New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-08-21
RICHARD WAGNER IND MUSIC IN
AHERTCJ

A correspondent at Leipsic describes in to-
days tribune visit to one Of the most re-
markable men of this generation. Whatever
may be thought of Wagner's theories OF art,
and however tastes may differ as to the quail
ties of his music, there can he no dispute az
to his intellectual emineice, and no doubt that
he has made that deep impression upon his
age which it is the privilege of genius only to
produce. In the history of music he will
always be a grand conspicuous figure. The
Importance Of musician is meas
ured not only by what he creates bnt
by what he inspires in others; and the
school which looks up to Wagner IA its master
is spread all over tho civilized world. There
is hardly one living composer of fair promise
whose thoughts have not been directed more
or less consciously by this strong controlling
mind, and whose style has not been in some
degree affected by his example. Even the best
representative of the contemporary Italian
school acknowledges in his rlpest work for
the stage the magnetic influence OF this extra
ordinary reformcr. The decisive test of Wag-
ner's musical theories, to be sure, has not yet
been made for that we await the crucial
experiment next Summer at Bayreuth but
however it may result, the composer OF " The
" Ring of the Niblung" has made mark which
will never be cfiaccd.
Wagner, we are told has watched the pro-
gress of musical culture in America with deep
interest, aud appreciates better perhaps than
our own people the means by which the rapid
advance in cur taste and knowledge during the
past five or six years has been brought about
The regular performances of orr one perma-
ncnt orchestra, the only musical organization
in America which rivals the famous bands OF
the great European capitals, have done great
deal for us, as Wagner truly observes. They
have taught us so to understand and enjoy
Wagncr's own music that the prophet of the
new school has doubtless more disciples in
New-York than in any city of Germany;
but that is only small part of what
they have done. Their best service has
been, first, in making the very highest
class of orchestral music favorite popular en-
tertainment instead of the amusement merely
of small and exclusive circle of exceptionally
cultivated people, and secondly in teaching us
to be dissatisfied with that respectable
mediOcrity in execution which has been the
bane of every kind of art in America as in
other new countries. Now that the masses
have begun to take an interest in LOber
things than waltzes, and operate pot pourris,
and to demand a very high order Of
excellence in the performance, we have, as
Wagner well says, something TO build upon"
Our next step ought to he to secure the
permanency and extend the beneticent influence
of these concerts, which have been so truly
our best educators IN art, by providing for
tbop, n faII all
seasons of the year. Here are scores of CAPT
taists walking about with their pockets full of
money that they do net know what to do with
and fear may turn to rags in their purses.
Cannot some of them find employment for
their enterprise and public spirit in giving
New-York an attractive and convenient build
ing and grounds for IN uninterrupted series of
the highest class of orchestral concerts