Bang the Drum Slowly.

This article critically appraises the musical composition of Robert Parris. Of the fairly large group of Washington modernist composers, only one--Parris--has contrived to arouse popular national interest, and he has done that just within the past week for his Concerto for Five Kettle Drums and Orchestra, introduced in Washington by Howard Mitchell and the National Symphony. As a conscientious composer of substantial accomplishments, there is no question that Parris' success with his piece is deserved and, in fact overdue. But there are questions that come to mind: first, how much will this coup do to get more hearings of Parris' large output of excellent chamber works.