Music: Music, Mar. 19, 1945

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The violin of Lisa Hilels, who wrote this thank-you note, is one of many instruments that will play like new on the Neva River this spring. The strings, rosin and bow horsehair which revitalized Lisa's violin were her allotment from three cases of musical supplies presented to the Leningrad Philharmonic by the Philadelphia Orchestra.

When the German siege of their city was raised, Leningrad's musicians appealed to Russian War Relief for supplies. Three empty packing cases soon appeared backstage at the Philadelphia Orchestra's rehearsal hall, were quickly filled with $5,000 worth of instruments, valve oil, music writing paper, strings, reeds, mouthpieces, cane stick for oboes and such unmusical gifts as shower curtains and dresses.

The cases from Philadelphia started their Soviet journey a year ago. Last week Philadelphia's Conductor Eugene Ormandy had a neat pile of grateful letters from such U.S.S.R. music notables as Leningrad Philharmonic Director A. Ponomarev, Conductor E. Mpavinski, Concert Violinist David Oistrakh and 55 of their musicians. Samples:

¶ "We follow with keen interest the ... musical life of America, look over the programs of the best symphony orchestras, soloists, listen to records. . . ."

¶ "The letters which came with your gifts, permeated with heartfelt warmth to us Soviet musicians, will serve as a symbol...."

¶ "A mighty friendship links Soviet and American citizens. An even warmer friendship links people who practice the same profession. ... We hope to have the possibility of giving your hand a firm shake, personally, as a friend. . . ."

March Records

The record-makers are celebrating the end of "Little Caesar" Petrillo's two-and-a-half-year strangle hold on new discs with a flood of new albums. Among the new issues: Berlioz: Harold in Italy (Boston Symphony Orchestra, Serge Koussevitzky conducting, with Violo Soloist William Primrose; Victor; 10 sides). An imaginative Koussevitzky reading — and the first complete recording ever made — of the obscure program symphony based on By ron's Childe Harold. Recording: first-rate.

Tchaikovsky: Symphony No. 6 (Pathetique) (New York Philharmonic-Symphony, Artur Rodzinski conducting; Columbia; 10 sides). A fairly stormy handling of a composer who is essentially lyrical, even in the brooding Pathetique.

Recording: good.

Beethoven: Symphony No. 7 (Philadelphia Orchestra, Eugene Ormandy conducting; Columbia; 10 sides). Knowingly aimed at the sizable group which likes its Beethoven given the full bombastic treatment.

Recording: good.

Wagner: Scenes from Five Operas (Lauritz Melchior, with Kirsten Flagstad and the San Francisco Opera Orchestra, Edwin McArthur conducting; Victor; 10 sides). An anthology of the No. 1 U.S. Heldentenor's big Met moments. Performance: good. Recording: uneven.