The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1867-10-25
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 25, 1867.
,7-.,oord MusioaI Cultivation.


Wa are inst entering upon our annual musical
sassop. Various prospeotuses have already
baap issued promising us concerts, operas,
orchestral performances, and the usual round
NJ musioal entertainments. Probably the
most of our readers are looking forward to
their winters enjoyment, in good part, in
aone of these forms of musical recreation. Yet
how few there are who ever seriously reflect
upon what music really is, its influences on
individuals and society, and the uses to which
II might and ought to be put in the education
and elevation of the community at largel In
deed, some persons may question whether it |
has any real use at all. 1t is undoubtedly an
agreeable pastine, they will say; an hour or
two at concert must always be an agreeable
recreation, but how can it be Of any practical
Importance How can anything valuable or
lasting be learned from it2
Now, those who are familiar with the lives
and labOrs of the great composers of music
will hesitate much before they will say that
there Is no earnest meaning in a pursuit that
was adopted as the Hfe-work Of such men as
Mozart, Handel, Beethoven, and Mendelssohn.
Indeed, it was not so much adopted by them as
It was sent to them from above-a genuine gift
of genius, as real and sacred trust as any
other great power conferred upon man, and
looked upon by its possessors as faculty to
be used for the instruction, elevation, refine
ment, and lasting benefit of the human race.
Just in proportion as this view is taken of
music, both as a science and art, are its COM
posers, its performers, and its hearers worthy
Of its high origin. The works of many of the
great masters were composed with a deep and
earnest longing after all that is noble and
good-a sort of elevated enthusiasm not less
religious than artistic. Said CLICK, on finish
Ing one of his finest compositions: -"This
youngest child of my brain, this fruit of my
high and holy hours of devotion, is good
work / have placed in it the noblest emo
tions Of my soul, the purest feelings of my
heart, and my most elevated, most serious
thoughts -
But amid the great variety of styles Of
music, the many forms in which it reveals to
us its beauties, how shall we decide upon that
best adapted to the true cultivation of the
popular taste, and to make the deepest and
most lasting impression upon the popular
heart Probably the opera is the rnost widely
appreciated. In almost any community, o.
however little musical cultivation, fair opera
tic performance will always command good
audience and gain high praise; while the
success of symphony concerts will depend, tc
great extent, upon the previous musical
cultivation of the people; and it is rare tC
find anywhere more than a select few who
20 with delight to listen to quintette club
or to soloists performing the works tha
are technically called classical. Yet geniu!
has exercised itself in these various forms
of art. Mozart's Don Giovdnni and the FIdeli,
of Beethoven will prove that these great spirit
were glad to unite their power with that o
the histriOnic art to enchain the multitude
The delight of the opera is not purely mu
sioal. There is fascination about its repre-
sentations that holds as under spell many
whom the music alone, and in its severity
would not so greatly affect. Hence in con-
sidering the subject of music specifically, We
cannot help saying that there are other forms
than the opera which seem better adapted tC
educate and train the popular taste. The
sonatas of Mozart and Beethoven, the smaller
works of Schumann, Chopin, and Liszt, un
Iiho Vuo auOtueT as luey dr6 III many reSp6CCS
have this in common, that they inspire love
for pure art and dstaste for the puerilitiei
and trifing that characterize so much of oul
modern composition.
1t would be neither Improbable nor unin
teresting for us to dwell occasionally upor
some phases of the history of music, and tC
acquaint ourselves more thoroughly with
those great ones who, amid much privatio1
and care, with mingled ecstaoy and pain, in
terpreted to the world the noble thoughts tina
had been given them from above.
$50 works this music upon earth!
God so admits II, sends 10 forth,
add another worth TO worth.
A new creation bloom that rounds
The old creation, and expounds
hh beautiful In tuneful soundsW
Election of Gov. BrOwnIow-A Lesson
THB election of Governor Brownlow as United
States Senator from the State of Tennessee /
deserved recognition OF his important SCI
vices to the cause of the Union, and of hi
great ability and success as the exseutive off
Ger Of that State. That Tennessee has haze
so thoroughly reconstructed, and is now s
firmly based upon Republican principles.
due in higher degree to Governor Brownie
than to any other man. He has been bolt
persistent and unAagging in his efforts
seoure the thorough redemption of his Stat