New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1873-04-07
MUSICAL HARMONY,
LECTURE BY PROP. LOUIS ELsBERG.

LECTURE BY PROP LOUIS ELSBERG.
The large hall of the Cooper Union was
crowded Saturday evening by an audience apprecia
tive rather than demOnstrave assembled TO listen 10
lecture by Prof. Louis Esberg, MD. on The Expana
ton of Musical Harmony" The lecture which occupied
one hour and half in delivery, illustrated by nu
experiments and images screen, aud though
slightly technical In some of its details was listened to
with marked attention throughout The lecturer began
by giving history Of musical progress. and went on to
show how sound may be analysed by means OF the
resOnators OF Helmholz described in previous lecture
BY means OF these demonstrated that all the
sounds occurring in nature though they may seem 20 bo
simple in reality compound composed OF several
tones. Where the tones unite and do no: form differ
ent tone the result is harmony, When, however. in
uniting third tone is produced the sensation expe-
renced is that OF dscord The speaker after summit
up the propositions established in his lectures concluded
in this manner:
Has IL not while you were listening, occurred TO You
that sound is the chief connecting link that establishes
relation TO fellow men Consider how much bet
of the blind who can hear and speak and sing
than the deaf and dumb whom sight alone untes to tho
world Both the highest means OF audible express
sion speech and music, have been developed from the
voice. and with few additional words upon the origin
function, and future OF music mainly cited from Helm
hOltz and Herbert Spencer, shall conclude.
There is physiological relation common to man and
all animals between emotion and muscular action, and
all the mOduatons of voice expressive OF feeling are tue
direct and necessary results OF this physiological rea-
ton In its beginnings and its simplest FORMS song was
",
notifications Of the voice; aud instrumental music has
out Of vocal By music can ne expressed the most
varied states Of feeling or OF mind though not exactly
the feeling or idea itself IL may happen when dneTent
persons describe what particular piece OF music
expresses that they differ widely In the meaning
ascrfbcd TO the music many would laugh at this differ
ence IL be perfectly rec0ncabe for music does
but their effect upon the soul and this each can best
describe by such circumstances as would be most likely
TO such effect ON him. Different passions may
under different circumstance Win Inherent indviuuas
produce similar states OF feeling, and similar passions
music cannot represent 1T. The emotions OF lover may
within wide limits music 10 able 10 represent
which love may produce but dreamy yearnng after ex-
qusite bliss is produced also by excessive religious en-
thuslasm. A piece OF music expressing this emotion
mayS therefore, without contradiction convey TO one
person the yearuing OF love and To another that OF re-
ligOus inspiration.
produces Herbert Spencer expresses as his con
yCtOn that In its bearing upon human happiness music,
the tOnean OF emotion, Is almost as important
the wOrdaDguage OF intellect Music Is the chief medium
and promoter of sympathy The increase OF sympathy
marks the difference between the cruelty OF the barbar
and the humanity of the civized IN friendship,
love- social intercourse, every domestic pleasure aud
every public benefacton II Is the essential element.
Music refresh the mind, soOthe or infame the
delight the heart or make sad II enuobles and
improves the aud customs OF nations In the
progressive evolution OF humanity feelings Of higher
and more complex knd, as yet experienced only by the
cultivated few, will become general aud there Will be
corresponding development of the emotional language
into more involved and yet moro Ineligible forms just
there has silently grown up language OF ideas,
which, rude 1t first enables us 10 convey
with precision the most subtle and complicated thoughts
there silently growing up language OF feelings
which, Notwithstanding It's present imperfection, we
may expect. will ultimately enable men, wildly
and completely 10 impress each other all the
which they experience. And music itself III s
nua development is an aid 70 the achievement Of that
higher happiness which II distinctly shadows forth
Those vague feelings of inexperienced and unspeakabe
felicity which music aroses those indefinite impressions
OF an unknown ideal life which IL calls up, may be
sdered as prophecy the fulfment OF which music
itself partly Instrumental Our capacity OF being
affected may be taken imply both that II n within the
possibility OF our nature 10 realize the intense ueghts
inly sugges ted aud that music itself is ia way
concerned in the realization"