SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

Dominion, Volume 30, Issue 174, 20 April 1937, Page 3

SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

Toscanini Conducts at Tel Aviv Those people who are fond of'music and have good radio sets will probably have heard the superb violin playing of Bronislav Huberman, one of the world’s greatest violinists, now under engagement to the Australian broadcasting Board. Huberman is a Polish Jew who has done much for music, and that without ever debasing his art. A few weeks ago Arturo Toscanini, the foremost conductor of the present day, was induced to visit Tel Aviv, the Zionist capital city in Palestine, and there conduct the Palestine Symphony Orchestra. A few years ago Tel Aviv was but a village on the fringe of the Palestine desert. To-day it is a flourishing city, with many fine buildings and a symphony orchestra. It was the work of Huberman that made the visit of Toscanini possible. When he toured Palestine some 15 months ago, Huberman was so impressed with the attendances and the enthusiasm of audiences that lie decided to build them an orchestra. He gave up his very considerable teaching practice in Vienna and went to Tel Aviv, where he had no difficulty in securing musicians from all parts of the world. All the world became interested, for the new orchestra’s trust fund is administered by such influential Jews as Israel Sieff (London), Dannie Heinnemann (Belgium), Colonel F. H. Kiscli (Palestine) and .Solomon Horowitz (Palestine), while Albert Einstein is the honorary president of the United States branch of the organisation. The concerts which took place under Toscanini’s leadership were held in the Levant Fair Grounds, where the Italian Pavilion was packed to capacity. Artists engaged for the present season include Adolf Busch (violinist) and I’ablo Casals (cellist), while the orchestra under Toscanini will give concerts in Jerusalem, Haifa, Cairo and Alexandria. After that, such conductors as Issay Dobrowen (late of San Francisco). Wilhelm Steinberg and I Michael Taube will assist with (lie baton.