of the Marine Band. The United States Navy Band Orchestra, conducted by Lieut. Charles Benter, will play at the band audi- torium in the Navy Yard Wednesday evening. The program opens with the overture “Fingal's Cave,” by Mendels- sohn and includes two numbers from the symphonic_suite “Land of the Blue Sky,” by Holmes, and three composi- tions by Willlam H. Woodin. pm— A Capella Choir to Sing. ‘THE third annual lenten concert by the A Capella Choir of Washing- ton, comprising move than 60 trained young singers of the First Congrega- tional Church, under the direction of Ruby Smith Stahl, will take place Mon- day night, April 3, at 8:45, In the May- flower Hotel. The cholr, assisted by the solo quar- tet, Mrs. Stahl, soprano; Dorothy Wil- son Halbach, contralto; Robert Griffin, tenor, and Dale Hamilton, basso, will offer many sacred compositions emanat- % % ‘elrly sources, bednnlng with School, and including rare numi selected by Mrs. Stahl from early English, Russian and late English schools of choral music. Garzia Musicale. FELIAN GARZIA will give & musicale at the auditorium of the Arts Club Friday at 8 pm. His brother, Francis Garzia, recently arrived from South America, will assist him, playing the violin part of a Mozart sonata and also playing a Bach selection on the cello. | jast The following students will perform Sylvia Lustick, Edyth Austermuhl, Josephine Newell, Esther Silver, Sue Taranto, Ruth Tapke, Camille Allens- worth, Ann Sugar, Katherine Morrison, i Vit end the program with two Chopin greludes, ; Left to right: Metropolitan Opera Co. for unemployed mustcians. Local Notes HE Esmu (Etta Schmid Music) Club will hold its next meeting at the Cleveland Park Studio of Etta S. Wells next Saturday at 1:30 o'clock. Marion Oster- mayer has resigned as secretary of the club, giving the post over to Marjory Morrison-Smitn. Frances Gutelius will present Charl- ton and Karlian Meyer in a recital on Friday at the New Hampshire studios. Invitations may be obtained at Miss Gutelius’ Studios. ‘The Washington Alumnae Club of the National Honorary Musical Sorority, Mu Phi Epsilon, will meet tomorrow night at the home of Ruth Thom: Bradford, 4707 Connecticut avenue, 8 o'clock. The program, in charge of Hazel Gibson Wood, will be based on the opera, “La Gioconda,” by Ponchielli. A talk will be given by Carol Wagner and arias sung by Vera Neely Ross, contralto, and Miss ‘ood, ‘soprano. Edith B. Athey, president of the club, wiil play a piano solo, “The Dance of the Hours.” Mrs. Andrew Taylor Seay, mezzo- soprano, of Richmond, and Janet Coon, local whistler, will present the musical program for the next meeti of the Political Study Club next Saturday afternoon at the Washington Club. ‘The A Cappella Choir of the First Congregational Church will sing “There Was a Knight of Bethlehem,” by Boernschein, and the quartet will give “Rock of Ages” at the morning service. Paul Gable, organist of the church, will include in his program selections from Krieg. Dubois, Godard, Beetho- ven, Tschaikovsky, Chopin and Men- delssohn. The Chamainade Glee Club, under the direction of Esther Linkins, will give a concert at the John Dixon home tomorrow evening. The soloists for the concert are Gladys Cecil, Eileen Lee, Marguerite Pope and Agnes Sale, all members of the Glee Club. Next Sat- urday the club will have as guests the Composers Club at s St. Patrick's day Mymbc:ivmatwumnnm'nn- ‘The concert, which was to have been given by the Glee Clubs of George ‘Washington University on Wednesday evening at Pierce Hall, All Souls’ Church, has been canceled. Members of the Mme. Zalipsky Music Club will present a program of Russian folk songs over WRC in the Federation of Music Clubs’ series next Wednesday at 6:45. On Friday Mme. Zalipsky will present Sola Holmen, mezzo-so- Paderewski, the world's greatest planist, who will make his | | only appearance here this season in a recital on March 22 at Constitution Hall, and Lucrezia Bori, who sings in “Pagliacci” in Baltimore Tuesday night with the Sylvia Meyer, harpist, playing | & | Thursday night at the University Club, and Stephen Deak, cellist, who is making | his local debut in a recital with Miksa Merson Tuesday night in a benefit recital Lower, left to right: prano, and Marjorie Isaacs, lyric-so- rano, in & recital at the Sears, Roe- E\lck Art Galleries. Congregal Mr. Dryden was the speaker and Edith J. MacCartee was the soprano soloist, ac- companied by Marie Wells. ‘Warren F. Johnson will play the fol- lowing organ music at his recital before the evening service at the Church of the Pilgrims today: “Ite Missa Est,” by Tournimire; “Adoration,” by Mat- thews, and “Grand Choeur,” Jawelak. ‘Tomorrow evening at 8 o'clock, at the home of Mrs. Willlam G. Carter, 16 Taylor street, Chevy Chase, Md., the Baroness von Lowenfeldt will talk on several European countries. After each of the talks Virginia Sellers, soprano, will sing the national anthem of the country covered by the talk. Miss Sel- lers will be accompanied at the piano by Phila Belle Burke of Alexandria, Va. The fourth monthly meeting of the Marks Music Club was held at the studio, 211 Webster street northwest, Baturday. were given on Massenet and Delibes. Piano selections were yed by members of the club from the works of these composers. Lewis Corning Atwater, organist, will present the second in & series of Bach programs this afternoen at § o'clock &t BY | avenue, Friday evening. Pupils included in_ this D. C, All Souls’ Church (Untarian), Sixteenth and Harvard streets northwest. Frederick Gross, tenor, will be soloist at the Spiritual Science Church of Christ this evening at the new ad- | dress, 1901 R street northwest. ‘The artists to present the March pro- gram, under the auspices of the Inter- national Federation of Catholic Alum- nae, on Tuesday, March 21, at 8:30| o'clock, are Pauline Grant of St. Pat- rick's Alumnae, Mrs. Katherine Bowles Relley, violinist, of Immaculate Concep- tion "Alumnae, and Estelle Dean, so-| prano, guest. Rho Beta Chapter of Mu Phi Epsilon Sorority had for its guest last week end Mrs. Louisa W. Allensworth, Na- tional Alumnae officer of the sorority. A model initiation, model business meeting and a musicale were events honoring Mrs. Allensworth. Delphine Deslo, cellist; Aurelia Beck, vocalist; ‘Wilhemina Amiss, violinist; Sara Beck- er and Leha Kash, pianists, took part in the musical program, which was held in Cynghan Hall of the Washing- ton College of Music. The program for the hour of music today at 5 o'clock at the Y. W. C. A, BSeventeenth and K streets, will be given by the folloging students of Flora Mc- Gill Keefer: Ione Hoffman, Frederick Denmiston, Norma Simonson, James De Valse Mann, Anna Davis Straub, Ha Edward Schonrank, Lucille Peadicord, Velma Snow, Rawley Donohue. Doro- thy Radde Emery will be at the plano. The public is cordially invited. ‘The program for the music lovers’ hour at the Y. W. C. A. tomorrow at 5 p.m. will be given by Helen Le Fevre Lyon. She will have as her subject “Music That Has Lived,” and appro- priate music will illustrate the talk. The public is invited. ‘The Arts Club will give a joint re- cital by Emily Coville, soprano, and Minna Niemann, pianist, on Tuesday evening of this week. Katherine Hill Rawls will serve as accompanist for Mrs. Coville. The National Capital Choir, under the direction of Dr. Albert W. Harned, will sing the anthems “Lo, a Voice to Heaven,” by Bortniansky, and “Behold, the Master Passeth By,” Stevenson, at the morning services at the Universalist National Memorial Church. Jessie Masters, contralto, will be soloist. Rehearsals of the Washington Ora- torio Society are betnf held each Mon- day evening at 8 o'clock at the Insti- tute of Musical Art, 831 Eighteenth street northwest. ‘“The Creation,” by Haydn, is in preparation for rendition about May 1. Singers interested in having & part in such an organization | by are invited to communicate with the o e Gertrude Lyons, president, with Thelms Callahan, chairman of radio broadcasts, | E. when a Russian program will be given. Mrs. Routt Johnson Manning held & recital at her studio, 2700 Connecticut were Betty Alvard, Marjorie Donald Nagel, Robins, Harriet Burrows, Harold Lampton, Maurice Peers and Grace Dunn. _Constance Russell played selections by Bach, Lisst and Chopin. Corps of Woman Detectives. Miss Lillia Storey has just founded a corps of woman detectives in Liverpool, and crooks in that city had better watch their step, for her staff is fearless and prepared to tackle snything and any- {* body. “My detectives must be real physically fit,” said Miss Storey, “for it | is vital that they should be proficient in jiu-jitsu in case come up against roughs. They must | the first festival, which was held last | music” centers of America and Europe. guest | quartet), flute, oboe, clarinet, MARCH 12, 1933—PART FOU Yaddo Announces Festival. TBI Corporation of Yaddo announces its second festival of contemporary American music, to be held at Yaddo, Saratoga Springs, N. Y., from Saturday, Seplember 30, to Tuesday, October 3, 1933. Encouraged by the success of Spring, plans are now being made for at least three concerts of chamber music and a serles of conferences for composers. In accordance with the wishes of the sponsors, a plan has been devised which, it is hoped, will make this and future festivals of national scope and importance. This plan provides for a Central Music Committee, consisting of five composers, who wiil choose the Eemrrm. This Central Committee will aided by a number of regional rep- resentatives covering all the larger The Central Music Committee ap- pointed by Corporation of Yaddo for the 1933 festival is made up of the fol- lowing members: Aaron Copland, chairman; e Antheil, Richard ingford Riegger and Ran- A partial list of com- posers who have agreed to act as region- T tatives includes: Boston,l Walter Piston: Chicago, Wesley La Violette; Cleveland, Herbert Elwell; Los Angeles, Roy Harris; San FPrancisco, Henry Cowell; Seattle, George F. Mc- Kay; Washington, Carl Engel; France, Virgil Thomson; Mexico, Carlos Chavez. iposers are invited to submit music to their regional representatives for consideration, but they may also send their works directly to Aaron Copland, chairman, Music Committee, care of Cos Cob Press, 209 West Fifty- seventh street, New York City. Com- positions for violin, viola, cello (string , bassoon, horn (wind quartet), piano, voice, or any combination of these will be ac- ceptible. Short plano pleces or songs will not be eumtdereJ. Manuscripts should be mailed before July 1, accom- panied by return postage with the understanding that Yaddo assumes no responsibility in case of loss. ‘The music festival is one of the ac- tivities undertaken by Yaddo as a con- tribution toward furthering arts and letters in America. S Daniel Recital. 'DNA BISHOP DANIEL will present Catherine Schofield Honse, soprano; Raymond Chisholm, tenor; Chester Helms, tenor; Francis Deremer, bass; with Jennie Glennan at the piano, in a recital, in the Daniel Studio of Singing, 1340 New York avenue northwest, March 20, at 8:45 pm. Walter T. Holt, con- ducting his radio section of the Nordica Mandolin and Guitar Orchestra, will assist, and the orchestra will accompany some of the vocal numbers. The radio section of the Nordica Mandolin and Guitar Orchestra comprises Walter T. Holt, conductor; S. Franklin Harvey, A. D. Hilton, Patsy Cunningham, Anna May Stambaugh, Alice E. Hill, Ruth O. Peterson, Bob_ Bories, Walter Holt, jr.; Raymond A. Hart, D'Arcy East, J. Z. Stambaugh and Gladys Baker. Esther Lmlm.n Clark will be the mandolin ol Coutinho Recital. MHE LOUISE COUTINHO presented a group of her pupils in a private recital held in her studio, 1731 Connec- ticut avenue, Saturday evening. The following pupils took part in the pro- gram: Edith Fitch, Miriam Berkowitch, Helen Coutinho, Natalie Kobon, Joan Riddick, Joann Croarkin, Sita Fin- kenstaedt, Helen Hudiak, Robin Rid- dick, Earl Parsons, Egor , Eu- gene Lowry, Beall Lowry, John Earle and Rolland Riddick. The pupils also combined their talents in a rhythmic orchestra _selection, accompanied by Joan Riddick. Patricia Ball has re- cently been chosen as studio assistant to Mme. Coutinho. Harned Oryan Recital. ON ‘Wednesday Dr. Albert W. Harned, ) organist and choir director at the Universalist National Memorial Church, will give the third of his Lenten organ recitals, the program beginning at 5 o'clock. His numbers will be “Sonata No. 2" by Josef Rheinberger; “Ber- ceuse,” by Walter Spinney; “Traumerei,” Robert Schumann;” “Will o’ the B. Nevin, Y Sonats,” by Filippo University Club Recital. I University Club, v oty 'y Club, comprised of Lewis Moneyway, chairman; James O. Mur- X B present Sylvia Meyer, harpist, in a recital at the club next ‘Thursday evening at 8:30 o'clock. Miss Meyer will be assisted by Herman Fakler, & baritone, and Quinta Jensen Frey, planist. Mr. Fakler will sing two ps of solo numbers accompanied )y Mrs. Frey, who will also accompany Miss Meyer in three of her selections. The program for the evening follows: :Et Ron Ron Ron, “Le Bon Petit Rol ’ Miss Mever. “Bong of the Golden : “l(Atl!le From Lot “Captain Mac" “he Bitcerness A-moverin’ National Symphdny Plays Request Pr ogram Today Favorite Compositions Vie So Closely for First Place That Dr. Kindler Will Play Both Winner and Second Best at (E)ncert. HE very slight difference in the number of votes received for Schubert’s “Unfinished Sym- phony” and Tschaikovsky's “Pa- thetique Symphony” for the National Symphony's request program to be presented at 4 this afternoon in Constitution Hall, has caused Dr. Hans Kindler to not only include the winner, Schubert’s composition, but also to play one movement of the Russian work— namely, “The Allegro con Grazia.” ‘The overture to 'Vagner's “Meister- singer” led by & w..: margin all other overtures mentioned in the more than 1,000 votes cast by the orchestra’s pa- trons. Ravel's “Bolero” was the other composition receiving the largest poll cast by members of the various audi- Fle ences during the year. Today's pro- Rr;m will be played in the following order: Overture, ‘“Meistersinger’ “Unfinished Symphony”. “Concerto in G Minor”. B Franl: Gittelson, soloist. Intermission. “Allegro con Grazia,”. from .Wagner Frank Gittelson, concertmelster of the National Symphony and member of the faculty of the Peabody Conservatory of Music in Baltimore, will make his debut as soloist with the orchestra in the third number of the ' program—the Bruch Concerto. In many ways this great concerto is the finest of them all, inasmuch as it gives the soloist an extraordinary opportunity to display both his musicianship and technical tainments. It it written in a broad and meloii- ous style, and dedicated to Joachim, the greatest violinist of his time, who first introduced it to the concert audiences of l!urape in the middle of the last cen- ury. Mr. Gittelson has played this con- certo with the Berlin Philharmonic, with the Hamburg Philharmonic and with the Philadelphia Sym%l;onm ‘The modest concertmeister of the National Symphony, though still a young man, has had already an_enviable career on the conceit stage. He has toured both Europe and this country several times, gaining particular success playing the larger music forms, such as the great sonatas and concertos with symphony. He has played everey one of the usually heard concertos by Beethoven, Brahms, Saint-Saens, Bruch, etc., not once, but many times, with the great orchestras of the world. His debut was made in 1913 in Berlin under the baton of Ossip Gabrilowistch. Gittelson, then hardly more than a boy, played the Lalo Con- certo. He had just completed his studies under Leopold Auer and Carl lesch. The World War interrupted a suc- cessful concert tour of Germany, and the young violinist returned to this country and enlisted in the Army. After the war he made several concert tours of the United States and became & member of the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia, his native home. Later he joined the faculty of Peabody. This is his first season as con with Dr. Kindler. Gold, silver and bronze medals will be awarded at the final young people’s concert on March 18 at Central High | School to children who have submitted (the winning letters in the National | Symphony Orchestra’s contest for the | best description or critical appraisal by | & child of this year's series of children’s | and young people’s events. Several hun- dred letters have been received from youngsters who attended one or more of these concerts this season. Conductor Kindler and two other judges to be ap- pointed will read the letters this week and judge the best. The age of the writer will naturally be taken into con- sideration in selecting the letters. Mrs. Corrin Strong, an enthusiastic patron of the orchestra and well known as a talented sculptress, de- signed and modeled the medals. Three Important Concerts and one at night—are an- nounced by the Wilson-Greene Concert Bureau for the latter part of the current month. The first of these three concerts will be that of Paderewski, the great Polish pianist, who will be heard at Constitution Hall on Wednesday afternoon, March 22, at 4:30 o'clock, as the closing attraction of the Philharmonic series. The second will be the concert of Yehudi Menuhin, boy genius of the violin, who will be heard at Constitution Hall on Saturday evening, March 25, at 8:30 o'clock as the final attraction of the Saturday eve- ning series The third concert will be that of Lily Pons, world's greatest coloratura and outstanding prima donna of the Metropolitan Opera, at Consti- tution Hall on Priday afternoon, March 31, at 4:30 o'clock, as the final attrac- tion in the artists’ series. These three concerts will close the Wilson-Greene season 1932-3, although an an- nouncement concerning the attractions of that bureau for 1933-4 are expected shortly from Dorothy Hodgkin Dorsey, who has assumed charge of all Wilson- Greene concert activities in Washington and Baltimore since the recent death of Mrs. Wilson-Greene. Mr. Paderewski, whose rank as an interpreter of that other great Pole, Chopin, is unchallenged in the entire HREE concerts of the first im- portance—two in the afternoon international field of music, has prom- | ised a veritable feast of Chopin music | at his concert here on March 22 with | an all-Chopin program that will in- clude the fantasia, Op. 49; two noc- | turnes, Op. 27; four preludes, Nos. 17, | 16, 21 and 24; the B flat minor sona |Op.” 35 (grave, doppio movimento, | scherzo, funeral marche and prestole | finale); ballade F minor, Op. 52; three etudes, Noe. 6, 8 and 12, Op. 25; scherzo, | C sharp minor, Op. 39; polonaise, E flat | minor, Op. 26; two mazurkas, B flat | minor, Op. 24, and D major, Op. 33, and the grande valse brilliante, Op. 18. ‘Yehudi Menuhin, the youthful prodigy of the violin who has not been heard in the Capital since season before last, | has not yet announced the pre he | will play here on March 25, but Lily | Pons, the petite little coloratura with | the mighty voice, has announced that | she will sing, among other selections, the mad scene from “Lucia.” one of her | greatest vocal demonstrations, as well as the aria from Mozart's “Marriage of | Figaro” the “Shadow Song” from | Meyerbeer’s “Dinorah,” and the aria, | “Una Voce Poco Fa from Rossini's | “Barber of Seville.” In addition, Mlle. Pons will sing three groups of songs. | Seats for all three of these concerts | may be obtained at Mrs. Wilson-Greene's | Concert Bureau, in Droop’s, 1300 G | street northwest. & Benefit IKSA MERSON, popular Hun- garian pianist who has made his home in Washington for several years, and Stephen Deak, & young Hungarian violoncellist who is on the faculty of both Curtis and Peabody Institutes of Music, will present a sonata program at the Washington Club, Seventeenth at K street northwest, Tuesday at 8:30 P%Thus 15 the third In the series of six rams sponsored by n O'Cloc! ,ém for the benefit of local musicians who are in need. Program notes be presented by Helen Fetter Cook. ‘The music of the program should create unususal interest, for it is com- paratively new to local audjences. Sergei Rachmaninoff, Russian piano virtuoso and composer, provides the opening sonata, which is familiar to some musicians in Washington. Gustav Strube, German composer and orches- tra conductor, living in Baltimore, will have the third performance publicly of his sonata, which is still in manuscript. Mr. Strube is expected to attend this concert. His work was first done by Ivan d'Archambeau and Rudolph Reu- Program _ter in Chicago and has had one per- | formance in Baltimore. This is to be | its Washington premiere. Dure, a | Prench musician, is composer of the | third and final work, a sonata first | done in 1903. Mr. Deak” who makes his local debut at this time, was the favorite orupu of | the great master of the violoncello, David Popper. Mr. Merson, who gave | a piano recital recently, needs no in- | troduction here. | The program which Mr. Deak and | Mr. Merson will present Tuesday night will be: “Son: For | “Bonata in F Sharp Minor” | Three movements: 70, rato. J# Sharp Minor” In one movement. Tickets for this concert can be se- cured from the T. Arthur Smith Con- cert Bureau, in Kitt's music store, 1330 G street northwest. Army and Navy News Navy. Speculation continues in the service concerning the identity of those officers who will be involved in the assignments to important places in the naval estab- lishment. It is the concensus of opin- fon in the fleet that Vice Admiral Wil- liam H. Standley, now in command of cruisers of the Scouting Fleet, is the ost likely successor to Admiral Wil- film V. l;ry-tt. as chief of naval opera- tions at the Navy Department. Service opinion generally is that Acmiral Mont- gco;aee;y as commander of the Asiatic Fleet by Rear Admiral Frank B. Upham, | now chylzl of the Bureau of Wavigation. | and that the latter will be succeeded as chief of that bureau by Rear Admiral Willlam D. Leahy, who now is in com- mand of the destroyers of the Scouting ree. It has been assumed in some quar- ters that when Admiral Richard H. Leigh is detached from command of the United States Fleet, he would be suc- ceeded by Admiral Luke McNamee. now in command of the Battle Force. There are rumors in the fleet, however, that the fleet command will go to Vice Ad- miral Prank H. Clark, now in command of the Scouting Force, and that Admiral McNamee will come ashore. Fleet ru- ‘mors indicate also the following changes in high naval commsnds: Vice Admiral David P. Sellers, now in command of battleships, to command of the Battle Force; Rear Admiral Joseph K. Taussig, chief of staff to Admiral Leigh, to the presidency of the Naval War College, and Capt. John H. Towers, now chief of staff to the commander of aircraft of the Battle Force, to duty as chief of the Bureau of Aeronautics, Navy De- ent, succeeding Rear Admiral Wil- am A. Moffett, whose current four- year term will expire tomorrow. Army. made_to change there are probably more officers of the Navy and more gen- eral officers of the Army concentrated in Washington than any other place in the country, this movmn‘!h"l: of espe- proposed change the relative rank between offi- of the two services would be as #&Ill’l!lvlth M. Taylor likely will be suc-| colonels, lieutenant commanders with majors, lieutenants with captains, lie: tenants (junior grade) with first lie: tenants and ensigns with second lieu- tenants. Such a change in the relative rank of officers of the Navy and Army would abolish the grade of commodore in the Navy, it would reduce the relative rank of rear admirals of the lower half to that of brigadier general and it would fix the date of rank of rear admirals of the upper half with major generals of the Army and Marine Corps at the date on which they attain the upper half of the rear admiral grade. At present an officer of the Navy appointed a rear admiral takes rank above all brigadier generals of the Army or Marine Corps and assumes rank below the major gen- erals of the Army or Marine Corps who | were appointed prior to his date of ap- | pointment. There has been a long and bitter fight on the part of some officers in the Army with the renk of brigadiere ges eral agiinst officers of the Navy, vanced to the rank of rear admiral, ranking above them immediately upon appointment, notwithstanding the fact that the brigadier general is many years the senior of the newly appointed rear a . An effort was made to equalize the rank of brigadier general with some rank in the Navy active list during the World War. This was found undesir- able, for it would have made all briga- dier generals in the Army and Marine Corps rank with major erals and thereby have some brigadier generals, who had an appointment of an earlier date than some major generals, outrank the major generals. several opin- lons had been rendered by the Attorney General of the United States it was finally decided that such procedure was impossible of application. MUSIC STUDIOS. BESSIE N. WI Velee_Culture, Plane and ‘Studio.” 6824 Sth S ;"" PHOKE GEORGIA Weldon Carter Pianoforte Instruction Washington Musical Institute 1201 Clifton St. N.W.