LEOPOLD STOKOWSKI AND HIS SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 37, 27 February 1937, Page 13

LEOPOLD STOKOWSKI AND HIS SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

In order that the movie-going public might have the cpportunity of hearing one of the most inspirihg fugues ever written, Leopold Stokowski, worldfamous symphony conductor, chose the fugue in G-minor, by Jehann Sebastian Bach, for the symphonio number in "The Big Broadcast of 19J7." "It has long been my dream to make a movie of one of Baeh's greatest fugues," Stokowski said, "and l am happy to bav© been able to make this dream come true, because I want to share with everyone the inspiration I have received from Baeh's music. This is the first time that anything lik© this has been attempted, and I am sure that everyone who loves music, ' even if he has not the slightest education, will under stahd the thrill of this great musio by Bach." Stokowski defined a fugue as a musical composition whose theme is repeated and imitated by the different instruments. "First one instrument plays the theme," he explained. "Later: a second ihstrumen^ plays it but in a contrasting key. Soon after a third plays the theme. Then ' a fourth and fifth and sixth. IJeanwhile all ' the. earlier instruments. have continUed play-. ing. As we listen to the music , we, see on the screen each instrument and. player as he begins to play. Later on not oiily single instruments, but groups of them begin to play the theme, until at the ebd; the whole orchestra is seen on the screen and the music reaches a thrilling -climax." ! In addition to Leopold Stekowski and his symphony orchestra, "The Big Broadcast of 1937" boasts perhaps the greatest cast of radio, stage and screen stars to be assembled for one picture. The performers inclpde Burns and Allen, Shirley Ross, Ray Milland, Bob Burns, Martin Raye, Larry Alder, Eleanore Whitney, • Louis DoPron and numerous pthers, who present spedalty items.