Olin Downes, considered one of the most influential music critics of his era, reviewed the concert performed Saturday afternoon at Carnegie Hall by the Boston Symphony Orchestra. This was the final performance of the orchestra's New York season. Dr. Koussevitzky conducted to acclaim. Saturday they performed David Diamond's "Rounds for Orchestra" and the New York premiere of Samuel Barber's Concerto for Violincello and Orchestra with Raya Garbousova as cellist. They also performed Brahms C minor symphony which Downes wrote was"manna for those with small taste for modernity." He reported that the "epical performance was followed by thunderous acclaim."
Downes review was surprisingly technical and at times hard to understand for one not trained in musicology. He did write that Diamond's music was "admirably fashioned," "joyous and vernal," and "refreshingly direct and brilliant" He also praised the conductor's interpretation for bringing out the full strength of the piece. He felt he had to hear the Barber concerto again to thoroughly grasp it. The last movement in particular was remarkable in its structure. He wrote that Miss Garbousova played her cello " with an authentically feminine warmth and in masterly style." He noted that the concerto had passages of great difficulty. Both composers were present and were long and warmly applauded when brought to the stage. Downes applauded Koussevitsky for presenting the works of young American composers. Earlier in the week the orchestra had played Aaron Copland's "Appalachian Spring." See the New Yorker review for more on these concerts, composers and performers.
Former mayor Fiorello La Guardia was scheduled to open the Carnegie "Pops" concerts on May 4. La Guardia was all over the place this week, attracting more press than his successor. He would lead the 70 members of the Philharmonic-Symphony Orchestra with a diamond-studded baton in "Patience and Fortitude," a march composed specifically for him. Patience and Fortitude were the nicknames La Guardia had given the two massive stone lions that stood guard at the entrance to the New York Public Library. Also conducting during the series were Artur Rodzinski, musical director of the Philharmonic, and Walter Handl, assistant conductor of the orchestra.
Pianist Sara Sokolsky-Fried gave a recital at Town Hall. Among her selections was the premiere of Bernard Gabriel's "Dance of the Atoms."
Classical music was covered more extensively in section two of The Times.