Music: Solomon’s Judgment

The Chicago Woman’s Symphony, now entering its 16th season, is one of the best woman’s symphony orchestras in the U. S. But it has not always been the most jocund. Last week the Woman’s Symphony emerged from a squabble that was different. Its cause was the orchestra’s lone man: small, dark, hungry-looking Conductor Izler Solomon.

When Mrs. James Shakman, the orchestra’s chief backer, persuaded Columbia Broadcasting System to find the orchestra a radio sponsor—Libbey-Owens-Ford Glass Co.—everyone, including Conductor Solomon, was elated. Then Conductor Solomon learned with horror that he was expected to play light music. Conductor Solomon declined to play. Libbey-Owens-Ford thereupon offered a compromise: Mr. Solomon could play his U. S. novelties, choose two other pieces on each program, providing he would try to keep it light. But Mr. Solomon would have to let guest artists play what they had a mind to. Conductor Solomon accepted.

Last Sunday the Woman’s Symphony program, called Design for Happiness (CBS network, 5-5:30 p.m. E. S. T.), had its debut. Guests were Mezzo-soprano Gladys Swarthout and her sister, Roma Slaughter, a soprano and singing teacher; they sang songs which Mr. Solomon did not find too objectionable. He played light Smetana and Tchaikovsky, a piece by one Robert L. Sanders called Saturday Night (a barn dance). The 65 Symphony players, chosen from the orchestra’s fighting strength of 87, celebrated their first broadcast by wearing completely new outfits: flame-sashed electric blue gowns, with skirts six yards around.