4ateriaa 'mid( Periodical Coder

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CLIPTON ATINU1 - CINCINNATI 20, OHIO

9

THE DETROIT JEWISH CHRONICLE and THE LEGAL CHRONICLE

The Principals of the Pageant and Its Musical Background

PRINCIPALS OF PRODUCTION

WORLD WAR DROVE
SCOTT TO DANCING

MUSICAL BACKGROUND OF THE PAGEANT

1':t1 h1 from sources whose origin is as ancient as that
of the Hebrew race, whose spirit it expressed, the music
used in "The Romance of a People" dates back, in largest
_ ____
Avrum Matthews
The Singing Voice ..
The Romantic Career of the part, at least 2,500 years.
Ralph Schoolman
The Narrator
Dancing Director of "The
The product of years of collection by Dr. A. Z. Wel-
Lionel Braharn
High Priest of Moloch
sohn, professor of Jewish music at the Hebrew Union
Romance of a People."
Gustav
Schacht
College, Cincinnati, is incorporated in a majority of the
Abraham
Charles Adler
Tilt.. World War drove Blake chants of the pageant. All of the music, however, was
.
Moses
Schauer
I..
Emma
seott to dancing.
Isabella, Queen of Spain
specially arranged by ;Air. Van Grove and Leo Kopp or
Lasar Galpern
A Chassid (Solo Dancer)
The dance director a "The Ho-
be treated by them to fit the mood of the theme.
AI SO: Worshipers of Moloch, dancers, slaves
wane,. of a People" would still
The music is distinctly Hebraic, some of it having an
agzling invokes and worrying Arabic influence; the rhythmic structure is very much as is
dragging idols; whip-men; priests and pr iest-
about the tariff situation in an
esses; prophets of Moloch; ('Ian of Abraham;
used in modern composition, the rhythms varying from bar
Egyptian overseers; Jewish slaves; dancing
to bar. The accent upon the word dominates and deter-
maidens of Israel; Arabs and caravans; children,
mines what the rhythm shall be. In a composition like
maidens and old people of Jerusalem; centur-
"Borchi Nafshi," which is heard in the prologue, there
ions; soldiers; torch-bearers; mourners; work-
1
blances to Stravinsky. In "Judith"
of
are distinct resemblances
ers; chalutzim.
Honegger there are almost identical phrases, probably
taken from the same source. Thus, modern music finds
SOIA)I sT
sonic of its, ancestry in the primitiveness of Hebrew melo-
Avrum Matthews
dies. Many of the latter were probably part of the services
PRODU(TION STAFF
in the Temple at Jerusalem. Others are expressions of
Meyer W. Weisgal ,., '
the folk spirit whose origin is less certain.
General Director
Kurt Peiser
Executive Director
The difficulty in recreating the ancient Hebrew music
Joseph Brainin
Associate Director
is due to the fact that it was not written out but was
Isaac Van Grove
General Production Director
merely indicated by "trops," which would seem to be the
Blake Scott
Associate Production Director
same sort of memory joggers as what in the medieval
Lasar Galpern
Associate Production Director
music of Europe were called "Neumes."
Leo Kopp
•
General Music Director
Lee Rosenthal
A "trop" is a cryptic sign of varying form placed above
Cue Director
w
Mand ie Kay
or under a word. The melodies were
taught by ear, and
Stage Manager
Schht each trip reminded the singers of the note or vocal turn
Stage Manager
Joe Van
Grove
Daniel
V.
Stage t Director
L. Tuchinsky ' demanded. A further difficulty is found in the fact that
tant
H.
I he meanings were not uniform, that a trop meant one note
Casig
BLAKE SCOT T
Assis Director
Lighting Technician Edward Dolan
or on e 'real device here and something quite different
John Ward' nanort and export business if he there. However, the score for the pageant has been writ-
Master of Properties
contracted
neuritis
while
George Brosseau had not
ten out in modern notes with the utmost accuracy,
Stage Carpenter
Peter Clark stationed in Siberia and subse -
Throughout the score use is made of Yemenite, Persian
Stage Designer
Julian Clarence Levi quently taken up dancing to cure or Spanish Jewish melodies, The music for the dance of
Arc hitect
Lasar Galpern this malady.
Miriam is of a desert type and may even be heard today
Costume Designer
Anthony L. Stivanello
Mr. Scott doesn't look like an among the dervishes of the Sudan.
Master Costumer
Adolph Senz invalid. Ile doesn't look like a
One of the compositions created originally by Mr. Van
Make - Up Artist
Dances Created and staged by Lasar Galpern, Blake Scott dancer.
Grove is the Bacchanale, which accompanies the scene in
"Thanks for both," he replied
,
W hich the virgin is sacrificed to the god, Moloch, in ac-
"People in
observed. But it is expected that
cordance with the ancient rites.
country
don't take so kindly
local committees will center its to this
this
observation.
is written in the primitive manner. It is typical of
„rvan,, aro und a ft ernoo n civic to men dancers. In Euro e it is It homophonic melodies which have come down front
mass meetings. Ordinarily these different. They have grown up • the
ancient times. According to present musical science, the
A Y
will be held in centrally located with a background of dance his- authentic Hebrew melodies have no relationship to har-
1 1 A
tkr
R

In Order of Appearance

sup

BROTHERHOOD DAY 29
SUND PRIL

•

l auditoriums, n ot houses of wor- try in which men played us in,-,
Sunday, April '- '9, has been ship, and will have Catholic, Prot- portant and natural a part as
designated as "Brotherhood Day
extant and Jewish speakers, either women.
for national observance, by lead- l clergy or laymen. The meetings.. , pas
country is becoming
era among America's Protestants, !wil1. suggest coin•rete community ,
too, especially
It
will
be
and
Jews.
catholies
activities in which local Cathie dance-conscious,
There is a
•tiLoung people.
sponsored by the National C o nf e r- tics, Protestants and Jews can on t,!!,,a,
understanding of men
N
. e w
voce of Jews and Chr i st i ans,
and
gage together.
If appropriate, the civic meet- ' g (lancers
the ballets
York.
by the
roans. through
But I suppose

fi

mom%
Theoutstanding composition in the pageant that is of
late origin is the "Dudele," a Chassidic melody symbol-
izing the joy in humility of this middle nineteenth century
Jewish sect. Overwhelmed by the persecution which sur-
rounded them in the Slavic, countries, these Jews adopted
mystical
outlook that enabled them to endure their
.
wretchedness. They ignored the outer world and (let - 1'-
sated themselves to frank joyousness. They danced and
00es and towns in every part ings might take a collection for time men dancers are as (MMus sang with savage abandon. The Chassidic dance, which
of the land are preparing to ob- the work of the National Confer-
accompanies the music, is the only dance in the world
s. 1 and
serve this special day on inter- (lice of Jews and Christian.
understandable
football
players,
I'll be out of as
dancing--I
created out of humility.
,
.
goodwill
and
united
effort.
Every
possible
religious,
civic
l
groan
hope
The Hebrew music proves that the Gregorian chant
'o.
Initiated on the suggestion of ; an d serv i ce organization of men 1 °M.
•
"Not that I don't like it
"N
'
* But
I ' I 'S r'el' y closely related to the music that was heard in the
e urged to hold
ww;;;,
j;
w
ill
b
Hugh
L.
McMenamin
of
,,,,.
What
Father
Brotherhood ! should like to be a Producer.
Temel pat J(ruszdem. "Shuvo, Shuvo," the song of the
the Catholic Cathedral' at Denver, !i t , own observance of
l
. i
F
1 really want to do is lc, produce a
1 .
a ... - A Declaration
s a.% es in . gypt, is obviously similar to the Gre-
e m s
of Brother. .
la
Day.
and since then approved by many D
gorian mode. Resemblance to the chant is also to be found
leaders of the three religious hoot!" card, which makes several!' pure
drama
of
movement.
..,
There
a
.
on
n
e
i
i, that •d
'The H
an ecstatic song of exultation in the pa-
• • not purely i n "HatHelujah
a I • a
gro ups in all sections of the coon- b r i e f • pointed affirmations based it People
i i
, but this
try, Brotherhood Day is noW being on the Golden Rule, will be avail- a drama of movement—it has geant.

intensively promoted by the Na- able for reading, distribution and

singing lilid acting embodied in
tonal Conference with the co- •gn
•ng.
,ii
.o ."
cold in Siberia, where I was sta- ' them," he said. "And, as a mat-
t
All churches are being urged i als
operation of local leaders every'-
For the last six years Mr. Scott tinned with the Canadian High- ter of fact, I believe that the
to
attention
special
give
to
where.
I became paralyzed ma., dance, as a part of the
nd wherever has been connected in a director- binders.
pUrpose of Brotherhood Day, a
'Chi. announced
through my entire left side from mass theater, is the future for the
tin)
'
ava).
with
Ern
I
inn
"n
Brotherhood Day is carefully de- !possible to observe it in e very de-
tined. The day is not to deal with ,liartment. Among suggested feat- limners Civic Repertory Theater, neuritis and nothing would cure it. art. It is difficult to progress with
'• Against
where he has appeared in "Peter
doctrinal differences. It will not !ores are special sermons, discus- Against all medical advice, I this idea, because everyone wants
an ' thought I would try exercise. to be a star. Young people do not
Pan," "Romeo and Juliet" and
comm o n worship. It will 1 sion-group programs. a Brother-
other productions. Ile hopes some . Dancing and fencing seemed to be !realize that stars can he very few
not suggest a watering down of hood play, dialogues, talks and day to realize his drama of move- the most likely to have effect since and far between and that they
the
anyone's religious convictions. It , open forums.
h
they use all t e muscles in the would be better off and find more
of
Brotherhood met" in something like
Observance
will deal with Amer icans' vela-
body. My neuritis disappeared in real expression as an important
lions as citizens. The lull Will Day has been approved toy lending , linekIs relle " and is Melknindei.
dancing. A -in- I a short time, and I never have felt part of a perfect whole than as a
he
Mv
of Christians and Jews in all part s he is
suggest that the energies
mediocre individual.
I is teaching several hundred a trace of it since.
They include lay- ' h
Americans should be turned away of t he land.
,,. A year after I began study-
young Detroiters to dance in the
It is difficult to make young
d ele j .,„,,,,, bishops.nu m_
own
an
from prejudice and toward joint
jog- with the famous Fokine
pa ,100 .,. s pectacular pageant-drama which • i
in people understand the art of danc-
Protestants,
signors,
Priests,
rabbis.
constructive efforts.
.
New York —I had an opportunity
mot. is to open here April 10.
They think it is an emotional
Catholics and Jews can "rise above educat„,jd business men.
Night after night, often from to appear with Fokine and Mme.
old suspicions and prejudices, look Among them are Alfred E. Smith,
for Ways of effectively working Charles Evans Hughes, Jr., and 7:30 until midnight, he works with Fok ins! at the Hippodrome. I left thing to be put over without any
import and export job and technical background; they don't
the groups of young men and my
n , Felix M. Warburg of New York; ,
want to spend the necessary time
together in this crisis as citizen,
Why should I
with them, Banc- kept to dancing.
of American democracy, and main- Dr. John A. Lapp and Rev.. Dr
yo u'd learning what they are doing."
p
inc
for
them,
shouting
directions•
es.,
bad,
to
a
desk
when
I
lain and safeguard the American Robert Clements, Chicago; Bi s h o
M r. Scott has been associated
During the day he makes "blue he free and do the sort of work
ideal ,d religious freedom and William Scarlet I, St. Louis: Mon-
I with the Ziegfeld Follies, t he Ra-
Definite emphasis signor F. I,. Gassier, Baton Rouge. Prints" of the various posit ions of t hat kept me physically fit .^
brotherhood."
He had been studying dancing at vinia and Cincinnati (Opera Conn
roups on the huge stage.
will be placed on the educational I... Monsignor William M. Far• g
panics and the Grand Street Vol-
night after I left the office."
Bkh„„ seems never to tire.
K a „,,,,,,,
wk.hi ta.
approach to the problems of hu- re fl .
Mr. Scott never had liked ball- lies. Under the direction of Isaac•
"I
don't
tire
while
I'm
dancing,"
,
Ralph I.. Hayes, Catholic, Helena. •
um relationships.
ry city's observance of Montana: Rev. Dr. George W. he explained. The more I dance. room dancing and still doesn't. He Van Grove, now production direr-
E ve
, Texas; Rabbi C. E. the more energy I acquire—like prefers solo dancing, But he for of The Romance of a Peo-
Brotherhood Day will be planned Tru e tt, D a lla s
Mr, Scott prese nted Ravers
lly, and adapted to local con- Hillel Kauvar, Denver; Rabbi a dynamo. I discovered this when would rather direct 000 than five !pie,''
"olero" with the Chic ago Sym-
' ora
dancers.
1 first took up the work.
1
ditions. In some cities both April Harry Levi, Boston: Rev. Dr.
I "That was in 1920. I had taken j "I feel more at home with , phony Orchestra.
day will be Ralph W. Sockman, New York.
29 and the preceding