Musical Journeys

The traces of the war have begun to disappear little by little, and the ties that bound the world together in times past have begun to knit firm anew; Europe, and the world, are no longer scattered units. Thus the exchange between the countries has begun, and the people of Britain, who kept to their island a long while, have started to leave it with their music in their company. Nor will the musical exchange be confined to Europe alone — though Europe is the most important of the centers — but will pass beyond it to all the lands that wish to develop musical relations with our country.

Yes, this exchange has actually begun; and never on any day have we British, or the rest of the nations, been more interested in foreign music than is the case today. Six years have gone by with musical production — little though it was — shut up within each country's borders, and this is the source of today's intense longing.

We in Britain know that valuable works have appeared during this period, and most likely this is the case in most parts of Europe. But we know nothing of the situation in Germany; perhaps production there was confined to the music of war propaganda. In saying this, we hope the days will prove us wrong.

There is no doubt that the music of France has stayed alive: many songs and anthems went round, springing from the ranks of the men of the resistance, written by Francis Poulenc and carried over to Britain shortly after the invasion of Europe. No news has yet come from Italy. As for America, we know something of her, for a part of her entertaining musical production reached us during the war.

All these musical contacts will grow in effect after the great festival of the International Society for Contemporary Music, which will be held in London during the coming summer.

The moment the restrictions on the journeys of orchestras were lifted, the London orchestra seized the opportunity, and I have learned that its journey aroused great admiration throughout the Continent. Its journey resulted in an exchange of orchestras: while the London orchestra was in Paris, the orchestra of the Paris Conservatoire was playing in London. In a few weeks another orchestra will come from Amsterdam.

All these journeys are a happy sign that the frontiers between the nations are beginning to disappear once more, and that free exchange — in music at least — is on the point of returning again.