THE MICHIGAN DAILY hiladelphia Orchestra, Founded In 1900, Entering 40th Season C. _______________________________________ N 4 Conductors Have Headed Organization The Philadelphia Orchestra this year enters its 40th season as a mu-f sical organization. Founded in 19001 "to encourage the performance of first class orchestral music in the city of Philadelphia," it has grown from its original modest proportions to a concert instrument of the first rank, composed of 100 virtuoso mu- sicians. There have been four conductors of the Philadelphia Orchestra. Fritz Scheel, who began with the orchestra in 1900, established during the seven years of incumbency the firm foun- dation and high standards since maintained by the organization. Up- on his death in March, 1907, a worthy successor was selected in Carl Pohlig, who left the position of First Court Conductor at Stuttgart by permis- sion of the King of Wurtemberg, to accept the proffered post in America. He was succeeded in 1912 by Leopold Stokowski, who developed the orches- tra to the post of high eminence, which it occupies in the world of' music today. Sharing the leadership; with Mr. Stokowski is Eugene Or- mandy, former conductor of thei Minneapolis Symphony, whose bril-7 liant musicianship ',and virtuosity. have been widely acclaimed.1 Virtually every artist of distinc-I Ormandy Directs Concert Orchestra Of 100 Virtuosos 'Roxy' Paved Way For Ormandy's Brilliant Career As A Conductor Eugene Ormandy was born in Bud- apest in November, 1899. His father named him for Jeno Hubay, the famous Hungarian violinist. Predes- tined for music, at the age of two he could identify the compositions, after hearing the first measures. Almost before he was able to stand he was drawing recognizable tones from a one-eighth size fiddle made especially for -his use. He was five when the Royal Academy of Music accepted him as the youngest pupil ever admitted to the famous school. Ormandy's first public appearance was at the age of seven. His master's degree was awarded him when lie was fourteen. Two years more brought him an Artist's Diploma, and at seven- teen he was made Professor of Music. His first trip to America was made at the age of twenty-one. The con- cert tour of the United States went glimmering. Penniless, with little knowledge of the language, Ormandy obtained a post as violinist in the last chair of the string section at the Capitol Theatre in New York and five days later S. L. Rothafel (Roxy) had made him concertmaster. At a moment's notice, some time later, he was called upon to substi- tute for a sick conductor. His success was such that he was made assistant conductor. The next step was into the field of major orchestras. Eugene Ormandy's first opportunity was at the Stadium Concerts, when he con- ducted the New York Philharmonic- Symphony Orchestra. So great was his success that when Arturo Toscan- mi fell ill and was unable to appear as Guest Conductor with the Phila- delphia Orchestra, Eugene Ormandy was selected to replace him. The call to Minneapolis followed the Phila- delphia engagement- For four years he was at the helm of the midwestern orchestra. In the spring of 1936 Or- mandy was engaged as co-conductor with Stokowski for a three-year period. Swarthout Debut NearlyRuined But Courageous Effort Drew Plaudits (Continued from Page 4) great warmth, richness and purity," the Baltimore Sun writes. "Lovely to look at and heaven to hear" . . "a voice as lovely as herself" has been other tributes- Miss Swarthout has gained addi- tional fame in radio and motion pic- tures. During the past four years she has been starred in four sound films: "Rose of the Rio Grande," "Give Us This Night," ,"Champagne Waltz" and "Romance in the Dark." She has also appeared as guest artist on in- numerable radio programs, but she still claims the concert stage is her "first love." tion in the musical world has ap- peared as soloist with he Philadel- phia Orchestra, and the guest con- ductors include such distinguished musicians as Richard Strauss, Al- fredo Casella, Georges Enesco, Igor Strawinsky, Vincent d'Indy, Willem Mengelb erg, Frederick Stock, Ossip Gabrilowitsch, Ottorino Respighi, Ar- turo Toscanini, Fritz Reiner, Sir Thomas Beecham and others equally renowned. The orchestra's repertory covers the widest range; it has been a tra- through the years of close unchang- dition to present the works, not only ing association an orchestral "body of contemporary European compos- capable of handling with utmost ef- ers, but also those of American mu- fectiveness the great compositions of sicians. There has been evolved all schools, from classic and romantic sto the ultra modern. I It JAN, TH E 1939 MAY F EST IVAL 11 I r, PEERCE, Presents "I GEORGES MARIAN ANDERSON "One of the greatest singers of our tie."-N. Y. Times ENESCO I Composer - Conductor - Violinist fl at J, The May Festival The internationally famous American contralto, Marian Anderson, is now in this country on her fourth transcontinental tour. On Friday night, in Hill Auditorium, she will present a program, singing with the Men's Chorus of the Choral Union and the Philadelphia Orchestra. In the past, Marian Anderson has been received with much enthusiasm by Aun Arbor audiences and in response to many insistent demands she returns to Ann Arbor for the 1939 May Festival. .. a tenor of splendid vocal endowment. There was no doubt of his success, the au- dience clamoring for encores. -Cleveland Press, March 3, 1937 "It seemed to me that I had never heard Sigmund sung so beautifully, so easily and so intelligently." -Samuel Chotzinoff in New York Post Peerce possesses a phenomenal voice. It has top and low range in fullness and its natural quality is of heroic timbre. - Pittsburgh Sun-Telegraph, March 8, 1937 I ALL ENESCO PROGRAM Saturday Afternoon - May 13 HILL AUDITORIUM FOURTH MAY FESTIVAL CONCERT MAV FESTIVAL Friday Evening, May 12, 8:30 L El The 1939 . .. The University of Michigan School of Music presents the forty-sixth annual May Festival, to be held May 10-13. For almost five decades the May Festivals have presented the out- standing Music Personalities, and this year have again attained the same high standards. I ORGANIZATIONS THE PHILADELPHIA ORCHESTRA Conducted by Eugene Ormandy THE UNIVERSITY CHORAL UNION Directed by Earl V. Moore. THE YOUNG PEOPLE'S CHORUS Juva Higbee, Conductor. SOLOISTS HELEN JEPSON .....Soprano GLADYS SWARTHOUT . ...Soprano SELMA 'AMANSKY .. . . . . Soprano MARIAN ANDERSON..... ....Contralto ELIZABETH WYSOR...........Contralto GIOVANNI MARTINELLI..........Tenor JAN PEERCE.....................Tenor GIUSEPPE CAVADORE............Tenor RICHARD BONELLI .............Baritone NORMAN CORDON Baritone EZIO PINZA ......... . . .... ... Bass GEORGES ENESCO ,..........Violinist RUDOLF SERKIN ....... ..Pianist CHORAL WORKS Otello Verdi Bralhms Alto Rhapsody Choral Symphony Psalmus Hungaricus McDonald Kodaly 1I PRICES: SEASON TICKETS (Six Con MAY FESTIVAL COUPONS INDIVIDUAL C 0 N C E R T Certs) may be ordered at the from Season Choral Union Tick= TICKETS will be taken from the Main Office of the School of ets entitles original holders to unsold season tickets and will be A ' I