LONG LIVE

The Sunday papers reported snowstorms in the Eastern States; all Saturday it rained and there were no baseball games played. In general the world looked as if spring had not yet come. Today, however, the Pops Concerts begin at Symphony Hall and there is no more doubt about it--spring is here.

Forty-three years ago people sat at tables and drank their beer while listening for the first time thus informally to the Boston Symphony Orchestra. The experiment proved so successful that the concerts acquired the name of "Pops" and thrived. Tonight, just as forty-three years ago, people group themselves around tables and listen to the orchestra--only tonight soft drinks will take the place of the beer of years gone by.

The music will be much the same as in the earlier days. Eighty players will take part in the entertainment, a greater number than the original concert boasted, to be sure; and with the additional attraction of Alfredo Casella, who last year gave the concerts a new significance, the Pops seem assured of yet another successful season. Forty-three years are none too many for such a pleasant institution as these concerts have proven themselves, and it is to be hoped that they will survive to see many another birthday.