Cincinnati daily press. [volume] (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1860-1862, 1860-07-04
tcoMMUSIcATED.l
The CafhoIie Tale ~, nj, N N Nine ;a

To he Editors qfHe Daily Press:
The learned writer of an article on "School
| Commandments" which appeared in the
Cdtholie Telegraph of last Saturday, speaks oi
music as being the most dangerous of the
| fine arts in its influence on the young. The
assertion certainly has the merit Of being
| novel, though we doubt whether it will tend
to diminish the number of Euterpe's votaries
Painting, to give general definition, is
the art of initiating on canvas, by means OF
colors any thing which the eye beholds; OF
| of calling on the imagination for the descrip-
tion of scenes that live only in history and
tradition; or for the invention of fancies
Sculpture may be defined with the same
words. Poetry is the language of the imagi-
nation of the heart.
But what is music2 Let us consult some
standard theorists Harmony is combi-
nation of sounds pleasant TO the ear, melody
is succession of sounds agreeable to the ear
and making sense; the union of harmony and
melody constitutes music" Music is the
language of the emotions emusic is mans
ideal of the language spoken in heaven 1t
is difficult TO determine what music is; every
writer who has defined this term has done
so differently from his predecessors. To most
persons il is pleasurable excitement or, a
something which fills up the chinks of time,
in the saloon where conversation has gone
begging. To the true musician, to the tone
poet it is the language wherewith he discloses
the sublime sensations, the delights and sor-
rows Of his soul. ''
The musician works with sounds, the
painter with colors, the sculptor with clay,
and the poet with words. The creations OF
the painter and sculptor appeal more directly
to the understanding of the multitude than
the fabrics of words or sounds. The effect of
their labor is palpable, A picture of the
Graces or statue of Venus never fail to
awaken in their observer lawless passions.
But music can not have demoTalizing in-I
huence, for the reason that it is not generally
understood. There have been but few born
musicians, and, unless a man devote his life
time TO its study, he canDot comprehend this
language, and even then he will be unable to
to write with the same truthfulness as the
true tone-poet Spohr is an example of
made-musician Mozart and Beethoven were
born musicians. AS to poetry, il can not de-
scend sol far from the Helicon as to become
dangerous. There is no true poetry without
virtue.
The question now is, in what shape can
music, when administered to the young, be-
come hurtful? 1t is true, it may become sub
servient to words, mot poetry and thus ex-
ercise baneful influence on morality, or
rouse men to deeds of bloodshed; but then it
is the slave of the words; il takes the part of
the tyrants hangman, who must do, be it
right or wrong, as he is hidden. Lively tunes
may put the feet in motio9for the dance; and
then, as the couples whirlf around the room,
their souls may be in danger; but music here
is not the cause of the effect. The dancers
said; "We will have dance, and music shall
assist us" and Euterpe became the slave of
Terpischore. Let music act independently
of other arts, and its influence, far from being
dangerous, becomes ennobling, lifting the
soul far above this world, to realms of end
less bliss.
We hear men speak of the effeminaey and
OF the enervating effect of music, and they,
therefore, encourage the too prevalent want
of sympathy with this art. Eminent men,
in all ages, have devoted part of their time
to music. Plato, when the wintry SHOWS of
life had already woven q crown around his
brow, began the study of music Plutarch
took delight in it. Pope Gregory the Great
found ample time, outside Of his ponti6cial
duties, TO write works on music, and com
pose masses and hymns for the Church. Chal-
din, the most eminent mathematician of his
times, wrote treatises on music and invented
several musical instruments. Herschell, by
his mundane harmonies, paved the way TO
the harmonies OF the spheres. Wellington's
father was q composer Of recognized merit,
the son is not greater as general than the
father as musician. Even Mt this day many
Of the nobility of Europe are striving TO fill
a niche in the Temple Of Fame by means of
their musical labors the most famous COM
posers of the present day are Prince Ponia-i
towsky, of Russia and the Duke of Sake
Coburg- Gotha. ne sl
Ifthen, such men as Gregory the Great,
st. Ambrose, Abbots Lambilotte, Gerbert
Jannsen, Vogler and others, can meddle with
music without soiling their souls, we see not
that school boys and girls are in any danger
of losing their morals There are no SVrens