THE NEW YORK TIMES, MONDAY, DECEMBER 4, 1978 W ashington Honors 5 in the Arts

By BARBARA GAMAREKIAN

Special to The New York Times WASHINGTON, Dec. 3 — As legend­ ary and luminous figures from the musical comedy, opera, the dance, theater, film and classical music streamed into the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in their black-tie finery this evening, one be­ came convinced that footlights across the countryside must be dimmed — and Broadway dark. For the entire per­ forming arts community appeared to have gathered for one momentous sen­ timental evening under one roof. The occasion was to honor five art­ ists who had been chosen as the first re­ cipients of the annual Kennedy Center Honors: Marian Anderson, Fred As­ taire, George Balanchine, Richard Rodgers and Arthur Rubinstein. As they sat in the box tier of the Opera House — to the right of Presi­ dent and Mrs. Carter — their friends, colleagues and admirers, whose lives had been influenced and touched by their brilliance, paid tribute to them through film, song and the dance. Personal Tributes There were verbal offerings as well. Old friends with personal words for their mentors: Edward Villella to Mr. Balanchine; Harry Belafonte to Miss Anderson; Douglas Fairbanks Jr. to Fred Astaire; Isaac Stem to Mr. Rubinstein, and Mary Martin to Mr. Rodgers. “He’s the one person I will never, never wash out of my hair,” said Mary Martin of Richard Rodgers. And Harry Belafonte, looking up to Marian Ander­ The New York Times/Teresa Zabala son, said, “For us who raise our voices Arthur and Aniela Rubinstein as they were greeted by President and Mrs. Carter at the White House last night. Mr. in song, there is one person who has Rubinstein, the composer, was one of five artists chosen as the first recipients of the Kennedy Center Honors. been both an artistic pioneer and a spiritual inspiration.” But Mr. Stem’s remarks perhaps blond tresses could be glimpsed over know, the more I think about it the the Todd Duncans, the Eugene Isto-* conveyed best the sense of continuity Walter Cronkite’s shoulder, and Vera more I feel that it is a bit difficult to put mins, Melissa Hayden, Estelle Par­ and inspiration that artists had discov­ Zorina chatted with the Jody Powells. into words all the things you actually sons, Twyla Tharp, Jacques d’Amboise ered in the work of these five, when he Roger L. Stevens, chairman of the feel. It is wonderful to say we are very and Gian Carlo Menotti. said of Mr. Rubinstein, “Any musician Kennedy Center, said the idea behind grateful and thankful for this great honor, but that does not touch exactly Putting the evening together was an when he plays has somewhere in the the honors program, initiated this year, enormous undertaking, likened to back of his ears the influence and the “is to help build more enthusiasm for the spring from which my feelings “choreographing a hurricane” by Wil­ sound of Rubinstein.” the performing arts and bring the pub­ come — there are many many words, liam Harbach, the television producer The two-hour program, divided into lic’s attention to the artist’s true place but none are adequate.” in society.” who joined Nick Vanoff and George five segments each focusing on one of "It’s wonderful, wonderful,” said Stevens Jr. to lend a hand with the Ken­ the honorees, ranged from Grace Bum­ ‘They Honor Us’ Mr. Rodgers who learned esophageal ney Center production, which will be bry singing “Vissi d’Arte” and Aretha At an earlier White House reception speech after his laryngectomy four shown on CBS-TV Tuesday evening. Franklin and the Howard University proceeding the gala, President Carter years ago. “Presenting medals and making Choir singing gospel music to 83-year- told the assembled throng of 700 “these It was Alberta Hunter’s first visit to speeches is not what this is all about,” old Alberta Hunter, whose hot rendition five people — Americans, great,be­ the White House and “I’m thrilled to be said Mr. Stevens. “It is to celebrate the of “I Cried for You” sent the crowd into loved — come here tonight to be hon­ able to say hello to my President,” she performing arts and to honor these five a frenzy of stomping, and Leonard ored through the auspices of the said. people — these definitive artists who Bernstein and the entire company of Kennedy Center, but as a matter of fact ’’It gives the arts some aristocracy,” have set the pace. ” “A Chorus Line.” they come here to honor us and all the said Alan Lerner of the occasion. “ I He recalled the words of President A Rodgers medley was sung by Tony le of the world.” think it is the best thing that has hap­ Kennedy at a fund-raiser for the pro­ Bennett, Florence Henderson and John e five honorees had arrived at the pened in the arts in this country — you posed center when it was but a dream: Raitt, and Peter Martins and Suzanne White House wearing their rather can be knighted in England and they “I look forward to an America which Farrell of the New York City Ballet .avant-garde medal with its garland of have the Legion de Honore in France, will not be afraid of grace and beauty danced a pas de deux. seven ribbons in brilliant hues except but this is the first time we have had ... which will reward achievement in In the audience of 2,000, Swifty Lazar for Mr. Rubinstein who said that “it national recognition for excellence in the arts as we reward achievement in sat elbow to elbow with David Brink- makes me look like a prize bull. ’ ’ the arts in this country. business or statecraft. ” ley; Gerald Rafshoon found himself on Miss Anderson was asked how she Glimpsed in the milling crowd were “That’s what it is really all about,” Alicia Alonso’s right; Ginger Rogers’s felt about the evening. She said: “You the Neil Diamonds, the Ben Vereens, said Mr. Stevens.