POLITICS AND ART

Radio Record, 12 June 1936, Page 15

POLITICS AND ART

"ROM Italy comes the news that be‘cause Poland is one of the countries applying sanctions, Arthur Rubinstein was not allowed to give a concert in Milan. The conductor Issay Dobrowen happens to come from White Russia, not the U.S.8.BR., so he was allowed to conduct two concerts in Rome, But he had to eliminate Tchaikowsky's Fifth Symphony from one of his programmes because Tchaikowsky is under the ban. There was very nearly a riot when the name of Lydia Ivanova appeared on a programme-until it was revealed that the lady had acquired Italian nationality, and was, in fact, a pupil of Respighi, whose death occurred re cently. The operatic situation in Rome and Milan is curious, even laughable. One would think that I] Duce would either go the whole hog or else’ let things be; but at Seala, it appears. "Samson and, Delila" is allowed, although two other French operas have been cancelled. Debussy’s Pelleas and Melisande" has also been declared immune; 50 much so that a prize of 15,000 lire has been offered for new designs for the numerous Scenes and dresses from this opera. The idea behind this discrimination appears. to pe that if a French opera ix "of supreme cultural value," it is intigune from the political veto, but if it if just an ordinarily good upera, out it goes Presumably the cultura] valye of "Samson" jies in the fact that it deals with a story in the Oid Testament, me Comforting news. however, states that Malpiero’s new opera, "Juliys Caesar." whieh has a Shakespearean libretto, is permitted to be performed in Italy, despite the deplorable fact that.Shakéspeare sas an Englishman From Germany it is reported that more than one attempt has been made to induce Hrich Kleiber, the conductor to return from his self-imposed exile. Kleiber, who is an Austrian. was mysj}cal director of the Berlin State Operaperhaps the most sought-after musical post in the couhtry-hbefore the Hitler regime When the Nazis came '‘inta power and began interfering with artistie matters which they didn't understand, Kleiber was attacked by the authorities for performing gertain music. which, being "advanced," was considered dangerous to the morals vj the public. © ~ At about the same time Furtwangler wus "pn the mat’ for presuming to defehd Hindemith, whose mysi¢ was forbidden to be performed in Nazi Ger- many, Furtwangler was relieved of his position, Kleiper resigned his and returned to his gative country, Subsequently Furtwangler promised to be a gdéoq boy, and was graciously reinstatel But Mleiber stuck to his guns, and has been spending his time appearing as guest conductor in every Continental country except Germany, Now they want him back again; but, to pnt it plainly, be isn't haying any. It would seem that the present rulers of Nazi Germany have much arrogance but little pride.