New-York tribune., 1875-02-16
RlTTER'S HISTORY OF MUSIC.

HISTORY or MUSIC IN TIE FORM OF LECTURES BY PaED.
ERo Louis rrta Professor OF Ia.e at vassa Coes seeo"a
lGmo. 32O Ohses Dlison 4 Co.
The six chapters of which tlis little book Is
composed originally formed q OF lectures doliv
cred by Prof Ritter the institution win which he Is
connected An introductory series was published Two
three years and third Is yet to come. The lee
lures have a serious and lasting value than
their modest Dimensions and unpretendiDg style might
lead reader TO imagine. Prot Ritter is real
musician and sound scholar and the pages now before
us contain the result of profound and extensive ac-
with the history science, and tendencies OF
his art as we'll tho evidences OF refined and correct
taste Musical lectures for unearned audiences are too
often mere superficial abridgmeuts OF the contents
Of current biographies and art cyclopediasj but
we have here the fruit OF original research
and the reflections of phosophic mind. The first vol
ume brought history Of Church Music 70 the time OF
Paestrna Opera to the period of Guck. and instr
mental music TO the epoch OF j. g. BLcn The present
series continues these three subjects TO tine,
and adds exceedingly valuable chapter ON Musical
Literature" with long catalogue ralsonn6 Of the most
important historical theoretical and critical works
various languages. English Church Music, Song Music,
and Music IN America are reserved the third vol
ume
Iii his chapter ou modern Church Music the author
traces gradual decline OF artiorm once noble and
inspiring until we reached a chaos in which music
as ali embodiment OF religious feeling threatens to be
entrely lost "Ths state Of things is hand. the
inevitable result OF the Indifference and Ignorance Of
those who stand at the head Of the government Of nu
ential churches and cathedras and the other the
fault mercenary haieduoaed organists and leaders
OF chors. have apart from ther peeuuiary Inter
est little sympathy with those religious acts celebrated
in front OF the organ-lof"
The only radical toward change for tho better
would be- in my opinion, TO o0ige every student OF
theology TO make himself ACQUAINTED up to certain
dsRrC
mpOston and, If possible to obtain some proficiency
singing With this, course o lectures on the his
tory Of church music prepared perienced artist
land not 10y shallow, specializing humbug) well ac-
QuaInted with al the sides Of the subject should be
placed within reach Of the studea Every university
seminary Of theology should have professorshp OF
sacred musical art. better and deeper appreciation
and enjoy ment OF fine, appropriate music n
furious the essential qualities OF minister; on the
contrary many good cle gymen have assured Inc that
the singing of noble anthem, dgni1ed setting OF the
mass rea sacred hymn has seemed TO improve their
widen their emotional hOriZOn and TO iill them with
heavenly JOY during the fulhment OF their sacred
labors. Tue next steps toward desirable ameorati0n
iu this direction would be to schools, VITA
the main purpose OF rendering the members OF church
ancient masters az well as Of more modern compost.
tiOns These schools, connected with the respective
of musicians made the study Of pure church
music, ancient as well as modern, specially. Such
course would bring about the desired reorms aud
give church music It's right place and It's iunc
uons Ii the works OF our modern composers lack that
religious character required by the traditions
or orship, appropriate selections should
be made among the thousands OF compositions which
have proved the nature OF their destination.
such plentifui. and only wait for the
loving hand 10 be brought " ight again II We must
have music In churcnes, why not try " nave
genuine artclef
The Comic Opera fills very interesting chapter and
another is devoted the remarkable development OF
the opera serid from Mozart 10 Wagner. Prof Ritter
gives merely sketch Of the chief composers OF this
era but a clear Of the differences their
methods, and the influence OF each upon the prog
ress Of art He has excellent and appreclative re-
view Of the position of Mozart udicious upon
spontini, Cherubini, Mehul, Meyerbeer the modern
Italian and English schools aud the host Of minor
composers who q more or less enduring popu
larty and a sketch 0f the German school
illustrated by spohr. Weber, aud Marschner In respect
To great musical battle Of time his position
that OF an impartial arbitrator rather than contestant
To Rossin no awards full OF praise and he
discusses the works and theories OF Wagner with upu
sual fairness moderation, and ability. The warmest ad
ers Of tho new school will not approve his judgment