The Portland daily press., 1872-06-29
ERMs $500 PER ANNUM, IN ADVANCE.

harp that once" doesn't do so any more-in
short, when the Jubilee is over, we think
that the real benefit of the thing will begin to
pe apparent. The prospect of the great fes-
ti'ai mas awakened new interest in music in
many places and has led to the formation of
many chorai societies. Part-singing is, in it
self beneficial, accustoming the ear to har-
monies as well as to melody, and requiring
precision and accuracy sometimes overlooked
in solo performances. And the practice of
really good compositions, of which there are
many in the book used by the chorus at the
Coliseum. cannot fail to elevate in some de-
gree the popular taste in music. There is
great need of intelligent and appreciative lis
teners-and to enjoy good music it is neces-
sary to be accustomed to hear it. Home
practice too often consists of snowy variations
on popular airs, jingling polkas, and songs of
which words and melody are equally and
hopelessly commonplace. In the concert
room, the case is frequently the same. There
are, OF course, many conscientious artists
who interpret ithe finest compositions with
true devotion to their art but their unpreten-
tious performances are soon deserted for the
concerts of the next great uirtuoso who puts
in an appearance. and whose abnormal hat,
eccentric manner, or quadrumanous style of
playing, excites attention. Aperormer must,
to certain degree, adapt his programme
to his audience, and after long, expensive
studies he can rarely afford to use his time
and strength without remuneration. If
oh. e. ~..1 -
bird'' will provide support for his family, why,
he asks, should he play the Moonlight So
nata, to empty benches? And here it is
that reform mnst begin with the public. If
system of musical instruction like that en-
ployed in Germany, could be introduced into
our public schools, it would be the sTest
means of accomplishing this end. Part-sing-
ing, ensemble playing, lectures not too tech
nical for the non-professional student might
be used. In the Boston schools, similar
system of musical training has already led to
good results. We do not pretend that all are
capable ofthreading the contrapuntal mazes
OF Bach, of understanding the profound rev.
elations of Beethoven, or of sympathizing
with all the passionate moods of Chopin.
But there are simple ideas, clearly presented
by all the great masters, which any uninitiat-
edmusieal taste cannot fail to enjoy, so work
ing its way gradually upward. "Melody," says
a writer on music sis the war-cry of anna
teurs." This is natural, and consequently
right. But where can be found melodies
more real and more spontaneous than in the
works of Haydn and Mozart? We would not
at all condemn popular music" as such;
there are songs, made dear to the hearts of
the people by tender association, and in Folk
song is an inexhaustible fountain of melody,
from which the greatest composers have drawn
largely. But it is vulgarism in music against
which we protest, for instance, the mild dilu-
ton of combined economy and fllial affection
expressed in make me jacket of Pas old
coat or worse, the coarse jollity of ''Cham-
pagne Charlie" Such worthless tunes stead
lily lower musical taste and prepare the gener-
alpublic to join in the applause that halls the
ODPr1 bOufp