Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1860-07-16

Music AT THE PROMENADE CONCERTS Editor
Sta,: Salaam. Last evening you favored your
readers with the eeond precious epistle of Mons
g An Admirer Of Good Music" Till saw the
epistle concluded that the discussion, so far as
the Stdr Is concerned, had ended. and that there
would De no more controversy on the subject.
rear that to continue the controversy with the
Admirer would only illustrate the well known
case OF certain village dominic But before
closing the record on my part, will say little
more m with your permission. An Admirer of
GOOD Music'' is a professor of ditto. All but
must assure you that when ] wished to excite an
Interest through the Star, as the best channel to
nave popular music at the promenade concerts
did SO for the best, and did not intend that nv
communication should pinch where, apparently
III mas Pinched. / am as much in avof Of music
as the " Admirer,r only differ with him as to
the KIND Of music for particular time and place
as there is time and place for everything 4
maintain that simple music is what will eve suit
the people, as the majority in every nation can
never have the time, the inclination, &C. TO ac-
CURE even knowledge of musical notation, stil
less can they acquire such knowledge of music
as to appreciate that music called Iclassical,n
and, therefore, cannot be influenced by it, In
literature all sane persons can acquire a certain
proficiency so as to able to read and understand
language 10 certain extent, tho the great major
Ivy, py circumstances, can HereT acquire such pro-
nclency as to understand Shakespeare, Milton, and
other writers, thoroughly. The people, there
lore must have reading suitable to their under
sanolng, so as to understand and appreciate what
they read or hear spoken.
so In music, the people, by circumstances, can
nerer acquire such proficiency to understand
and appreciate intricate pieces of music and, too
like Davy Crockett in literature they cannot
have the advantage Of dictionary when they do
not understand and appreciate the music. They
should, therefore, have popular music provided
Tor them at the Promenade Concerts This admi-
rer OF good music and solon of Washington states
certain truths in his own way, and reasons that
because learned man may know what an un-
learned man does not know, therefore the learned
man must dictate to him. This reasoning is per-
tlnent enough to many subjects, and will be so
to music when Scion gets the people to attend
at his school to learn music; but the reasoning is
not pertinent to the attendance at the Promenade
Concerts as they are now conducted Having
persuaded himself that he 10 learned man. the
admirer institutes himself dictator for the citi-
zens, and considers the Promenade Concerts 'tas
a school, I" from which he would really exclude
the people by bis dictation, But, granting that
these concerts may be so considered, then, I saw,
begin with simple music. till the people can an
preciate what is more intricate At literary
school would it not be folly to plate the orations
| OF Webster and Everett first before us, Such
should not 'be did" But at this popular school
| let us have what all can understand and those
who are classically inclined can 90 elsewhere or
be content occasionally to hear some Of the
classics. Many who attend this school, thong b
| they be what call illterate musicians NAV have
| IA good ear for music" and so enjoy and appre-
CT ate certain music more than many professional
thrummers, and will attend again and again TO
II n
ances would scare them
who said that Europeans are not fond of classi.
cal music, and who are the professors here who
Were laughed at by European laborers1 | know
little OF Europe, and have had the opportunity
there OF hearing instrumental and vocal muslC
performed In all their varieties from ssstreet i'd
ding" to stage operate screaming, through every
grade OF performer and so far as my opinion goes
| know that at all popular gatherings, popular
music is used and is most appreciated; and could
you witness the influence which the simple music
had over all you would vote yea for the same here
Allow me to say that the cultivation of mple
| music more than 1t is cultivated now is worthy OF
| consideration, and that, if those who devote Sc
much time TO require tenth rate imitation OF
| Ihalberg and Patti, In classical music were "a
devote their time to cultivate good, simple music
the progress OF music would not be so slow as the
dictator represents and that from among the mum.
Der who Will devote their time to the cult walton
OF simple music, tits probable that MANY will rise
| to take down the now dusty music sheets .'of the
| most celebrated authors Europe has ever boosted
| OF {" lour professional CORRESPONDENTS services
therefore, Will be in as great even greater de-
| lnand and receive their just reward He need bs
In no fear for his profession from the cultivation
OF popular music, or its introduction at the prom
enade concerts
| think have sufficiently answered Gan Ad
| mlrer OF GOOD Music" on the subjectmatter of hi.
eplstle, but that need not follow him when be
| flies the eagle" | hope that through your kind
ness In inserting those letters in the Star fol
| which thank you, an interest may be awakened
In the matter TO which they aIlude which will b.
productive of good. / am not the writer of IN,
| letters regarding the music on SUNDAYS which
| appeared lately in the Star
July lo, lo6O PRO Bono PUBLIco.