Philadelphia Conservatory of Music - Variations Yearbook (Philadelphia, PA)

Page 27 text:

301,90 Mefronomic speed is probably fhe mosf variable and annoying elemenf of musical execufion. lf is fhe reason for fhe asfonishingly varied performance fime given a work by fwo or more aufhenfically sound inferprefers. Sfudenfs should beware of imifafing fhe fempos of mafure arfisfs. lf is surprising how liffle such fempo variafion affecfs fhe lisfener. The imporfanf elemenfs are rafher rhyfhmic arficulafion, coordinafed phraseology, melodic line and harmonic movemenf. Whaf counfs mef- ronomically is fhe alferafion of speed wifhin a framework once a fempo is sef. Composers are offen poor performers and hesifafe shamefully before indicafing fheir fempos. Even when fhey are capable of giving audible shape fo fheir music, fhey are so occupied wifh fhe numerous defails and hidden elemenfs of fhe form fhaf fhe flow is hampered. Usually fempo indicafions are puf on fhe score affer fhe complefion of a work. Af fhis poinf fhe composer is an inferprefer. His concepfion now is of no more value fhan any ofher performer. Many works have had fheir mefronome marks inserfed while being rushed fo fhe publisher. Ofhers have been kepf long affer fhe dead- line only fo have been sfudied mefronomically by a faulfy ficker. This does nof give fhe sfudenf fhe righf fo violafe a composer's wish. Buf offen, fhe fempo secref lies somewhere beyond fhe brackefed figure af fhe fop of fhe prinfed page. VINCENT PERSICHETTI Music is a kind of inarficulafe, unfafhomable speech, which leads us fo fhe edge of fhe infinife, and lefs us for a momenf gaze info fhaf. -CARLYLE.

Page 26 text:

The Fellowship of fhe Philadelphia Conservafory of Music opened ifs fall season by giving a fea parfy in Ocfober for 'rhe new sfudenfs and faculfy. A spirif of friendliness and unselfish inferesf in ofhers per- meafed fhe afmosphere. The annual Chrisfmas Program was given af fhe Efhical Sociefy affer a gracious welcome by Presidenf Lesley Cafhcarf. Many members 'look parf in fhe program of ensemble and solo music. Dr. Dengler led fhe audience in singing Chrisfmas Carols in his inimifable way: resulf, we all sounded like a frained Chorus. Members and friends came fo a recepfion af ZI6. Shorfly, a visifor and his liffle helper arrived fo sur- prise everyone. Perhaps you have a guess: Tired girls were dancing with partners half dead, While nightmares of Concerts danced round in our heads. When what to our wondering eyes should appear, But jolly St. Nick with his elf standing near. A bundle of toys he had flung on his back, And he looked like a peddler just opening his pack. lThank you B. S.l The Chrisfmas vacafion pasf, we became serious once more. High lighfs in fhe Fellowship Programs included, a lecfure on Confemporary Music by Perry O'Neil in which he persuaded everyone fo guess 'rhe composer, as well as fhe fifle and fhe performers of 'ihe recordings: a fine falk on Arf and ifs relafionship fo Music was given by Keifh Robin- son which sfimulafed a mosf inferesfing and lively discussion. Mrs. Grefchen Amrhein presenfed a comprehensive inferesfing re- sume of a new book, The Lowells. We music sfudenfs liked fhis excursion info hisforical evenfs describing several generafions of mosf giffed cap- able, pioneers, whose descendanfs are men of imporfance foday. Gail Shoemaker and her mofher, Mrs. Orlando Shoemaker, fold us of 'l'he growfh and developmenf of fheir Marioneffe Shows and lei' us become infimafely acquainfed wifh some of fheir charming personages. They are inferesfing liffle characfers, beaufifully wroughf and we hope io see The Sleeping Beaufy soon. Sfudenfs of Dr. Persichef+i's Composifion Class gave a program of fheir mosf recenf works. We fhoroughly enjoyed lisfening fo fhe resulfs of fhis year's developmenf of creafive falenf. Composers of fhe fufure, we salufe you!! Our famous Fellowship Dinner will fake place in May and of course a good 'lime will be had by all. THE ROVING REPORTER

Page 28 text:

mar!! premier Anodder vodka, snarled fhe eminenf Russian pianisf, Jascha Rorowifz. Humph! Zey vanf me fo play new American concerfo by Jones. Based on Indian fhemes, yef. How zey vill laugh in Moscow. Easy now, J. R. purred his suave manager, Mr. Hudson. Mr. Hudson was in a good humor because he had iusf posed for fhe 'Man of Disfincfion,' and fhey lef him have fhe drink. Think of 'rhe furor if will cause. Famous Russian pianisf gives premier of new concerfo by obscure composer from Oklahoma. lf will open up a new musical fronfier in fhe Soufhwes'l'. His laugh finkled like a cash regisfer. ' Ja, buf da idiof broughf zombies along fo play fom-foms wifh orchesfra. Maybe zey beaf so loud, nobody hear muzik. Well, if's almosf fime for rehearsal, said Mr. Hudson. We'd beffer go on over fo fhe hall. You know how Sfoblowski hafes fo be kepf waifing. So saying, fhey walked fo fhe curb, hailed a passing faxi, and were soon deposifed in fronf of Carnegie Hall. As fhey mounfed fhe sfeps, fhey became aware of greaf confusion from inside. The manager of fhe hall came rushing ouf. Don'f worry, Mr. Hudson, he panfed. We're frying fo smoofh fhings ouf peacefully. The whole percussion secfion iusf walked ouf be- cause fhe Indians Jones hired fo play fhe fom-foms gof paid more fhan fheir union wages. We senf fo union headquarfers for subsfifufes, so 'rhey oughf fo be here any minufe. Anyway, Sfoblowski is ready fo con- ducf fhe concerfo, so you'd beffer gef inside. The inferior of fhe audiforium showed signs of a recenf sfruggle. Arrows were sficking ouf of fhe curfains, a fomahawk was imbedded in fhe podium, and several seafs in fhe fronf row had been smashed 'ro pieces. In fhe background a few Indians were quiefly seffing up drums, gourds and raffles. Repair men were replacing fhe legs on fhe Sfeinway, and over all reigned Sfololowski, in complefe confrol of fhe sifuafion, lisfening fo 'l'he orchesfra fune up. From here if will nof be necessary fo confinue. The nofed crific, Girvil Nospmofh, ran fhe complefe sfory in his column fhe following morning: